The Curragh on Saturday
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Even Song heads a final field of 12 for the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Saturday following declarations of runners this morning.
Classic action returns to the Curragh with a stellar cast set to go to post for the €400,000 contest in which Ribblesdale Stakes winner, Even Song, is one of four Aidan O’Brien runners in the race as the trainer has also declared Pretty Perfect, Seventh Heaven and Somehow.
Included in a strong challenge from British-based trainers are the Epsom Oaks runner-up, Architecture, who will be ridden by Frankie Dettori, and Harlequeen for trainer Mick Channon.
As well as sending over Architecture, last season’s Darley Irish Oaks winning trainer Hugo Palmer will also run We Are Ninety and has booked champion jockey Pat Smullen for the ride.
Smullen is hoping for a repeat of last season’s famous victory with Covert Love. The jockey said; “We Are Ninety is a very progressive filly, she was well fancied going into Royal Ascot and probably ran a little below par but you can forgive any horse for that and obviously Hugo thinks enough of her to bring her over and hopefully we can have a repeat of what happened last year.
“Hugo has a great record and any time you team up with Hugo you are always hopeful for a big run and hopefully that will be the case again on Saturday.”
Ajman Princess, who was second behind Even Song at Royal Ascot, will take up her supplementary entry, while former champion jockey Joseph O’Brien will saddle his first runner in a Classic with his sister, Ana, riding Way To My Heart, while Jim Bolger has declared both Turret Rocks and An Cailin Orga.
Recent Roscommon winner, Red Stars, trained on the Curragh by John Oxx, will look to give the trainer a third success in the Irish Oaks.
The ground at the Curragh was described as good on the round course and good to yielding on the straight track with a mainly dry forecast but the risk of some showers approaching the weekend.
Declarations for the remaining races of the two-day Darley Irish Oaks Weekend will take place on Friday morning.
