25th September 2020
The Curragh stages their two day Autumn Racing Festival this Saturday and Sunday 26th and 27th September and although behind closed doors, owners will be permitted to attend for the first time.
The Weld Park Stakes is the feature races on Sunday. Following this morning publication of declared runners, 12 fillies will go to post for the Group 3 contest over 7 furlongs.
The high quality field includes No Speak Alexander trained by Jessica Harrington, Angel Palm trained by Ger Lyons, Aunty Bridy trained by Jim Bolger and Monday trained by Aidan O’Brien. Joseph O’Brien, who landed the race last year with New York Girl, has Thinking of You and recent Naas winner Sense of Style, while A Ma Chere will represent the sponsor Dermot Weld.
Kastasa, Dawn Patrol, Barrington Court, Traisha and Prose are among the 10 runners in the Group 3 Comer Group International Loughbrown Stakes over two miles, while Raa Atoll and Cypress Creek will represented race sponsor Luke Comer.
Other races on the eight race programme include the valuable Heffernan Tyres Joe McGrath Handicap with 18 runners including the Kieran Cotter trained A Step Too Far who will seeking his 6th successive win this season, while the Mongey Communications Nursery (16 runners), Sycamore Lodge Equine Hospital Race (6 runners) and extra.ie Apprentice Handicap (13 runners), Irish Stallion Farms Maiden (18 runners) and Irish Stallion Farms Fillies Maiden (17 runners)
The Alan Smurfit Memorial Beresford Stakes is the feature race on Saturday with 13 going to post in the one mile contest, the highest number of runners since 1966. Declared runners were published yesterday.
Impressive Curragh Maiden winner High Definition is one of three runners for Aidan O’Brien who has won the race a remarkable 19 times. He also has Brazil and Sir Lucan. Dermot Weld will attempt to win the race with Wuqood, an eye catching winner of a Maiden at Gowran Park recently.
The Jessica Harrington trained Ace Aussie, Reve De Vol and Ides of August trained by Ger Lyons, Monaasib trained by Kevin Prendergast, Jack Duggan trained by Jim Bolger and Lifetime Legend trained by Andy Oliver are other notable runners, while Joseph O’Brien is responsible for Snapraeterea and Southern Cape is set to represent his brother Donnacha.
Urban Beat, Forever In Dreams, Downforce and Son Of Rest feature among the 12 runners in the Group 3 Qatar Racing and Equestrian Renaissance Stakes, which also includes Summerghand trained by David O’Meara and the Richard Fahey trained Ventura Rebel, both trained in Britain
Other races featuring on the eight race programme include the Tipperary Crystal Ladies Trophy with 18 leading lady riders competing in the 12 furlong contest, while 16 to post in the Equisoftlive Maiden, 15 in the Clark Recruitment Nursery, 18 in the IEBF Maiden, 15 in the Foran Equine IEBF Auction Race and 18 in the Manguard Plus Handicap.
Declared runners
Sat
https://status.hri-ras.ie/rider-info.aspx?MID=265&YEAR=2020
Sun
https://status.hri-ras.ie/rider-info.aspx?MID=266&YEAR=2020
How to watch the races
Racing TV - Live coverage of all races
ITV3 – live coverage of the Alan Smurfit Memorial Beresford Stakes
Ground
Straight course: yielding, good to yielding in places
Round course: good to yielding
Forecast: mainly dry
Track: racing on far side in straight. Stalls in centre for all sprints.
