16:00 Curragh (IRE) 18 Jul 2026
GAIN Railway Stakes
Group 2 | Class 1 | 2YO only
Winner €78,000 - 7 ran
tracked leaders and soon 3rd, took keen hold, pushed along 2f out, ridden and closer over 1f out, 2nd 1f out and soon led, edged left final 100 yards, kept on well
raced alone towards stands' side, prominent and ran freely, soon tracked leader, close 2nd 2f out, pushed along and led 1 1/2f out, ridden and headed early final furlong, no impression, kept on one pace
held up in touch, moderate 5th halfway, pushed along 2f out and closer in 4th over 1f out, ridden in 3rd early final furlong, no impression, kept on one pace
in touch behind leaders, dropped to rear after 1f, pushed along and detached halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, stayed on to go 4th inside final 100 yards, kept on one pace, just failed for 3rd
held up in touch, pushed along in moderate 6th halfway, ridden over 1f out, no impression
slowly into stride and went left from stalls, held up in touch, 4th halfway, pushed along over 2f out, ridden in 5th over 1f out, no extra
a little awkward from stalls, prominent and soon led at fast pace, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, weakened
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | €31.81 (2, 7) |
| Win | €4.50 (2) |
| Place | €1.40 (2), €2.50 (7), €1.15 (3) |
| Swinger | €2.50 (2, 3), €5.70 (2, 7), €3.50 (3, 7) |
| Exacta | €31.40 (2, 7) |
| Trifecta | €76.80 (2, 7, 3) |
Expert Analysis
A sub-standard Group 2, most of these having underwhelmed at Royal Ascot on recent runs, though Celeron ran out a good winner. The early pace was strong, Carry The Flag stepping up from five furlongs and forcing the gallop, and the winner seemed to relish it, coming off the bridle early but finding plenty.
CELERON had won a maiden impressively over course-and-distance before disappointing when making a quick return in the Windsor Castle but got back on track here after being notably strong in the market. He sat just behind the strong pace before being pushed along two furlongs out and responding well to pressure to be well on top at the line. He looked like seven furlongs would suit, and his trainer confirmed afterwards that he would go that way.
TRIBECA won a strong maiden over six furlongs at Navan in April before dropping back to five furlongs at Royal Ascot, a trip that looked too sharp. He bounced back here, perhaps paying a little for racing close to the strong pace, while racing alone up the near side may not have been ideal. A big horse, he may prefer some ease.
CONFUCIUS was sent off a short price again but had his limitations exposed in a race run to suit. He had no excuses.
THE SCALLIONATOR ran on well from off the pace and would prefer slower ground.
SWITCHING SIDES won a Fairyhouse maiden that has not worked out last time and was found out at this level.
IMMORTAL GUARD finished a close second in the Anglesey last time but was not in the same form here, not helped by an awkward start that meant he never really travelled.
CARRY THE FLAG set the pace before weakening late.
Video Highlights
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Replay: 16:00 Curragh 18th Jul 2026
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Good | 4 | True Love | 4 | 2 | 9 2 | - | 221 | 31 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Ryan Moore | 1/ 2 | 1:13.39 |
| 2024 | Good - Yielding | 5 | Henri Matisse | 5 | 2 | 9 5 | - | 1 | 36 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Wayne Lordan | 8/ 1 | 1:11.72 |
| 2023 | Good | 9 | Bucanero Fuerte | 3 | 2 | 9 5 | - | 13 | 12 days | A Murray (35 miles) | Rossa Ryan | 10/ 3 | 1:09.97 |
| 2022 | Good | 6 | Shartash | 1 | 2 | 9 5 | - | 31 | 49 days | J P Murtagh (3 miles) | Ben Coen | 9/ 1 | 1:14.44 |
| 2021 | Good | 14 | Go Bears Go | 7 | 2 | 9 5 | - | 12 | 9 days | D Loughnane | Rossa Ryan | 17/ 2 | 1:12.80 |
| 2020 | Yielding | 7 | Laws Of Indices | 7 | 2 | 9 5 | - | 91 | 25 days | K J Condon (3 miles) | Chris Hayes | 66/ 1 | 1:14.49 |
| 2019 | Good | 5 | Siskin | 2 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 11 | 36 days | G M Lyons (32 miles) | Colin Keane | 4/ 6 | 1:13.02 |
| 2018 | Good to Firm | 7 | Van Beethoven | 4 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 3124 | 7 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Ryan Moore | 9/ 10 | 1:12.45 |
| 2017 | Good - Yielding | 8 | Beckford | 9 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 1 | 49 days | G Elliott (32 miles) | Declan McDonogh | 11/ 2 | 1:11.71 |
| 2016 | Yielding | 8 | Medicine Jack | 3 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 361 | 28 days | G M Lyons (32 miles) | Colin Keane | 6/ 1 | 1:13.20 |
| 2015 | Good | 5 | Painted Cliffs | 4 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 81 | 9 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Ryan Moore | 7/ 1 | 1:13.29 |
| 2014 | Good to Firm | 7 | Kool Kompany | 1 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 1110 | 11 days | R Hannon | Fran Berry | 6/ 1 | 1:12.60 |
| 2013 | Good | 5 | Sudirman | 1 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 531 | 9 days | D Wachman (73 miles) | Wayne Lordan | 5/ 1 | 1:11.73 |
| 2012 | Soft | 6 | Probably | 1 | 2 | 9 3 | - | 31 | 14 days | D Wachman (73 miles) | Billy Lee | 7/ 1 | 1:17.24 |
| 2011 | Good | 5 | Lilbourne Lad | 2 | 2 | 9 1 | - | 121 | 20 days | R Hannon | Richard Hughes | 9/ 4 | 1:13.56 |
| 2010 | Good to Firm | 8 | Formosina | 1 | 2 | 9 1 | - | 31 | 14 days | J Noseda | Ryan Moore | 7/ 2 | 1:10.77 |
| 2009 | Good to Firm | 6 | Alfred Nobel | 3 | 2 | 9 1 | - | 231 | 31 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Johnny Murtagh | 6/ 4 | 1:15.05 |
| 2008 | Good to Soft | 6 | Mastercraftsman | 3 | 2 | 9 1 | - | 1 | 55 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Johnny Murtagh | 8/ 11 | 1:13.22 |
| 2007 | Good to Soft | 6 | Lizard Island | 2 | 2 | 9 1 | - | 2 | 11 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Seamie Heffernan | 10/ 3 | 1:18.71 |
| 2006 | Good to Firm | 9 | Holy Roman Emperor | 1 | 2 | 9 1 | - | 10 | 12 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Kieren Fallon | 4/ 1 | 1:12.50 |
