County Kildare News

Epsom Oaks winner WAS is one of 11 fillies remaining in the Darley Irish Oaks taking place at the Curragh this Sunday, following today’s final forfeit stage for entries.  The Aidan O’Brien trained performer will renew rivalry with Shirocco Star who finished third at Epsom. 2012 is the 25th year for the race to be sponsored by Darley Stud.
 
The Group 1 Classic also includes recent Lancashire Oaks winner Great Heaven and the Edward Lynam trained Colliding Worlds who have both been supplemented into the race at a cost of €40,000 each, while Princess Highway, winner of the Ribbledale Stakes at Royal Ascot is also among the entries and she represents Dermot Weld and the Moyglare Stud, who combined to win the Classic with Dance Design in 1996. The daughter of Street Cry is unbeaten this season having previously scored at Naas and Leopardstown and will prove a tough nut to crack.
 
H.E. The President of Ireland Michael D Higgins will present the trophies to the winning connections following the Darley Irish Oaks.
 
Paddy Power, official betting partner of the Curragh, have opened a book on the Darley Irish Oaks and bet as follows: 2/1 Princess Highway, 9/4 Was, 5/2 Great Heavens, 6/1 Shirocco Star, 16/1 Colliding Worlds and Twirl, 33/1 Betterbetterbetter, Livia Galilei and Wonderful, 40/1 Devotion, 50/1 Demurely.
 
The Group Three Jebel Ali Stables and Racecourse Anglesey Stakes has attracted 18 entries headed by course winner and hat-trick seeking Cay Verde. Other notable likely runners here are Cristoforo Colombo, Parliament Square, Heavy Metal and Hard Yards. The Group Three Kilboy Estate Stakes is another fascinating contest with Beach Of Falesa, Caponata, Princess Sinead, Soon and Tannery most notable among the 15 entries. The bettor.com Rockingham Handicap and Thalgo Ladies Derby for the leading lady riders are other races taking place.
 
Sunday is also Ladies Day with a team of judges including world famous milliner Louis Mariette, Jacqueline Honor Sullivan, Joe Murphy and Melanie Finn, showbusiness editor of the Evening Herald, selecting the winner of the Classic Ladies Race wear competition with ladies encouraged to have a hint of blue in the outfit. The prize includes a €3,000 shopping spree with Michael Murphy Home Furnishing and, a day of pampering at the Coogan Bergin Beauty Clinic.
 
A variety of free entertainment for children will also feature on the day
 
The first of eight races at the Curragh on Sunday, 22nd July commences at 1.40pm and the ground remains soft to heavy.
 
Racing also takes place Saturday with the KARE Race Day Minstrel Stakes as the feature race.