Tuesday O'Brien's Sole Entrant for Dubai Duty Free Curragh Derby

Aidan - one entrant, but both O'Brien sons represented too.

Aidan O'Brien will rely solely on his Epsom Oaks winner Tuesday as he bids to win the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby for a record 15th time at the Curragh on Saturday. 

His star filly, the mount of Ryan Moore, heads a field of eight runners for the weekend highlight with the main opposition set to come from the Ralph Beckett-trained Westover, bidding to improve on his third-placing in the Epsom Derby with champion jockey Colin Keane taking over in the saddle. David Menuisier’s Lionel, the mount of Jamie Spencer, is a second British-trained raider. 

Hannibal Barca, winner of the Heider Family Stables Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh on his first start in Ireland last month, is Joseph O'Brien’s only runner while his brother Donnacha will be represented by Piz Badile. Paddy Twomey’s French Claim, the Andy Oliver-trained Glory Daze and Jim Bolger’s Boundless Ocean complete the line-up. 

The GAIN Railway Stakes heads up Saturday’s supporting card and Aidan O'Brien is responsible for two of the six declarations. He runs the Coventry Stakes fourth Blackbeard and Age Of Kings with Michael O'Callaghan’s Norfolk Stakes third Crispy Cat, the Johnny Murtagh-trained Shartash, Joseph O'Brien’s Apache Outlaw and the Andy Slattery-trained Borletti also facing the starter for the six-furlong Group 2 event. 

Seven horses have stood their ground for the Group 3 Saturday’s ARM Holding International Stakes with last season’s Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas hero Mac Swiney, trained by Jim Bolger, leading the way. Dermot Weld’s Duke De Sessa skips the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby to run here and takes his chance along with Visualisation and Vega Magnifico from the Joseph O'Brien yard, the Michael Halford-trained Bear Story, Paddy Twomey’s Rumbles Of Thunder and Aidan O'Brien’s Aikhal. 

Ger Lyons’ Power Under Me looks the leading fancy for the 11-runner Listed Dubai Duty Free Dash Stakes which gets the eight-race card underway at 1.25pm on Saturday and his Marbling, along with the Joseph O'Brien-trained Night Of Romance, look leading players in the Dubai Duty Free Summer Fillies Handicap, another race with an 11-runner field. 

Ten horses are set to go to post for the Listed Dubai Duty Free Celebration Stakes in which the Johnny Murtagh-trained Raadobarg bids to complete a hat-trick of wins, with 20 runners, including Michael Halford’s Start Line and the Johnny Feane-trained No More Porter, in contention for the Dubai Duty Free Handicap over eight furlongs.  

The day’s finale is the Dubai Duty Free Handicap over 10 furlongs and Johnny Murtagh saddles another hat-trick seeker in the shape of Chicago Bear which is up against fellow recent winners, the Brian Duffy-trained Magic Chegaga and Jim Bolger’s Daylight Come in the 13-runner affair. 

The ground at the Curragh ahead of the three-day fixture is: Good, Good to Firm in places. Possibility of 15-20 mm (approx) of rain from tomorrow through to Sunday according to Met Éireann. 

Gate Opening Times
Friday 3pm, first race 5pm
Saturday 11am, first race 1.25pm
Sunday 11.30am, first race 1.40pm
 
Transport
Trains to Kildare and Newbridge with free shuttle service with pick up locations in both to towns. See https://www.curragh.ie/transport-parking
Expressway service from Dublin City Centre– see expressway.ie
Free car parking
 
Admission
Special offers still available www.curragh.ie/tickets
 
Entertainment
The Curragh will be alive with the sound of music as musicians line up to entertain racegoers at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival this weekend
 
The action kicks off on Friday with an exciting seven race programme followed by “The Party after the last Race” featuring Qween, the ultimate Queen tribute band.
 
Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day on Saturday will feature music acts throughout the venue with the Newbridge Gospel Choir welcoming racegoers at the start of the day, while NiteTrain, Bailey and Gordon and Roisin McAlindin will also perform during the afternoon. The superb Bunoscionn  who originate from Rathangan, will bring their lively brand of music to the Green Zone of the venue (West End), while “the party after the last” will feature the brilliant Smash Hits
 
Army Band, Chloe Agnew of Celtic Women will be accompanied by the Army Band to perform the Curragh of Kildare before the big race
 
Dubai Duty Free Most Stylish Man and Lady competition in association with The K Club with judges Irish broadcaster, writer and impressionist Doireann Garrihy, together with presenter and Olympian Greg O’Shea who will be joined by Breeda McLoughlin, wife of Dubai Duty Free’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Colm McLoughlin, and Dubai Duty Free Style Ambassador Bairbre Power. 

Sunday is themed as a family day with eight top class races, while younger racegoers will be entertained in the  Kids Zone with lots of free activities featuring Junior Jockey Club, Marvin The Magician, Junior Einstein, face painters and giant games