The second entry stage for four of the five Irish Classic races closed yesterday showing a healthy increase compared to 2011.
Amongst the eight additional entries for The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, which will be run on Saturday evening 30th June, are the John Oxx trained Call To Battle, together with the Godolphin owned pair of impressive maiden winner Swedish Sailor and Group 1 winner Mandaean (formerly trained in France by Andre Fabre), while Sir Henry Cecil has made a further five entries including the highly thought of Wrotham Health.
Camelot, Born To Sea, Akeed Mofeed, Daddy Long Legs and Parish Hall are just some of the impressive list of Irish trained entries from the initial entry stage for the €1.2 million contest
The John Oxx trained Akeed Wafi, an impressive winner at Gowran Park last September, is one of nine additional entries for the Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas taking place on Saturday 26th May. The Godolphin owned Group 1 winner Mandaean, French trained Group 3 winner Abtaal trained by Jean Claude Rouget, together with Continuum trained by Sir Henry Cecil and the Richard Hannon trained Bronterre are other notable entries.
The former Jessica Harrington trained Dragon Pulse now with French based trainer Mikel Delzangles, Camelot, Power, Top Offer and Nephite were all entered at the first entry stage
The Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas taking place the following day on 27th May has attracted a further seven entries. These include Naas Maiden winner Bulbul, together with the Godophin owned pair of Shadwell Fillies Mile winner Lyric of Light and Discourse. Group one winners La Colina, Lightning Pearl and Maybe were amongst the initial entries for the Group 1 Classic.
The Patrick Prendergast trained Coral Wave is amongst fourteen second entries for the Darley Irish Oaks taking place on Sunday 22nd July. This represents a significant increase from the 2011 figure. Other notable entries include the John Oxx trained Shebella, the Godolphin owned Lyric of Light and five fillies trained by Sir Henry Cecil
Plateur and So You Think, third and fourth in the Dubai World Cup, look set to renew rivalry in the Tattersalls Gold Cup according to their respective trainers. The Group 1 contest takes place as one of the highlights of the Abu Dhabi Irish Guineas Festival, while another highlight of the festival, His Highness The President of the UAE Cup, the only race run in Ireland for pure bred Arabian horses, has been promoted to Listed race status and is likely to attract some top class runners from all over Europe. The Emirates Equestrian Federation is hopeful that the race will be further upgraded in 2013. It is hoped that an Irish trained horse will compete in the race in the near future.