Coolcullen trainer Jim Bolger will be back at the top table at the Curragh this Saturday when his unbeaten filly Sparan Nua steps up in class again to contest the Juddmonte Irish Oaks which was reduced to 11 entries yesterday.
The 84-year-old, crowned Irish champion trainer in 1991 and 1992, described his classic contender as ‘very, very classy’ after she won her second start at Gowran in May and having changed hands before landing the Group 3 Darley Munster Oaks last month, she has been pleasing her trainer since.
“She is very well and we wouldn’t have spent the 50 thousand if we thought she wasn’t,” remarked Bolger on Wednesday of the Dawn Approach filly, one of three supplemented additions for the final fillies’ classic of the season along with Inis Mor (David Menuisier) and Rebel Moon (Joseph O’Brien).
Bolger has bagged eight Classic wins at the Curragh during his illustrious career, including landing the Irish Oaks with Give Thanks (1983) and Margarula (2002).
Comparing Saturday’s challenger, now owned by Maurice Regan’s Newtown Anner Stud, Bolger added; “Both of those Oaks fillies were hardened campaigners, and they were well up for it on the day. Sparan Nua hasn’t had a proper classic preparation mainly because she was a little bit weak last year, so we left her alone and we didn’t start back with her until well into the new year.
I must admit that she has surprised us somewhat, but we are all ready for Saturday.”
World Pool, the internationally commingled betting pools from 27 jurisdictions hosted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and operated from the Curragh by Tote Ireland, will ensure larger pools for all nine races on Saturday.
Curragh clerk of the course Paddy Graffin said on Wednesday afternoon; “They’ve been watering since last week and Richie [Brophy, Grounds Manager] and his team have done an excellent job in the most trying of conditions. You can see the benefits of that today and it’s currently on the fast side of good, lovely, sweet, nice flat ground.”
ENTRIES link:
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
Good to firm (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.
