16:25 Curragh (IRE) 19 Jul 2026
1xBet.ie Proud Supporters Of Irish Racing Curragh Cup
Group 2 | Class 1 | 3YO plus
Winner €78,000 - 6 ran
rear, 6th halfway, switched left and effort 1 1/2f out, headway in 4th on outer 1f out, ran on well in 3rd final 150 yards to lead closing stages, kept on best
pushed along to lead, headed after 2 1/2f, 2nd halfway, led narrowly over 3f out, headed closing stages, kept on
towards rear, rear of mid-division after 1f, 4th halfway, switched right over 2f out, headway in 3rd under 2f out, kept on same pace closing stages
rear of mid-division, towards rear after 1f, 5th halfway, stayed on in 2nd 1f out where edged right, dropped to 4th closing stages, one paced close home
tracked leader, led after 2 1/2f, headed over 3f out, dropped to 5th and slightly hampered 1f out, no impression, eased closing stages
tracked leader, mid-division after 1f, 3rd halfway, 4th under 2f out, dropped to 6th and hampered 1f out, soon weakened, eased closing stages
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | €121.65 (7, 4) |
| Tricast | €243.68 (7, 4, 1) |
| Win | €7.50 (7) |
| Place | €2.10 (7), €4.40 (4) |
| Exacta | €54.30 (7, 4) |
| Trifecta | €182.30 (7, 4, 1) |
Expert Analysis
A steadily run staying race where the emphasis was on late speed, the race setup suiting the winner much more than Al Riffa and Illinois, though both those horses may have been feeling the effects of recent runs at Royal Ascot.
TRUSTYOURINSTINCT added to his terrific record at this track, relishing the steady pace stepping up in trip, travelling best throughout and quickly settling matters late. He may prove just as effective in a well-run race, though that sort of contest would surely suit some of his rivals better.
HAPPY PHAROAH raced in the right place making the running and was seen to good effect though does seem to have improved this season.
AL RIFFA had the best form on offer but was not at his best, the slow pace not suiting while he also met some trouble going down the inner in the straight. He is better than this and will have plenty of opportunities to prove it this autumn.
FLORESTA was back in open company and ran well despite lugging under pressure in the finish. She came from off the pace and would have preferred a stiffer test.
ILLINOIS won the Queen Alexandra last time but has not been at his best this season. He was beaten when getting a bump a furlong from home.
TENNESSEE STUD failed to build on his return at Down Royal though would prefer slower ground.
Video Highlights
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Replay: 16:25 Curragh 19th Jul 2026
Previous winners
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Good | 7 | Al Riffa | 7 | 5 | 9 11 | - | 210-342 | 28 days | J P O'Brien (39 miles) | Dylan McMonagle | 4/ 5 | 3:01.81 |
| 2024 | Good | 10 | Tower Of London | 10 | 4 | 9 11 | - | 249-115 | 64 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Ryan Moore | 13/ 8 | 3:01.60 |
| 2023 | Soft | 9 | Emily Dickinson | 3 | 4 | 9 8 | - | 461-164 | 30 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Ryan Moore | 6/ 4 | 3:16.00 |
| 2022 | Good | 7 | Camorra | 3 | 5 | 9 11 | - | 3217-55 | 34 days | G M Lyons (32 miles) | Colin Keane | 10/ 1 | 3:03.70 |
| 2021 | Good to Firm | 8 | Amhran Na Bhfiann | 2 | 4 | 9 13 | - | 432-140 | 10 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Colin Keane | 9/ 2 | 3:03.28 |
| 2020 | Yielding | 6 | Twilight Payment | 1 | 7 | 9 13 | - | 170-721 | 21 days | J P O'Brien (39 miles) | Declan McDonogh | 8/ 15 | 3:07.18 |
| 2019 | Good | 10 | Twilight Payment | 7 | 6 | 9 11 | - | 423-241 | 42 days | J S Bolger (31 miles) | Kevin Manning | 7/ 1 | 3:03.83 |
| 2018 | Good to Firm | 7 | Flag Of Honour | 3 | 3 | 8 11 | - | 151-350 | 28 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Ryan Moore | 7/ 2 | 3:02.46 |
| 2017 | Good | 7 | Rekindling | 5 | 3 | 8 11 | - | 210-140 | 29 days | J P O'Brien (39 miles) | Wayne Lordan | 4/ 1 | 3:03.33 |
| 2016 | Good | 4 | Sword Fighter | 1 | 3 | 8 10 | - | 3-2131 | 9 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Seamie Heffernan | 11/ 4 | 3:08.37 |
| 2015 | Good | 6 | Bondi Beach | 6 | 3 | 8 10 | - | 12 | 23 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Seamie Heffernan | 7/ 1 | 3:03.31 |
| 2014 | Good to Firm | 7 | Ernest Hemingway | 5 | 5 | 10 0 | - | 41136-8 | 92 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Joseph O'Brien | 6/ 4 | 3:04.68 |
| 2013 | Good to Firm | 7 | Ernest Hemingway | 1 | 4 | 9 11 | - | 1702-4 | 84 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Seamie Heffernan | 12/ 1 | 2:56.33 |
| 2012 | Soft | 7 | Hartani | 4 | 3 | 8 10 | - | 511 | 38 days | J M Oxx (3 miles) | Johnny Murtagh | 5/ 2 | 3:12.72 |
| 2011 | Good to Soft | 7 | Red Cadeaux | 2 | 5 | 9 11 | - | 29-2014 | 6 days | E A L Dunlop | T McLaughlin | 7/ 2 | 3:05.82 |
| 2010 | Good to Firm | 5 | Tactic | 1 | 4 | 9 11 | - | 2454-21 | 35 days | J Dunlop | Tadhg O'Shea | 5/ 1 | 2:58.92 |
| 2009 | Good | 5 | Profound Beauty | 3 | 5 | 9 8 | - | 321135 | 235 days | D K Weld (3 miles) | P J Smullen | 5/ 1 | 3:03.35 |
| 2008 | Good to Soft | 7 | Septimus | 3 | 5 | 10 0 | - | 10-1211 | 288 days | A P O'Brien (73 miles) | Johnny Murtagh | 1/ 2 | 3:07.17 |
| 2007 | Soft | 5 | Peppertree Lane | 4 | 4 | 9 11 | - | 0-91413 | 6 days | C & M Johnston | Kevin Darley | EVENS | 3:10.99 |
| 2006 | Good | 7 | Kastoria | 3 | 5 | 9 8 | - | 2122-14 | 43 days | J M Oxx (3 miles) | Mick Kinane | 9/ 4 | 2:58.60 |
