Await the Dawn set to represent Aidan O’Brien in feature race of China Race Day at the Curragh this Sunday
CHINA comes to the Curragh next Sunday, 10th June when there will be a major Chinese theme with the help of the Chinese Irish Cultural Academy. The Listed Coolmore Stud China Ireland Friendship Silver Stakes tops the bill on a seven race programme starting at 2.20pm and the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland Mr Luo Linquan, will be in attendance to present the prize to winning connections of the 10 furlong contest.
Aidan O’Brien, fresh from his superb double with Was and Camelot at Epsom last weekend, has entered three – Await The Dawn, Learn and Tower Rock – for the feature event, which he landed 12 months ago with Viscount Nelson. The Dermot Weld-trained Sapphire makes her eagerly awaited seasonal debut here. The daughter of Medicean won three of her six races last term, including in the Listed Go Racing In Kildare Finale Stakes at the Curragh in October, and is sure to be spot on ahead of her task on Sunday. The Clive Cox-trained Poet is the sole British raider, while Sharestan, Tannery, Brog Deas and recent Curragh scorer Midnight Soprano are other notable horses among the 15 entries.
Weld also has a strong hand in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap with Cloudracer and recent Wexford scorer Voleuse Des Coeurs to choose from. Rising Wind, Maggie Neary, Shamooda and Livia Galilei are other notable entries for the 12 furlong contest.
There are a total of 26 entries for the Red Mills Supporting China Race Day, while the Kildare Village China – Ireland Friendship Maiden has attracted an entry of 20 horses.
A Chinese Village will be created beside the main enclosure of the racecourse which will be fun for all the family and will feature Chinese food tasting, demonstration of Chinese music and dance, the famous Dragon Dance which will be performed before the first race and a display of Chinese crafts.
The first of seven races at the Curragh on Sunday commences at 2.20pm and the ground is currently good to yielding. Admission 15 euro and kids go free with the entertainment starting at 1.45pm