Auguste Rodin heads Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Acceptors

Auguste Rodin heads Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby acceptors

Three of the first four horses home in the Epsom Derby are in line to clash once again in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh this weekend.  

Aidan O'Brien's European classic haul stands at 99 after the battling success of Auguste Rodin at Epsom and he heads the trainer’s five remaining entries in the €1.25m race, the first Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby to be run on a Sunday since 2011 and the centrepiece on an eight-race card which is a Tote World Pool event for the first time. 

Auguste Rodin would be bidding to give Ryan Moore his first win in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and if successful, would become the first horse to complete the Epsom-Curragh Derby double since Harzand in 2016. Among those standing in his way could be his own stable companions Adelaide River, Covent Garden, Peking Opera and San Antonio.  

However, John Murphy's White Birch, a first ride in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby for Dylan Browne McMonagle, and the Jessica Harrington-trained Sprewell, third and fourth respectively at Epsom a month ago, appear to be the biggest threats to O'Brien’s Epsom Derby hero.  

Also standing their ground ahead of Friday's final declaration stage are the Dermot Weld-trained Knight To King, an impressive winner at Gowran Park on his debut, Joseph O'Brien's Leopardstown Derby Trial second Up And Under, the Donnacha O'Brien-trained Proud And Regal and the Ralph Beckett-trained Salt Bay. 

Elsewhere on Sunday's card, the Jessica Harrington-trained Supersonic Man has been added to the field in the Group 2 GAIN Railway Stakes which also includes Adrian Murray's Royal Ascot winner Valiant Force which could renew rivalry with Aidan O'Brien's His Majesty which finished fourth behind him in the Norfolk Stakes. 

Meanwhile, at the Curragh on Saturday, a field of 14 horses, including last week's Ribblesdale winner Warm Heart, trained by Aidan O'Brien, Joseph O'Brien's Above The Curve, the Jim Bolger-trained Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas third Comhra, the George Boughey-trained Via Sistina and Hughie Morrison's Stay Alert are among the 14 horses remaining in the Group 1 Yulong Pretty Polly Stakes while nine, including Albany Stakes runner-up Matrika and the Ed Walker-trained Miss Roberts, go forward for the Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes. Joseph O'Brien’s Al Riffa, winner of last year's Group 1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes, is set to reappear in the Group 3 Paddy Power International Stakes. 

Click here to see the entries for the Curragh on Saturday

Click here to see the entries for the Curragh on Sunday

Gates Open/Race Times
Friday                 3.30pm                 1^st race 5pm                        last race 8.25pm
Saturday            11.30pm               1^st race 1.40pm                 last race 5.40pm
Sunday               11pm                     1^st race 1.50pm                 last race 6pm
 
Race Day Admission
Friday
                Adult Admission               €20
                Seniors & Under25          €15
                Under 18s free accompanied by an adult
Saturday
                Adult Admission               €25
                Seniors & Under 25s       €15
                Under 18s free accompanied by an adult
Sunday
Adult Admission               €40
                Seniors & Under 25         €25
                Under 18s free accompanied by an adult
 
Special offers are available by booking in advance, see www.curragh.ie
 
Curragh Bundles (purchase in advance) offer amazing value and include admission, racecard, €10 food voucher and €5 Tote bet
Friday €28           Saturday €33                      Sunday €48
 
Getting to the races
The Curragh offer a FREE shuttle bus service from Newbridge, picking up at the train station and outside Eddie Rockets and Riverbank Theatre in the Main Street and from Kildare, picking up at the train station and in the Square at the bus stop. A service from Naas is also available from Poplar Square
Expressway offer a direct bus return service from Dublin to The Curragh on Saturday and Sunday only – collecting at Busaras and  Red Cow (Luas). To reserve your place see expressway.ie. 
Entertainment
Naas Hospital Choir to welcome racegoers and the post-race party with Qween live on stage
 
Saturday 
Newbridge Gospel Choir to welcome racegoers and post-race party will be with Lea Heart
Style prizes awarded throughout the afternoon
Free activities for younger racegoers on Derby Lawn
 
Sunday            
Newbridge Gospel Choir to welcome racegoers.  Post race party with Spring Break after the last race
Most Stylish competition - this year sees two incredible competition prizes on offer today, courtesy of Dubai Duty Free and The K Club. As well as being crowned ‘Most Stylish’ on the day, one lucky lady will receive a 5 star holiday to Dubai together with a stay at the magnificent K Club
The prize for Most Stylish Man is a fantastic five-star K Club VIP experience
Style Ambassadors Arthur Gourounlian, and Lottie Ryan will be joined by  Breeda McLoughlin, wife of Dubai Duty Free’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, and Fashion Editor of the Irish Independent and Lifestyle Ambassador for Dubai Duty Free, Bairbre Power will be on the look out for the most stylish people. 
 
Free activities for younger racegoers on the Derby Lawn

For further information, call the Curragh team on 045 441205, email info@curragh.ie
 
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