Epsom Oaks heroine Thundering On is the star attraction on the second day of the Dubai Duty Free Derby Festival at the Curragh on Saturday when she will face nine rivals in the €400,000 Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes at 3.55pm.
Her dam Thundering Nights carried the same Shapoor Mistry silks when she provided trainer Joseph O’Brien with his second Pretty Polly win in 2021 and she will be joined by stable companions’ Nyra, runner-up in the Munster Oaks, and Wemightakedlongway, a Group 3 winner last season.
The line up includes three English challengers headed by last season’s Lancashire Oaks heroine Estrange (David O’Meara), a recent Group 3 winner for Cheveley Park Stud.
Venetian Lace (Charlie Johnston), who ran third in the English 1,000 Guineas but disappointed on unsuitable ground at Epsom, should be more at home on this contrasting surface along with Qilin Queen (Ed Walker) who take on the Oaks winner.
Ger Lyons, seeking his first win in the Pretty Polly, is represented by dual course winner Red Letter with Paddy Twomey, who sent out La Petite Coco to land this Group 1 race in 2022, relying on One Look for Wathnan Racing.
The 10-runner field is completed by Carolina Jetstream (Robson De Aguiar) and Beautify (Aidan O’Brien).
The Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes over 6f has eight fillies declared with Albany runner-up Sun Goddess the sole representative for Aidan O’Brien
Joseph O’Brien, successful with Velocidad in 2021, has Listowel maiden winner Beibhinn and course runner-up Green Empress declared while previous winners Belle Of The Ball (Jessica Harrington), Cleodolinda (Donnacha O’Brien), Maggie Walker (David Marnane) and Velozee (Paddy Twomey) are also taking their chance along with the maiden Controlla (Robson De Aguiar).
The Group 3 Jebel Ali Racecourse Anglesey Stakes has six declared with Aidan O’Brien’s Confucius, a beaten favourite back in sixth place in the recent Coventry Stakes won by stable companion Great Barrier Reef, turning out again quickly to make amends.
Michael O’Callaghan, successful with Kairyu three years ago, has Goodwood debut scorer The Harv, who finished behind Confucius last time, with sole English challenger Dandyman Dan (David Evans) also declared.
Robson De Aguiar is doubly represented with previous maiden winners Immortal Guard and Ballinea Star with newcomer Mr Predicted (Joseph O’Brien) an interesting contender holding a Group 1 entry for the Phoenix Stakes later in the season.
The going is now officially good with high temperatures expected over the coming days and officials are monitoring the situation regarding 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/rider-info.aspx?MID=173&YEAR=2026
Sunday Runners
https://status.hri-ras.ie/entries/Microsoft_Word__2026_ONOR174.PDF?id=1&v=20260623123502
