The weekend fixture, which is the first of 19 racemeetings to be schedule at Headquarters this year, features the Group 3 Lodge Park Stud Park Express Stakes and the Tote Sports Lounge Irish Lincolnshire.

The Group 3 contest has attracted an entry of 18 fillies and mares, which includes three overseas trained challengers in Ahla Wasahl, Chantilly Tiffany and Danehill’s Pearl. Jim Bolger, who won this race twelve months ago with Oh Goodness Me, has entered three for the one mile contest, including the top rated Atasari, while Dermot Weld has three to choose from Precious Gem, Rare Ransom and Ana Verna. Aidan O’Brien, meanwhile, can select between Devoted to You, Lady Lupus and Black Eyed Susan.

The Tote Sports Lounge Irish Lincolnshire is always a well contested race and this year’s renewal will be no different. Designated Decoy, who was a close up third behind Pollen in this race last year, is one of 25 entries for the race. His trainer Dermot Weld has also entered Award Ceremony who has the benefit of a run already this season. Other notable entries include Barak, Grand Admiral, Greatwallofchina, Motafaany and Hujaylea

The www.curragh.ie Madrid Handicap is another competitive affair which has attracted an entry of 18 three year olds. The Aidan O’Brien trained Purple Heart is top of the ratings and the Ballydoyle based trainer is also represented by Benvenuto, while local trainer John Oxx can rely on Akinndi.

Other notable entries for the seven furlongs contest are Del Mar, Hen Night, Knight’s Templar and White Front.

The race day starts with a very competitive juvenile event sponsored by Tally Ho Stud with four representatives from the powerful Aidan O’Brien team

An additional bonus for racegoers will be the opportunity to see some of Aidan O’Brien’s Classic race hopefuls in action after racing including last year’s champion European two year old St Nicholas Abbey. It is hoped that some of our Cheltenham heroes will be on view during the afternoon in the parade ring.

The ground at the Curragh is currently Yielding.

"The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan TD has announced a new innovative scheme to bring together business, enterprise and universities into designated Competence Centres."

"The Centres will allow clusters of companies in north Kildare and the wider area to come together to share research and other information that will allow them to grow their businesses, create new products and services."

The Maynooth Centre will be the IT Innovation Centre with the assistance and cooperation of Intel and will be delivered jointly by Enterprise Ireland and the IDA."

"The Maynooth Centre will research and develop tools and approaches that can help companies and public sector organisations to improve their IT investment. The Centre will also focus on green computing by researching ways to reduced the energy used by servers and other IT technology."

"The Centre in Maynooth is one of five Centres that have already been established. The other Centres will cover Bioenergy & Biorefining, Applied Nanotechnology, Composite Materials and Microelectronics."

"Four additional Centres are planned and will concentrate on Manufacturing Productivity, Energy Efficiency, Financial Services and E-learning. These Centres are at different stages of completion."

"The Centres will be industry led and will aim to meet the needs of local business and enterprises. It is hoped that all of these activities will result in the creation of more jobs. Intel must be commended for their participation in this project and for their commitment to north Kildare," concluded Minister Brady.

The iconic band led by Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt, who were both recently awarded OBEs, will perform some of their best known hits including Rockin’ all over the World,  Whatever You Want,  Down Down and Just Supposin during a 90 minute show which will commence on a giant stage located in the racecourse enclosure after the last race at 8.30pm.

Status Quo music has been enjoyed by millions of people over 4 decades. They have recorded 60 chart hits in the UK of which 22 reached the top 10.

Speaking of the upcoming performance by Status Quo, Paul Hensey The Curragh’s Racecourse Manager said “To have a band such as Status Quo playing at the Curragh is fantastic and it is the first time that a band of this calibre has graced any stage at an Irish Racecourse.  The band appeals to all ages and the concert is the perfect complement to end an exciting evening at the races”.

Status Quo has been booked by the Liz Hobbs Group who recently signed an agreement with the County Kildare venue to provide high level post race entertainment at a number of race meetings over the next five years.  “An important part of our promotional strategy over the next few years to attract more people to come to the races will be to introduce some top bands to perform after racing and I am also pleased to announce that the Saw Doctors will play after racing on Derby Friday 25th June,” added Hensey,

Admission for the Status Quo race evening is €30 to include admission to the races and concert and with limited availability of tickets, it is strongly advised to booked in advance on line at www.curragh.ie or phone our ticketing line on 0818-300-281.  A variety of dining packages are also available to be reserved in both the recently refurbished Horse Shoe Restaurant and in Premier Level Hospitality Suites.

For further information, call the racecourse on 045 441205 or see www.curragh.ie