Skip links and go to Page Content

County Kildare News

logo-166-100.jpg

News Menu

News Archive


kws-advert.gif

Advertise Here



May 18, 2012

Strong home team set for Abu Dhabi Irish Guineas Festival

 
curragh-logo A strong Irish trained team is set to line up in the Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas and Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas taking place at the Curragh on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th May.


John Oxx has indicated that both Born To Sea and Takar are intended runners in the Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas, he said “both colts are in great form and will take their chance in the race.”


Dewhurst Stakes winner Parrish Hall is likely to represent Jim Bolger who currently has five colts in the race, “We won’t make our mind up for a couple of days and at this stage it is all ground dependent,” he said.


Aidan O’Brien, who won both the 1000 and 2000 Guineas last year, is likely to have a few runners in the 2000 Guineas and mentioned Wrote, Power and Daddy Longlegs as probably runners, while he nominated Homecoming Queen as a definite runner in the Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas and last year’s top 2 year old Maybe as a possible contender.


Dermot Weld is unlikely to have a runner in the 2000 Guineas, but will be represented in the 1000 Guineas by Yellow Rosebud. “She has come out of her recent Leopardstown race in great shape and is all set to run in the 1000 Guineas.”


Kevin Prendergast will be represented by La Colina in the 1000 Guineas. “La Colina ran a blinder to finish fifth in the Newmarket 1000 Guineas and she has come out of that race in great shape,” he said. “The Fugue was just three quarters of a length ahead of our filly that day and she really gave the form a big boost when romping to victory at York this week.”


David Wachman indicated that Aloof is a possible for the 1000 Guineas. “It is all ground dependent with Aloof and we will wait until nearer the time,” he said. “Fire Lily won’t run in the 1000 Guineas and will instead have a crack at the Weatherbys Ireland Greenland Stakes.”


Ger Lyons confirmed that he will wait until next week to decide on Lightening Pearl’s participation in the 1000 Guineas.


Aidan O’Brien expects to be represented by So You Think, Windsor Palace and Robin Hood in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, while the Group 1 contest is also likely to attract other notable Irish trained performers Famous Name and Bible Belt


The HH The Presidents Cup, the only race in Ireland run for pure bred Arabian horses, will take place on Sunday with runners from all over Europe expected to compete.


As always, fashion is top of the agenda for the girls and this year fashion is set to ‘take off’ as Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE and Irish Tatler will be searching for their ‘Classic Icon’ on Sunday.  Media personality Claire Byrne, Jessie Collins Editor of Irish Tatler and bridal designer Patrick Casey will award the prize to the overall winner of an amazing trip to Abu Dhabi with accommodation and return flights from the award winning Etihad Airways.


This year, the Curragh will encourage ladies to pre-register before the day through their new look website www.curragh.ie, however it will still be possible to register on the race days with roaming ‘Fashion Police’ who will also be inviting fashionably dressed race goers to enter the competition. The first 100 ladies who register for the Classic Icon competition will receive a fabulous goodie bag from Irish Tatler and will be invited into the Irish Tatler Style Lounge.


Race goers can also look forward to seeing the display of the Etihad Airways Formula One Ferrari, while the Guineas Shopping Village will feature a range of goodies from hats, antiques, jewellery, clothing and spa treatments from the 5 star Heritage Hotel, Golf and Spa resort.  Free entertainment for children will feature on Sunday.


Admission €20, under 25s and seniors €10.  Children under 16 accompanied by an adult go free.  Special 3 for 2 admission offer available by booking in advance.
1st race:  Sat 26th May, 1.40pm, Sun 27th May, 1.35pm.