The Curragh Racecourse – Home of the Classics
Join us at the Curragh in 2010 with an exciting line up of 19 race days from March to October. The County Kildare venue is one of the most famous horse racing venues in the world with the very best horses and riders lining up in some of the greatest and most prestigious international races
A day at the Curragh races provides all the ingredients for the perfect fun day out with family, friends or business associates
The racecourse offers a variety of excellent food and beverage outlets including private hospitality suites overlooking the racecourse, silver service dining in the Horseshoe Restaurant, Bollinger Champagne Bar and Bistro and a variety of quality fast food outlets located throughout the family friendly venue
Themed days throughout the year aimed at families, followers of fashion, food enthusiasts and music fans ensure there is something for everyone
It is also an excellent location to brand, promote and market a business or product, while also the ideal venue to entertain customers and guests.
Go Racing In Kildare members enjoy a variety of exclusive privileges including access to members viewing area and Bar together with reserved car parking
Highlights of the 2010 season include
The Irish 1000 and 2000 Guineas 22nd & 23rd May
Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival 25th to 27th June
Darley Irish Oaks Weekend 17th & 18th July
Autumn Festival featuring The Irish Field St Leger 11th & 12th September
Laughing Lashes set for Moyglare Stud Stakes
Laughing Lashes could test the water at the highest level on her next start following a stylish victory in the Debutante Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.
The grey headed into the Group Two contest on the back of two narrow defeats but opened her account in impressive style under Fran Berry.
Her trainer Jessica Harrington was thrilled with that performance and is considering the Moyglare Stud Stakes as her next objective, for which she would have to be supplemented at a cost of €23,500.
“She has come out of the race absolutely fine and is out in the field enjoying herself this morning,” said the Co Kildare handler.
“She seems to be improving all the time and I think that little bit of cut in the ground they had on Sunday helped her as she’s a big filly.
“We haven’t had a proper discussion yet but I am leaning towards supplementing her for the Moyglare (August 29).
“It would be another step up but she’s a Group Two winner now and has earned this step up.”
Looking ahead to next season, Harrington feels she could have a real Classic contender on her hands, but is keen not to get too far ahead of herself.
“I hope she could be a Guineas filly next season and maybe even an Oaks filly, as I do think she’d stay,” Harrington added.
“But we’ll take it all one day at a time with her. It’s still a long way off and we have to get through the winter yet.
“She does want a bit of cut in the ground so we’ll have to bear that in mind and maybe that would cause us to lean towards staying in Ireland.”
Zoffany wins Keeneland Phoenix Stakes
ZOFFANY was quoted at 8-1 for the 2,000 Guineas by William Hill after coming with a storming late run under Johnny Murtagh to mow down 4-9 favourite Strong Suit, who could finish only third behind the Aidan O'Brien-trained winner and Glor Na Mara
Richard Hughes, who had always been near the front aboard Strong Suit, tried to take control of the race with a furlong and a half to run, but was consistently harried by Glor Na Mara on his outside.
But it was 3-1 shot Zoffany, beaten eight and a quarter legnths by Strong Suit in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, who burst between the two leaders inside the final furlong and went clear to win byhalf a length, leaving Glor Na Mara only able to overhaul the Richard Hannon-trained favourite for second.
Strong Suit, a general 5-1 and 6-1 chance for the Guineas before this defeat, was quoted by Paddy Power at 12-1 for the Newmarket Classic, while prices for Glor Na Mara, trained by Jim Bolger, ranged from 10-1 to 20-1.
O'Brien, who has won 11 of the past 13 Phoenix Stakes, said of Zoffany: "He was very babyish at Ascot and his two races since have taught him a lot. All the time he's getting heavier and he's thriving on his racing so we'll keep him going.
"The Group 1 National Stakes [September 11] could be next, but we'll take it step by step. He's got seven furlongs easily twice, so a mile wouldn't be a problem."
Murtagh added: "He was too keen at Ascot and his last runs have taught him how to settle. He did it well today - the good pace suited him and he got a lovely run."
Richard Hannon jnr said of the beaten favourite: "Of course it's a bit disappointing and he hasn't confirmed the Coventry form over the winner. I thought looking at the race, he was in trouble a furlong out.
"We got beaten,but we'll get him home and scope him to see if there's anything wrong."
Jim Bolger, trainer of the runner-up, said: "I was very pleased. It was a very good run considering he's a novice. There's no immediate plans, but we'relooking at the Dewhurst [October 16] as an end-of-season target."
