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June 18, 2012

Superstar Camelot set for Irish Derby, Sat 30th June

 
Dubai Duty Free Irish DerbyCAMELOT is the name on everyone’s lips in racing at present and the son of Montjeu is the star attraction in Ireland’s premier Classic the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby to be run at the Curragh on Saturday evening, 30th June. Camelot, scintillating winner of both the Newmarket 2000 Guineas and the Epsom Derby will lead a strong team from trainer Aidan O’Brien, who will be attempting to win the race for the 10th time.

Anne Marie O’Brien, wife of trainer Aidan, said today, "Aidan is planning to run Camelot in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby but no final decision has been taken yet. He always has a few horses in the race and the other horses (Imperial Monarch, Astrology and Athens) are still all in the mix. It will be the weekend before plans are finalised."

There is a strong possibility that Epsom Derby runner Main Sequence will be supplemented into the race when entries close on Monday 25th June. Trained by David Lanigan in England, he will benefit from the reduction in the supplementary entry fee which was announced by the Curragh earlier this year.

Local trainer Dermot Weld has won this race twice before with Zagreb (1996) and Grey Swallow (2004) and he has high hopes that recent Group 3 race winner Speaking Of Which can supply him with his third success.

Another local trainer, John Oxx, has also won this race twice before with Sinndar (2000) and Alamshar (2003) and expects to be represented by Akeed Mofeed and Call to Battle. Jim Bolger, successful with St Jovite in 1992, is likely to run Light Heavy in the Group 1 contest although Parish Hall could be another contender if he recovers in time from his recent injury.

A free bus service from Dublin is available and the special ticket costing only €30 includes admission to Derby Day, return transport supplied by Dublin Coach and live concert by Ronan Keating after the last race . The first race is 3.40pm with the concert at 8pm.

The first bus will depart Westmoreland Street at 1pm and collect at Nassau Street (outside Trinity College), Jury’s Hotel in Ballsbridge, Bewley’s Hotel Leopardstown and Newlands Cross. The package has to be purchased in advance by 24th June calling 045 441205 or see curragh.ie. A variety of other admission packages are available with details on www.curragh.ie. Trains to Kildare Train station are met by a free shuttle bus to the racecourse.