Latest news with #TheCurragh
New Paper
16-07-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Minnie Hauk up for major Oaks double
Such is Aidan O'Brien's outrageous dominance in UK racing, especially on his Irish home soil, that an enviable record of seven trophies in the Group 1 Irish Oaks (2,400m) is oddly enough, not among one of his most prominent silverware hauls. The Ballydoyle maestro breaks records like a broken record in classics like the English Derby (11) or Irish Derby (17), to name a few, but somehow, he has been "less prolific" with the fillies in the British isles classics. Seven is also his score in the Group 1 Epsom Oaks (2,400m), but, amazingly, he is still by a long chalk the leading trainer for the Irish version despite the softer grip on the 130-year-old The Curragh €500,000 (S$747,000) showpiece. The statistics tell the story. Despite O'Brien's peerless 30-year-long success story, he racked up his first Irish Oaks success only at his 10th year of training in 2006 with Alexandrova. It has not been a case of the floodgates being flung wide open since, but the last 18 years have seen his tally boosted significantly, with Savethelastdance his last triumph in 2023 - and he is now odds-on to extend it to eight on Saturday, July 19. Not only does he saddle the ante-post odds-on (1-3) favourite Minnie Hauk, but his Coolmore entries also outnumber his rivals' with two-thirds of the nine-horse field. The six-horse assault could, however, be shaved off of one or two, who unfortunately would have made for a more mouth-watering "sisterly" clash. In a stirring Ballydoyle 1-2 battle to the line, Whirl was only overhauled late in the Epsom Oaks (2,400m) on June 6, but after she won the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes (2,000m) three weeks later, O'Brien has inferred that the 5-1 chance was a doubtful Irish Oaks starter. Arguably, forgoing the Big Two is a luxury the powerful outfit can afford given Minnie Hauk's upside and seemingly bottomless depth. Among the remaining four, Butterfly Wings, Island Hopping and Merrily may be rightly seen as a few lengths behind Minnie Hauk, and just making up the numbers, but French Oaks (Group 1 Prix de Diane over 2,100m) runner-up Bedside Story is hardly a token runner. However, the four-time winner by Frankel, a 13-2 quote, could also be a non-runner at declaration time. "They probably won't both run, I'd imagine," said O'Brien. "We were thinking that Whirl and Bedtime Story might go for the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood over 10 furlongs. "Whirl came back to a mile and a quarter last time in the Pretty Polly and she was happy over that distance. "Minnie Hauk has been fine since Epsom, she had a little break and everything has been good since." Even if the squad is whittled down to four, the highest chance of seeing the O'Brien-Coolmore team's strength in numbers translated into success remains with Minnie Hauk. The Frankel filly is only lightly raced, having won her last three from four starts, including an Oaks lead-up at Chester, but O'Brien and his team have kept her brewing nicely at her Tipperary headquarters for the Epsom-Irish Oaks double. The feat is not uncommon, with half of the 10 bidders in the last 20 years pulling it off. Ominously, the last record holder is an O'Brien, Snowfall who won by a combined aggregate of more than 24 lengths, incidentally handing her trainer only his second Epsom-Irish Oaks double since Alexandrova. The Epsom Oaks winning roster has not featured a vintage crop since Snowfall. None among Tuesday (2022), Soul Sister (2023) and Ezeliya (2024) has won again. But there is a general sentiment Minnie Hauk could buck the trend - or rekindle that Classic double - on Saturday at 10.40pm Singapore time. Besides the rivalry from within her own stable, she will still have to contend with the remaining ticket holders. O'Brien's son Joseph's Wemightakedlongway, James "Fozzy" Stack's Bay Colony and Johnny Murtagh's Subsonic are the only other confirmed starters. On paper, the chances of an O'Brien toppler among that trio look remote, even if Wemightakedlongway did run fourth to Minnie Hauk in the Epsom Oaks and again fourth in the Pretty Polly Stakes, and Subsonic ran a ½-length second to Minnie Hauk at Leopardstown on debut in October. manyan@
Gulf Today
01-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Lambourn makes history in 18th Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh Racecourse
The 18th Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby took centre stage at the iconic Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare. In a thrilling renewal of Ireland's premier flat race, Lambourn powered home to victory, securing the title for the winning connections of trainer, Aidan O'Brien, jockey Ryan Moore and winning owners John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, continuing the race's legacy of elite international competition. Lambourn etched his name in racing history, joining an elite group as only the 20th horse to achieve the coveted Epsom–Irish Derby double. The event marked Dubai Duty Free's 18th year as title sponsor of the Irish Derby, underscoring the company's deep-rooted commitment to Irish racing and its long-standing relationship with The Curragh. Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, along with his wife Alpana Cidambi, welcomed 100 guests to the exclusive St. Leger Suite, offering spectacular views of the track, the parade ring and the winning post. Guests were treated to a gourmet lunch, refined afternoon tea and a variety of live and immersive entertainment throughout the day. Also in attendance was Salah Tahlak, Deputy Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, and Sinead El Sibai, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Dubai Duty Free alongside key international guests. Speaking after the race, Cidambi said, 'We are proud to celebrate 18 years of sponsoring The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. This event represents the perfect blend of sporting excellence, Irish culture and warm hospitality. Congratulations to all the winning connections and my thanks to The Curragh team for a truly exceptional day.' A particularly poignant moment came with the running of the Colm McLoughlin Celebration Stakes, held in tribute to Colm McLoughlin, the former Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free who sadly passed away in 2024. The race honoured Colm's immense contribution to the sport and the unique bond enjoyed between Dubai and Ireland. The special race was presented by Colm's wife, Breeda McLoughlin who was joined by members of Colm's family. The Dubai Duty Free Best Dressed Competition once again drew a dazzling array of racegoers, all eager to impress the style panel. This year's lead judge was celebrity chef Clodagh McKenna, who was joined by Alpana Cidambi and Bairbre Power, fashion and lifestyle editor. After careful deliberation, Angela Belle McSweeney from Sydney, Australia was named Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Best Dressed 2025 with a look that perfectly captured sophistication and flair.
