Tattersalls Guineas Festival at The Curragh this weekend
Following declarations of runners this morning at 10am, the Curragh will feature a star studded line up throughout the weekend.
Minding, who was an emphatic winner of the English 1,000 Guineas, will face 13-rivals in Sunday’s Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh. Aidan O’Brien has declared four runners with Californiadreaming, Coolmore and Pretty Perfect joining Minding in the line up.
Michael O’Callaghan’s impressive 1,000 Guineas Trial winner Now Or Never will carry the colours of Qatar Racing for the first time and will be bidding to give jockey Kieren Fallon a first win in an Irish Guineas. Jet Setting, who also won a Guineas Trial, was supplemented earlier in the week and will be a first runner in an Irish Classic for trainer Adrian Keatley.
Jim Bolger is represented in the 1,000 Guineas by Turret Rocks who was fourth at Newmarket in the English 1,000 Guineas, while Dermot Weld’s Tanaza will have her first start of the season after making a notable impression as a juvenile last year.
Sunday’s eight race card also features the Tattersalls Gold Cup in which Found and Fascinating Rock will take on The Grey Gatsby and Time Test in a fascinating renewal of the Group One contest., while seven runners will line up for the Group Three Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes.
Galileo Gold heads a field of eight declared runners for the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas tomorrow Saturday. The English 2,000 Guineas winner will take on the Aidan O’Brien-trained quartet of Air Force Blue, Air Vice Marshal, Bravery and Shogun as he bids to do the Guineas double. Jim Bolger has declared Sanus Per Aquam, while Blue De Vega represents the Michael O’Callaghan yard and owners Qatar Racing. Awtaad completes the field and comes into the race with two wins at the Curragh already this season and his 84-year-old trainer, Kevin Prendergast, is hopeful of a big run.
Declarations were also made for the Group Two Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes on Saturday and the unbeaten Don’t Touch is a real intriguing runner for trainer Richard Fahey. Trainer Eddie Lynam is double handed in the race with Moviesta and Fort Del Oro, while Gordon Lord Byron will bid to bounce back to winning ways for trainer Tom Hogan. Lucida, Irish Rookie and Devonshire head the seven runners for the Group Two Lanwades Stud Stakes also on Saturday, while 10 two year olds will line up for the Cold Move Marble Hill Stakes
There will be plenty of activity off the track as well at the Curragh this weekend most notably a wonderful exhibition celebrating the life of legendary jockey LESTER PIGGOTT which will take place over both days sponsored by FBD Hotels & Resorts
Sunday is also KILLASHEE IRISH TATLER STYLE ICON. Yvonne Connolly will be joined by Ciara McElligott of Killashee Hotel, publishing entrepreneur Norah Casey, Sue Gilhooly of Cullen & Co and Anna Fortune from The Kildare Post will be on the look out for the ultimate iconic looks from the race day punters, both male and female.
Actress JOANNA LUMLEY will be guest of honour on Sunday when the Curragh celebrates her 70th birthday by naming a race in her honour
Sat - 1st of 7 races 3.20pm with the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas off at 5.40pm
Sun - 1st of 8 races 1.20pm with the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas off at 1.55pm
Admission
Adult: 20 euro / Under 25s and Seniors 10 euro/ Under 16s free accompanied by an adult
Transport:
Free car parking. Trains to Kildare Town with free shuttle bus to races. Dublin Coach provide a race day service – see dublincoach.ie
