Curragh specialist Big Gossey will contest his 90th race going in search of his 11th course win on Sunday when he faces six rivals in the Group 2 Glenroyal Hotel And Shoda Minstrel Stakes at 3.15pm.
The Allegro Syndicate-owned grey, fifth in the corresponding race 12 months ago, has become a big favourite with racing fans at headquarters and the 9-year-old was given a rapturous reception after getting up to land the Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes under Billy Lee last month.
He’ll face tough opposition stepping back up to seven furlongs with last season’s Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes winner Power Blue (Robson De Aguiar) in the seven-runner field.
English challenger Audience (David O’Meara), runner-up in the Ballycorus Stakes on his last visit to Ireland, is another notable entry along with Danny McLoughlin’s stable star Duckadilly, a first Group 3 winner for Ireland’s youngest trainer in the Brownstown Stakes this month.
East Hampton (David Marnane), Dorset (Aidan O’Brien) and last month’s Celebration Stakes winner Zodiac Bear (Johnny Murtagh) complete the line up.
The Group 2 1xBet.ie Proud Supporters Curragh Cup has eight declared headed by last season’s winner Al Riffa (Joseph O’Brien) who won this race 12 months ago before going on to provide Dylan Browne McMonagle with his first classic success in the Comer Group International Irish St Leger.
The in-form O’Brien has also left in Tennessee Stud and Trustyourinstinct while his brother Donnacha is represented by Happy Pharoah, runner-up to last month’s Ascot Gold Cup hero and 2025 English St Leger winner Scandinavia on his most recent start in the Saval Beg.
Last month’s Queen Alexandra Stakes winner Illinois is the sole Aidan O’Brien challenger while Green Impact (Jessica Harrington), is tackling this longer 1m6f trip for the first time after keeping on into fourth place in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup last time.
Recent Fairyhouse Group 3 winner Floresta represents Johnny Murtagh, who rode the winner of this race twice aboard Septimus (Aidan O’Brien, 2008) and Hartani (John Oxx, 2010), with the field completed by Dallas Star (Robson De Aguiar).
The going at the Curragh on Friday morning was reported as good to firm, good in places with watering ongoing and warm temperatures forecast into the weekend.
ENTRIES link:
Saturday Runners
https://status.hri-ras.ie/entries/Microsoft_Word__2026_ONOR202.PDF?id=5&v=20260716101901
Sunday Runners
https://status.hri-ras.ie/entries/Microsoft_Word__2026_ONOR203.PDF?id=5&v=20260717101401
GATES OPEN / RACE TIMES
Saturday 11.00am 1st race 1.10pm last race 5.45pm
Sunday 11.30am 1st race 1.40pm last race 5.30pm
U18s go free both days when accompanied by a paying adult
Tickets, hospitality packages, and full festival details are available at www.curragh.ie
TRACK
Racing on the middle track, stalls in centre for all sprint races with 5yds of fresh ground on Sunday
OFFICIAL GOING
8.08am Friday July 17 – Good to firm, good in places (watering)
WEATHER FORECAST
Dry and warm with temperatures up to 25 degrees
ENTERTAINMENT
A package programme of entertainment across the venue over the weekend
TRANSPORT
Complimentary local return bus services, sponsored by Manguard Plus, are scheduled to coincide with the main arrival and departure times of Irish Rail trains
FREE CAR PARKING
WHERE TO WATCH
All races broadcast live on Racing TV
Saturday RTE 2 broadcast 4 races (2.50, 3.25, 4.00, 4.35)
Tickets, hospitality packages, and full festival details are available at www.curragh.ie.