FAME AND GLORY, absent since winning the Investec Coronation Cup at thestart of June, returned to action with a comfortable victory in the Group 2 Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.
The Montjeu colt was winning for the fourth consecutive time this season and came clear of his four rivals to lead home a one-two-three for trainer Aidan O'Brien.
Despite the ease of his success, Fame And Glory was left unchanged for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc deTriomphe - his main target for the rest of the season - at Longchamp on October 3.
Paddy Power left him at 5-2 and Stan James remained 3-1, although he heads both firm's betting after the career-threatening injury former Arc favourite Harbinger suffered on Saturday.
O'Brien, however, was pleased with thedisplay, saying: "That was just great - just what he needed after his mid-summer break."
O'Brien, who was winning the Royal Whip for the seventh time, added: "The choices now are the Irish Champion Stakes [September 4] or the Prix Foy [September 12]. We'll see which races fits best.
"The Arc has always been on the horizon, but we'll take each race as it comes."
Ridden by Johnny Murtagh, who partnered the O'Brien-trained Spin to win the opener at the Curragh on Sunday, Fame And Glory raced in third place with stablemates Dixie Music and Grand Admiral setting a decent gallop up front.
He was never extended in picking that pair up, returning the 1-12 favourite, while Choose Me and Precious Gem failed to make any impression after tracking Fame And Glory in the early part of the race.
Dixie Music, described before the race as Fame And Glory's "friend" by O'Brien, held on for second place at 66-1.
LAUGHING LASHES, trained by Jessica Harrington and ridden by Fran Berry, broke her maiden to land the Debutante Stakes by a length from the Aidan O'Brien-trained Misty For Me.
O'Brien was also responsible for the third, 6-4 favourite Together, who disappointed under Johnny Murtagh, hanging across the track and into the whip in the final furlong.
Winning trainer Jessica Harrington said: "We're absolutely delighted. The plan was to come up the middle so as not to get trapped. She did it very well and it's great to have the man in form Fran Berry on board - he's riding out of his skin at the moment.
"She'll possibly have one more run, but she'll have to be supplemented." Options could include the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh on August 29 or the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp on Arc day in October.
Fran Berry, fresh from helping Ireland defend the Shergar Cup on Saturday and landing top jockey honours himself, jumped Laughing Lashes to anearly lead but she was swamped in the first furlong by the O'Brien runners Gemstone and Misty For Me, who were keen to ensure a strong pace.
Berry sat his mount alongside Murtagh and those sat off the pace struggled to get into it as the first three home were never out the first four.
The strong pace meant the jockeys were hard at work with two furlongs to go and while Murtagh had the favourite close enough, he never looked a threat to the winner, as she veered across the track. There was little Murtagh could do on Together as the two-time winner threw her race away.
Berry kept his mount straight and while having to battle to hold off Seamie Heffernan and Misty For Me inside the final furlong, he was always on top. The 5-1 shot, who was tipped by Tom Segal for Pricewise Extra members at 8-1, was workmanlike but impressive, earning quotes 16-1 for next year's 1,000 Guineas.
Air Chief Marshall wins wwwthetote.com Minstrel Stakes
AIR CHIEF MARSHAL made it two wins in a week when he powered to victory in the Group 3 Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday
The Aidan O'Brien-trained son of Danehill had gone 11 races without success before triumphing on the all-weather at Dundalk onMonday and he showed no signs of tiredness under Johnny Murtagh.
Tracking the pacemaking Duff, Air Chief Marshal, a 5-1 chance, took over with three furlongsto run and quickly had things sewn up.
Duff, who returned at 14-1, held on for second, while Totesport Victoria Cup winner Dandy Boy was third at 5-1.
Air Chief Marshal, whose win completed a double for Murtagh and O'Brien after Misty For Me's win in the opener at the Curragh, holds an entry in the Group 2 Totesport.com Celebration Mile at Goodwood on August 28.
Ireland to host 4 Breeders Cup Challenge races
NEW YORK - (June 24, 2010) — The Breeders’ Cup announced today that four of Ireland’s most prestigious races have been selected for the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Challenge series. The winners of all four Irish races will earn automatic starting berths into the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Nov. 5-6.
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge is an international series of 65 stakes races, whose winners earn qualifying positions into a corresponding race at the World Championships. This year, Breeders’ Cup has increased the international Challenge races from 12 to 14 events, and they will be held at the world’s premier racetracks in Australia (Randwick and Moonee Valley), England (Ascot and Newmarket), France (Deauville and Longchamp) and Hong Kong (Sha Tin), in addition to The Curragh, Leopardstown and Dundalk. The 2010 Breeders' Cup Challenge races will begin in the U.S. on July 3 with qualifying events from Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey: the United Nations (gr. I) on turf, and the Salvator Mile (gr. III).