Irish Examiner
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Your sport on TV this week: Armagh v Kerry, Lions take on Western Force and European Athletics Team Championships
Don't Miss: The All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals take place this weekend with all games taking place in Croke Park. Up first are Monaghan and Donegal with Tyrone taking on Dublin in the second clash on Saturday. Sunday sees Meath go head-to-head with Galway and the final game of the weekend will be last year's All-Ireland champions Armagh taking on Kerry. All games will be live on RTÉ and GAA+. Set the Sky Box: The British and Irish Lions Tour kicks off in Australia this weekend when the Lions will take on Western Force in the Optus Stadium in Perth. The Lions will be hoping to bounce back from their loss to Argentina in the Aviva last Friday. Watch the games live on Sky Sports. Streaming Pick: The 2025 European Athletics Team Championships take place in Madrid this week where 16 nations will compete in the Division One competition. There are three divisions and Ireland will take part in the second division of the competition in Maribor, Slovenia having won in the third tier in 2023. The top three teams will be promoted to Division One while the bottom three teams will be relegated to Division Three. Watch all the action live on European Athletics TV or the Eurovision Sport app. For all your sport throughout the year, check out our sport calendar. Friday June 27 2am, USA v Rep of Ireland, Women's International Friendly, RTÉ Player 2am, RB Salzburg v Real Madrid, Club World Cup, DAZN 12pm, Austrian Grand Prix, Practice, Sky Sports F1 12.30pm, Italian Open, DP World Tour, Sky Sports Golf 2pm, German Masters, LET, Sky Sports Mix 4pm, Dow Championship, LPGA, Sky Sports+ 5.10pm, Madrid European Team Championships, Athletics, Eurovision Sport TV 5.10pm, The Curragh, Racing, TG4 5.30pm, Rocket Mortgage Classic, PGA Tour, Sky Sports Golf 7.45pm, Cork City v St Patrick's Athletic, SSE Airtricity Premier Division, Virgin Media Two 8pm, Hull KR v Wakefield, Super League, Sky Sports+ 8pm, Leeds v Leigh, Super League, Sky Sports+ Read More The Gaelic Football Show: Kerry and Galway's big calls and no fairness for Donegal Saturday June 28 11am, Western Force v B&I Lions, British and Irish Lions Tour, Sky Sports Action 11.15am, Austrian Grand Prix, Practice and qualifying, Sky Sports F1 12.30pm, Italian Open, DP World Tour, Sky Sports Golf 1.30pm, The Curragh, Racing, TG4 1.30pm, Newcastle, York and The Curragh, Racing, RTÉ 2 2pm, German Masters, LET, Sky Sports Mix 2pm, England v India, 1st T20, Sky Sports Cricket and Showcase 2pm, ATP Mallorca final, Tennis, Sky Sports Mix 5pm, Rocket Mortgage Classic, PGA Tour, Sky Sports Golf 5.15pm, Clare v Waterford, All-Ireland MHC final, TG4 5.30pm, Catalans Dragons v Huddersfield, Super League, Sky Sports+ 5.30pm, Warrington v Hull FC, Super League, Sky Sports+ 8pm, Castleford v Wigan, Super League, Sky Sports+ 8pm, Dow Championship, LPGA, Sky Sports+ 8pm, Euro U21 final, Channel 4 8.05pm, Toulouse v Bordeaux Bègles, Top 14 final, Premier Sports 1 Read More Dalo's Hurling Show: This game would make a fool out of you Sunday June 29 3am, Ilia Topuria v Charles Oliveira, UFC, TNT Sports 1 11.30am, Italian Open, DP World Tour, Sky Sports Golf 12.15pm, GP of Netherlands, MOTOGP, TNT Sports 2 12.30pm, Austrian Grand Prix, Race, Sky Sports F1 1pm, German Masters, LET, Sky Sports Mix 1.45pm, Meath v Galway, All-Ireland SFC quater-final, RTÉ 2 2.10pm, The Curragh, Racing, RTÉ One 2.30pm, Australia v South Africa, World Rugby U20 Championship, RugbyPass TV 3pm, St Helens v Salford RR, Super League, Sky Sports+ 4.30pm, Rocket Mortgage Classic, PGA Tour, Sky Sports Golf 5pm, England v Jamaica, Women's International Friendly, UTV 5pm, France v Spain, World Rugby U20 Championship, RugbyPass TV 5pm, Ireland v Georgia, World Rugby U20 Championship, RugbyPass TV 7.30pm, Argentina v Wales, World Rugby U20 Championship, RugbyPass TV 7.30pm, New Zealand v Italy, World Rugby U20 Championship, RugbyPass TV 8pm, USA v Rep of Ireland, Women's International Friendly, RTÉ 2 8pm, Dow Championship, LPGA, Sky Sports+ Read More Kieran Shannon: Dublin's win was that rarest of GAA treasures - the championship shock
Daily Telegraph
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Storm Boy to race at The Curragh in Greenlands Stakes
