TRIPLE Classic winner Camelot and Dewhurst Stakes winner Parish Hall are the star attractions on show at the Newbridge Parishes Family Race Day at the Curragh this Bank Holiday Monday with the pair among the entries for the Group Three High Chaparral Mooresbridge Stakes following today’s publication of entries. Proceeds from the day will be donated to worthy charities in the locality by both the Catholic and Church of Ireland parishes.
Camelot, winner of the Newmarket 2000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby last year, makes his seasonal debut in Monday’s 10 furlong contest. Trainer Aidan O’Brien has had this contest earmarked for Camelot for some time. “This has been the plan for him all winter,” commented O’Brien. “The intention is to run him on Monday provided the ground is not too testing. He is in good order and is ready for a run,” concluded the Ballydoyle maestro, who is also represented in the race by El Salvador, Ernest Hemingway and Triumphant.
Parish Hall, gutsy winner of the 2011 Dewhurst Stakes, missed all of last season through injury, but the son of Teofilo returned to action at the Curragh last month and showed that he retained all his ability when landing the Irish Open Alleged Stakes. “The plan remains the same and Monday’s race is his target,” commented his trainer Jim Bolger. “Parish Hall needed that race and he has come out of it in good shape. “Provided he gets a bit of decent ground he will take his chance.” Bolger has also entered Light Heavy for the race, while Macbeth and Negotiate make up the eight entries.
A total of 21 horses stand their ground in the Group Three Canford Cliffs EBF Athasi Stakes, including two from Britain in Moonstone Magic and Switcher. Also remaining in the race are Kempton Listed winner Lily’s Angel and Yellow Rosebud, while Aidan O’Brien can choose between Moth, Snow Queen, Hanky Panky, Magical Dream and Infanta Branca. Meanwhile, the Andy Oliver-trained Dubaya has been supplemented to the race.
The Listed Power EBF Tetrarch Stakes has attracted an entry of 16 horses, including five (Parliament Square, Pedro The Great, Count Of Limonade, Forester and Fortify) from the Aidan O’Brien stable. Other notable horses entered for the seven furlong contest include Cougar Ridge, Big Whiskey, Viztoria, Sruthan and recent Gowran Park winner Tobann.
National Hunt fans are also catered for on Monday with the running of the Irish Field INH Flat Race. The two mile contest has attracted an entry of 13 and included among them are Brave Hearted, Champagne James, Concordin, Ebazziyr and Made In Germany.
In addition to eight exciting races on the track starting at 2.15pm, an impressive variety of free entertainment for children is planned to take place throughout the day with a major family theme.
The race day will also feature a strong sporting theme with children from local sports clubs taking part in exhibition games between races, while Kildare Football captain Johnny Doyle, Dermot Earley, Ronan Sweeney, Daryl Flynn, Alan Smith and Kerry senior football coach and selector, Cian O Neill will be some of the sports stars attending.
A magnificent display of military equipment courtesy of the Defence Forces (Curragh Camp) will be a major highlight of the day
Admission is €10, Seniors and Under 25s €5 and kids go free while a family package costs only €15 with €5 from each package sold going towards this exciting fund raising initiative