The first of the four Irish Challenge races is the Moyglare Stud (G1) for 2-year-old fillies at The Curragh on Aug. 29. The Moyglare Stud is an automatic qualifier for the $1 million (US) Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at 1 mile; the Tattersalls Million Irish Champion Stakes (G1) at 1 ¼ miles for 3-year-olds and up on Sept. 4 at Leopardstown, an automatic qualifier for the $3 million Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf at 1 ½ miles; the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (G1) on Sept. 11 for an automatic starting berth in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and The Diamond Stakes (GIII) at Dundalk on Oct. 1, for 3-year-olds and up, is an automatic qualifier for the $500,000 (US) Breeders’ Cup Marathon at 1 ¾ miles.
DATE TRACK IRISH BREDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE RACES BREEDERS’ CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS RACE
Aug. 29 Curragh Moyglare Stud Stakes $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf
Sept. 11 Curragh Vincent O’Brien National Stakes $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf
Sept.4 Leopardstown Tattersalls Million Irish Champion Stakes $3 million Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf
Oct. 1 Dundalk The Diamond Stakes $500,000 Breeders’ Cup Marathon
All four Breeders Cup Challenge races in Ireland will also receive an additional $37,500 (US) from the Breeders’ Cup in Owners’ Premiums to the first three finishers in the race. These races are among 13 international Challenge races that will be enhanced in Owners’ Premiums for horses nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program.
“In just four years, the Breeders’ Cup Challenge has grown into a viable series that creates increased domestic and international awareness on a weekly basis throughout the summer and fall for our Championships while promoting the best of Thoroughbred racing from around the globe,” said Breeders’ Cup President and CEO Greg Avioli. “We are especially excited about the strong demand to host this year’s Challenge races from so many of the top racing associations in the world and look forward to four outstanding Irish races as part of this year’s series.”
Brian Kavanagh, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland said “the introduction of the Breeders Cup Challenge races to Ireland last year was a very welcome development, producing one Breeders Cup winner in its first year. We welcome the extension of this relationship with Breeders Cup Ltd, and look forward to further Irish success at this most prestigious meeting.”
· The international Breeders’ Cup Challenge began in April with the Darley T.J. Smith Stakes (G1) at Randwick in Australia, which was won by Melito (AUS), who qualified for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Later that month, Able One (NZ) was victorious in the Champions Mile (G1) at Sha Tin in Hong Kong to earn an automatic spot in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
· In addition to the four Irish races, the other stakes races on the international Challenge schedule are: the Sportingbet Manikato Stakes (G1) at Moonee Valley in Australia on Sept. 24 followed by three races at Ascot on Sept 25, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes presented by Sony (G1) a qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Mile, the Meon Valley Stud Fillies’ Mile (G1) for an automatic spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and the Juddmonte Royal Lodge (G2) for a position in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. The Emirates Airline Champion Stakes (G1) from Newmarket on Oct. 16, for a starting position in the $3 million Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf, concludes the overseas qualifiers.
· The North American racetracks participating in the series are as follows: Belmont Park in New York, Del Mar near San Diego, Calder Race Course in Miami, Arlington Park in Chicago, Emerald Downs in Seattle; Delaware Park and Philadelphia Park in the Middle Atlantic; Turfway Park and Keeneland in Kentucky; Santa Anita Park near Los Angeles and Woodbine in Toronto.
· In 2009, 32 Breeders’ Cup Challenge race winners competed in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Three of them won races at the Championships, led by Zenyatta, who became the first female horse to win the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, Informed Decision, who won the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, and California Flag, who captured the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.
About Breeders’ Cup
The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships. The Breeders’ Cup also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, and the Breeders’ Cup Stakes Program, which will provide racetracks and horsemen nearly $4 million in purse enhancements this year. Total purses for this year’s two-day event at Churchill Downs, Nov. 5-6, will be $26 million. The 2009 Breeders’ Cup delivered nearly $125 million in winning wagers to fans at betting locations around the globe. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup Web site, http://www.breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter and on YouTube.
For further information pls contact:-
Jim Gluckson, Breeders’ Cup ((JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) - 212-230-9512
Jason Howarth, Conover Tuttle Pace ((JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) - 617-412-4000
Shane Doyle, Racing Planning Manager, Horse Racing Ireland ((JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) – 00353 45 455455