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Coolmore's crack colt Storm Boy is set to make his international debut at Ireland's The Curragh racecourse next week. Trainer Aidan O'Brien has entered the former brilliant Sydney sprinter for the Group 3 Greenlands Stakes on May 24 in preparation for a Royal Ascot campaign aimed at the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Stakes next month. This is the same program O'Brien set for another former Australian sprinter, Merchant Navy, who won both races seven years ago. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'We have entered Storm Boy for the Greenlands Stakes,'' confirmed Tom Magnier, the boss of Coolmore Australia. 'It's going to be a surprisingly good field, there are a lot of top sprinters entered for that race. 'But I know Aidan is very happy with Storm Boy and the plan is to run him at The Curragh next week.'' Storm Boy was trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott to win five of his 10 starts including last year's Magic Millions 2yo Classic, Group 2 Skyline Stakes and Group 3 San Domenico Stakes, earning more than $3.5 million prizemoney. • RICHARD CALLANDER: He rubs the old guard the wrong way, but racing needs Benny Scarf Coolmore purchased Storm Boy for an undisclosed sum believed to be around $20 million before the Golden Slipper last year in which the colt ran third to stablemate Lady Of Camelot. Storm Boy was sent to Ireland after he ran eighth in The Everest to Bella Nipotina last October. Magnier said Storm Boy had thrived since joining O'Brien's famous Ballydoyle stables and there was a sense of optimism about the colt's chances in the feature sprints during the northern hemisphere summer. 'Aidan is having an unbelievable start to the season, his horses are flying, and he has said Storm Boy is in a really good place,'' Magnier said. 'Ryan Moore will ride Storm Boy next week and we are going to learn a lot on the day. We are hoping to get the horse to Royal Ascot but we will see what happens in the Greenlands.'' Originally published as 'Thriving' Storm Boy set for northern hemispher debut in Group 3 Greenlands Stakes at The Curragh
News.com.au
12-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Thriving' Storm Boy set for UK debut in Group 3 Greenlands Stakes at The Curragh
Coolmore's crack colt Storm Boy is set to make his international debut at Ireland's The Curragh racecourse next week. Trainer Aidan O'Brien has entered the former brilliant Sydney sprinter for the Group 3 Greenlands Stakes on May 24 in preparation for a Royal Ascot campaign aimed at the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Stakes next month. This is the same program O'Brien set for another former Australian sprinter, Merchant Navy, who won both races seven years ago. 'We have entered Storm Boy for the Greenlands Stakes,'' confirmed Tom Magnier, the boss of Coolmore Australia. 'It's going to be a surprisingly good field, there are a lot of top sprinters entered for that race. 'But I know Aidan is very happy with Storm Boy and the plan is to run him at The Curragh next week.'' Storm Boy was trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott to win five of his 10 starts including last year's Magic Millions 2yo Classic, Group 2 Skyline Stakes and Group 3 San Domenico Stakes, earning more than $3.5 million prizemoney. Storm Boy thunders away in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic! ⛈ï¸� @GaiWaterhouse1 @mmsnippets @GCTurfClub — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 13, 2024 Coolmore purchased Storm Boy for an undisclosed sum believed to be around $20 million before the Golden Slipper last year in which the colt ran third to stablemate Lady Of Camelot. Storm Boy was sent to Ireland after he ran eighth in The Everest to Bella Nipotina last October. Magnier said Storm Boy had thrived since joining O'Brien's famous Ballydoyle stables and there was a sense of optimism about the colt's chances in the feature sprints during the northern hemisphere summer. 'Aidan is having an unbelievable start to the season, his horses are flying, and he has said Storm Boy is in a really good place,'' Magnier said. ' Ryan Moore will ride Storm Boy next week and we are going to learn a lot on the day. We are hoping to get the horse to Royal Ascot but we will see what happens in the Greenlands.''
