Curragh braced for Classic rematch in 160th Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby

The Curragh Racecourse is gearing up for the 160th running of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby this Sunday and a rematch between the first three horses home in this year’s Epsom Derby is on the cards.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Lambourn never saw another rival on his way to an impressive victory in Epsom and Ryan Moore’s intended mount heads the 10-strong field of runners in contention for Sunday’s €1,250,000 showpiece following the latest entry stage today. The impressive son of 2014 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winner Australia is likely to face off against his nearest rivals from Epsom, Lazy Griff for trainer Charlie Johnston and the Joseph O’Brien-trained Tennessee Stud, who were second and third respectively.

Joseph O'Brien, who won the race as a jockey in 2012 on Camelot and then in 2014 on Australia, will be hoping to repeat the feat of 2018 when he saddled Latrobe to win his first Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby as a trainer and O'Brien is hopeful of another big run from Tennessee Stud.

"We were very proud of Tennessee Stud's run in Epsom," O'Brien said. 

"He got back a little bit early but he came home very strong. The plan is to come back to the Curragh and so far his preparation has gone smoothly. We are excited about a rematch with Lambourn and probably a couple of others."

O'Brien added: "Tennessee Stud is open to a lot of improvement. His first run of the year was off an extended lay off, he came forward a lot from that run in Epsom where he ran a career best and we'd love if he could run another career best in the Curragh."

Ralph Beckett, himself no stranger to big race success on the Curragh and a Dubai Duty Free winning trainer with Westover in 2022, is likely to be strongly represented in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby as Dante Stakes winner Pride Of Arras will be joined by stable companion Sir Dinadan.

Jessica Harrington will once again seek to etch her name into the annals of history as the talented Green Impact represents the Commonstown Stables. Green Impact has Classic experience under his belt after a good run in the English 2,000 Guineas he has since bounced back to win at Leopardstown on his way to Sunday’s challenge.

Lambourn’s stable mates Puppet Master, Shackleton and Thrice complete the possible line up for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

Ireland’s most prestigious race forms part of a nine race card and will see seven €100,000 races down for decision with the concluding Dubai Duty Free Irish EBF Stayers Handicap carrying a prize of €50,000.

The Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes could see last year’s winner My Mate Alfie bid to score again for trainer Ger Lyons, while similarly in the Colm McLoughlin Celebration Stakes, last year’s hero Lord Massusus is among the entries for Group 1 winning trainer Joe Murphy.

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival begins on Friday evening with an eight race card and the first taste of Group 1 action comes on Saturday with a hotly contested renewal of the Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes.

A total of 15 fillies have been left in contention for Saturday’s feature race and included among the acceptors are Aidan O’Brien’s Epsom Oaks runner-up Whirl and the Joseph O’Brien-trained Wemightakedlongway who was fourth in Epsom.

Andrew Balding’s Group 1 winner Kalpana is set for a return to the Curragh having finished third in the Tattersalls Gold Cup here last month and there could also be a French runner in the Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes as Nicolas Clement & Flo Hermans have left Group 1 runner-up Survie in the race.

Trainer Paddy Twomey, the last Irish-based trainer to win the race when scoring in 2022 with La Petite Coco, is well represented in the Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes with six of the 15 entries headed by 2023 Goffs Million winner One Look and last year’s Juddmonte Irish Oaks third Purple Lily.

Saturday will see the legendary Curragh trainer Kevin Prendergast fondly remembered with the Group 3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai International Stakes being run in Kevin’s honour following his passing last week.

Malih Al Basti, founder and CEO of Al Basti Equiworld Dubai commented: “Kevin was dear friend for many years and will be much missed by the international racing community. His legacy will live on through the many racing professionals who continue to benefit from the expertise and knowledge he shared throughout his distinguished career.” Prendergast’s Curragh-based colleague Dermot Weld could be represented by the returning Elizabeth Jane, who was last seen winning the Trigo Stakes back in October.

Saturday’s programme also features the Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes in which the Ger Lyons-trained Lady Iman will bid to continue her impressive sequence of victories having won her first three career starts.

A pair of Aidan O’Brien-trained course and distance winners top the field for the Group 3 Jebel Ali Racecourse Anglesey Stakes as Brussels and Flushing Meadows head the field which also features the Ger Lyons-trained Cork winner Suzie Songs.

Pat O’Donnell, who memorably teamed up with his daughter Slyvia and stable star Extensio to win the Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes Ladies Derby in 2022, could bid to repeat the feat with Hemight in Saturday’s renewal.