PRESS RELEASE
Friday, 25th September 2026
30 RUNNERS SET FOR FRIENDS OF THE CURRAGH IRISH CESAREWITCH
A maximum field of thirty runners will go to post for the Friends of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch this Sunday, the feature of day 2 of the Autumn Racing Weekend at the Curragh.
Trainer Joseph O’Brien will look to win the €500,000 contest for a second successive year with a massive team of fourteen runners, including last year’s winner Puturhandstogether, while Leinster, Tennessee Stud, A Piece of Heaven and Sky Captain are other notable representatives from the all conquering stable.
Trainer Willie Mullins is also well represented in the race with a team of four runners including Absurde and The Reverend, while other notable challengers include the Henry De Bromhead trained Tim Toe, last year’s runner up Chally Chute, Zanndabad trained by Tony Martin, the Noel Meade trained Blake, and Port of Spain trained by Aidan O’Brien. The William Haggas trained Valiancy is the sole British trained contender.
The Darley Fillies Stakes has attracted eight runners including the unbeaten Curracloe and Value Pending, while Alpine Wedding, Damsel In Distress and Fine Line are other notable contenders for the Group 3 contest.
Soul Love is the sole British trained runner in the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Renaissance Stakes with the Karl Burke trained performer facing eight rivals in the Group 3 sprint, including Power Blue, Fregada, Brussels, Royal Bay Cen and Curragh specialist Big Gossey.
On Saturday, The Goffs Million takes centre stage with a quality field of twenty runners including a strong British trained challenge of six, notably the Ralph Beckett trained Blessed Voyager, Waasil trained by Karl Burke, the Michael Bell trained Bayside View, Dorigo trained by Kevin Ryan, Love Is trained by Richard Hughes and Nobelos trained by Charlie Hills.
The home trained team is led by the Paddy Twomey trained Trean who also runs Hi Corbett Court. Ballinea Star, trained by Robson De Aquiar, Cashel Queen, trained by Donnacha O’Brien, the Aidan O’Brien trained Carry The Flag are among the other notable Irish trained contenders, along with Green Dreamer and Royal Ascot winner King of Cloughan both trained by Joseph O’Brien.
Race Sponsor Charlie Bond will be hoping for a big run from City Of Dubai in the Churchill Tyres Beresford Stakes. The Paddy Twomey trained two-year-old is one of six runners in the Group 2 contest which also features the Aidan O’Brien trained trio of Noble Exhibit, Drumbeat and Shakespeare, while Venetian Power and Tommy Quick will represent Joseph O’Brien.
GATES OPEN / RACE TIMES
Gates: 12pm
Sat: First race 1.30pm
Sun: First race 1.25pm
GROUND
Following 5mm of rain overnight:
Straight – Good to Yielding
Round – Good
FORECAST
Mainly dry today and Saturday, with rain forecast for Sunday morning, with 10-15mm possible according to Met Éireann.
TRACK
Racing on stand side, with stalls in centre
6 yards of fresh ground for Sunday
LINK TO ENTRIES
TRANSPORT
Complimentary local return bus service from Kildare Town and Station, sponsored by Manguard Plus, is scheduled to coincide with the main arrival and departure times of the main Irish Rail trains
WHERE TO WATCH
All races broadcast live by Racing TV. TG4 to broadcast The Goffs Million and The Churchill Tyres Beresford Stakes
FREE PARKING
