Newmarket trainer William Haggas will attempt to turn the clock back and win the Juddmonte Irish Oaks for the second time in his career at the Curragh this Saturday with Earth Shot, one of 11 fillies remaining including three supplementary entries after Tuesday’s forfeits.
The Somerville Lodge handler, son-in-law of the late legendary jockey Lester Piggott, sent out Sea Of Class to land the ultimate test for three-year-old fillies in 2018 and his Ribblesdale Stakes winner will renew rivalry with supplementary entry Inis Mor (David Menuisier), who defeated her at Goodwood in May.
Epsom Oaks heroine Thundering On (Joseph O’Brien) could attempt to make amends for her subsequent fourth place finish in the Pretty Polly stepping back up in trip with the Owning Hill trainer also leaving in Johanna Walsh, runner-up to Earth Shot last time.
Stable companion Rebel Moon, unbeaten in two starts, has also been supplemented at a cost of €50,000, representing owners Al Shira’aa Racing who sponsor the Group 3 Meadow Court Stakes earlier on the card.
Cheshire Oaks winner Amelia Earhart, who started favourite when running sixth in the Epsom Oaks, heads the Aidan O’Brien quintet with Beautify, Cameo, Composing and Sugar Island completing the Ballydoyle list for one of the most prestigious races in the global calendar.
Veteran trainer Jim Bolger, who won the Irish Oaks with Give Thanks (1983) and Margarula (2002), will bid for the hat trick with his unbeaten filly Sparan Nua. The Munster Oaks winner, now owned by Maurice Regan’s Newtown Anner Stud, was also supplemented for the €500,000 Group 1 contest this morning.
The supporting Group 2 Tulfarris Hotel And Golf Sapphire Stakes is headed by Group 1 winner Bucanero Fuerte (Robson De Aguiar) and has four British entries including Rosy Affair (George Boughey).
The Group 1 King Charles III Stakes fourth will again be partnered by Billy Loughnane, currently embroiled in a protracted duel with Oisin Murphy for the British Flat jockeys’ championship.
The pair could be joined by fellow overseas challengers Cover Up (Simon & Ed Crisford), Jakajaro (Robert Cowell) and Partisan Hero (David Loughnane).
Highest rated entry is Commonwealth fourth Havana Anna (Donnacha O’Brien) with Aidan O’Brien responsible for Charles Darwin and Brussels, two other notable possibles.
Aidan O’Brien has won the Group 2 GAIN Railway Stakes multiple times including last year with subsequent English 1,000 Guineas winner True Love who became the first filly to win the race since Eva Luna (Jim Bolger) scored in 1994.
The Ballydoyle maestro has no filly entered this time but is well represented with Bold Commander, Carry The Flag, Confucius and Mans Best Friend.
The 13 entries include runaway Gowran winner Folsom Blues (Joseph O’Brien) who is joined by his Windsor Castle victorious stablemate King Of Cloughan with Celeron (Michael O’Callaghan), Switching Stables (Jessica Harrington) and The Scallionator (Michael Mulvaney) also remaining.
Previous winners’ Immortal Guard and Tribeca represent Robson DeAguiar who has also left newcomers Atlantic Bridge and Supreme Lord in.
Liverpool FC Foundation, the official charity of Liverpool FC which focuses on improving health, championing learning and enhancing opportunities for all, team up with the Curragh by sponsoring the Scurry Handicap with 24 entries.
Racing fans can meet Liverpool legends Ian Rush, Neil Mellor, Chris Kirkland, Grace Fisk, Becky Easton and Natasha Dowie with meet and greet sessions, autograph signings and photo opportunities throughout the day.
World Pool, the internationally commingled betting pools from 27 jurisdictions hosted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and operated from the Curragh by the Tote, will ensure larger pools for all nine races on Saturday.
On Sunday all eyes will be on course specialist Big Gossey to see if the dashing grey can add to his ten Curragh victories in the Group 2 Glenroyal Hotel And Shoda Minstrel Stakes.
Charles O’Brien’s 9yo money spinner for the Allegro Syndicate will need his A game intact again with the entry list also including Robson De Aguiar’s Group 1 winners’ Bucanero Fuerte, also entered on Saturday, and Power Blue.
Marvelman (Andrew Balding), a Group 2 winner last season, is another notable entry with Audience (David O’Meara), East Hampton (David Marnane) and Expanded and Dorset (Aidan O’Brien) also figuring.
Celebration Stakes scorer Zodiac Bear (Johnny Murtagh) and recent Group 3 winner Duckadilly (Danny McLoughlin) complete the 10 entries.
The Group 2 1xBet.ie Proud Supporters Curragh Cup has attracted 14 entries headed by last season’s winner Al Riffa (Joseph O’Brien) who landed this race en route to Irish St Leger success two months later, a first classic win for Dylan Browne McMonagle in 2025.
The in-form O’Brien has also left in A Piece Of Heaven, Emit, Tennesse Stud and Trustyourinstinct with recent Queen Alexandra Stakes winner Illinois the pick of the Aidan O’Brien-trained trio.
ENTRIES :
Saturday Runners
https://status.hri-ras.ie/entries/Microsoft_Word__2026_ONOR202.PDF?id=1&v=20260714125002
Sunday Runners
https://status.hri-ras.ie/entries/Microsoft_Word__2026_ONOR203.PDF?id=1&v=20260714125502
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 with 5yds of fresh ground on Sunday
OFFICIAL GOING (at 8.05am Tuesday July 14)
Good to firm, firm in places (watering)
WEATHER FORECAST
Dry forecast with temperatures in mid to low 20s today & tomorrow, increasing later in the week
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
