Champion trainer Aidan O’Brien attempts to extend his stellar record of 17 wins in Sunday’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby with four Ballydoyle representatives among the eight declared for the €1.25 million showpiece on Friday morning.
Chester Vase winner Benvenuto Cellini, deemed a non-runner by the Epsom stewards after a starting stalls incident when the gate opened, heads the market ahead of his classic-winning stable companion and Epsom Derby winner Christmas Day.
The emphatic Epsom Derby hero earlier this month is attempting to become the 21st horse to complete the coveted English-Irish Derby double and is joined by Pierre Bonnard and Action who both finished behind Christmas Day when they last met.
Joseph O’Brien, fresh from his five winners at Royal Ascot last week, is represented by Epsom third James J Braddock and is expecting a big performance. “He’s trained good since Epsom and we’ve been very happy with him so we’re all looking to the weekend,” said the Owning Hill trainer who saddled Latrobe to win the Irish Derby in 2018 and was successful twice as a jockey aboard Camelot (2012) and Australia (2014).
Sandown Classic Trial winner Raaheeb, a first Irish Derby runner for Lambourn trainer Owen Burrows, is unbeaten coming to the Curragh and the brother to the top-class duo Baaeed and Hukum is an exciting prospect stepping into Group 1 company.
Donnacha O’Brien, successful as a rider aboard Latrobe eight years ago, runs Shaihaan, fourth behind James J Braddock in the Leopardstown Derby Trail, with Gowran Classic winner Bunyola Bay (Richard Hannon) completing the octet.
The Group 3 Dubai Duty Free International Stakes has eight runners with impressive Orby Stakes winner Purview heading the list. His trainer Dermot Weld said; “It was a very good performance on Guineas weekend and although he has won over the ten furlongs at Cork (Navigation Stakes) we have a slight concern about going back in trip. That said, this will tell us more and open up a lot of options going forward.”
Isaac Newton (Aidan O’Brien), Geryon (Ger Lyons) and Hotazhell (Jessica Harrington), separated by small margins in the Hill Of Tara Stakes, will renew rivalry again.
Also in the line-up is Orby Stakes runner-up Trustyourinstinct (Joseph O’Brien), bidding to repeat last year’s success, British-trained challenger Crown Of Oaks (William Haggas) with Tiberius Thunder (Robson De Aguiar) and Sindria (Joeseph O’Brien).
Local favourite Big Gossey (Charles O’Brien), a winner nine times at the Curragh, heads the ten-strong field for the Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes over 6f while a field of seven will go to post for the Dubai Duty Free Celebration Stakes.
Recent Fairyhouse winner Cowardofthecounty and Alacantor both represent Joseph O’Brien with Duckadilly, a first black-type winner for local trainer Danny McLoughlin in the Kooyonga Stakes earlier this month, also declared.
Tokenomics (David Marnane), Zodiac Bear (Johnny Murtagh), Spicy Margarita (Robson De Aguiar) and Accredited (Aidan O’Brien) complete the field.
World Pool, the internationally commingled betting pools hosted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, will be in operation for all nine races at the Curragh on Sunday bringing the prestige and history of Irish Derby Day to World Pool customers in 27 jurisdictions around the world.
The going at the Curragh on Friday morning was described as good on the straight course and good, good to firm in places on the round course with the situation being monitored regarding further selective watering.
ENTRIES LINK:
Friday Runners
https://status.hri-ras.ie/entries/Microsoft_Word__2026_ONOR172.PDF?id=5&v=20260624103602
Saturday Runners
https://status.hri-ras.ie/entries/Microsoft_Word__2026_ONOR173.PDF?id=5&v=20260625120501
Sunday Runners
https://status.hri-ras.ie/entries/Microsoft_Word__2026_ONOR174.PDF?id=5&v=20260626101502
