Curragh 18 July 2026

Going: Good to Firm (Good in places)
 
 
Sunny spells

Forecast: Sunny spells
Temperature: 10.4° - 22.7°
Rainfall: none
Wind: 10.7 mph NE

All Racecards within one PDF

Instructions

1

13:10 Curragh (IRE) (2YO only)

Juddmonte 'Lead Artist' Irish European Breeders Fund (C & G) Maiden

7f

Winner €15,000 - 6 ran

No.
(Draw)
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Expert View (star rating)

This has the makings of a very decent maiden. PORTO VECCHIO catches the eye for Dermot Weld as a full-brother to the stable's Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Homeless Songs. The son of Frankel has significant big-race entries and it is worth noting that his sister was good enough to win on her racecourse debut. Aidan O'Brien is going for five in a row in this contest and fields three newcomers in Speakers Corner, Victory Speech and Drumbeat with preference for the former as Ryan Moore's pick. All of these Wootton Bassett colts hold the same Group 1 entries, so a market check is imperative. Johnny Murtagh's Fort Dearborn is more than capable of a good showing too.

2

13:40 Curragh (IRE) (3YO plus)

Hailey Equine Irish European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden

7f

Winner €15,000 - 11 ran

No.
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VISHAYA made a bold bid off the front over an extended mile at Killarney during the week before finishing second. She could be the one to follow down in trip on a quick turnaround for an in-form team. Nautic Star was a solid third over further at this track last month and is likely to contend for honours. Aidan O'Brien's Pink Coral takes a drop in trip on her fourth start and, if improvement is forthcoming, she would have to be feared as a half-sister to a Group 3 winner. Rebel Wave was just pipped by a head at Limerick but encounters much faster ground, while Stooked and Otsana are interesting newcomers well worth a market check.

3

14:15 Curragh (IRE) (Class 1) (4YO plus)

Al Shira'aa Racing Meadow Court Stakes (Fillies' & Mares' Group 3)

1m 2f

Winner €42,000 - 8 ran

No.
(Draw)
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
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Paddy Twomey's ONE LOOK loves the Curragh with form figures of '1121242' and her runner-up berth behind Estrange in the Group 1 Pretty Polly over C&D is the standout piece of form on offer. She won this race last year and is a big player for further glory. Nyra, who was a Group 3 winner in Germany last year, looks to be coming to the boil in Ireland after a close second in the Group 3 Munster Oaks at Cork. Moody is in terrific form and looks a very useful second string to the selection on her step up in class. Francophone is down in class in a bid to spark her back into winning ways, but has plenty to find on official ratings.

4

14:50 Curragh (IRE) (3YO plus)

Liverpool FC Foundation Scurry Handicap (Premier Handicap)

6f 63y

Winner €60,000 - 20 ran

No.
(Draw)
Form
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Age / Wt / OR
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Bought out of William Haggas' yard in the autumn, HEADMASTER has already recouped his purchase price of 48,000gns after a win here in May and a fine second over 7f at Cork last month. He's up another 3lb for that latest run, but there should be more to come from the superbly-bred four-year-old, who is by Dubawi out of three-time Prix de la Foret winner One Master. Dark Ace is also progressive and, after a profitable spring campaign in Britain, was a closing third over 5f here on Derby weekend behind Genesis. He'll be suited by stepping back up in distance. Prolific handicap winners in Britain, Dark Thirty and Sondad have to enter calculations too.

5

15:25 Curragh (IRE) (Class 1) (3YO plus)

Tulfarris Hotel And Golf Resort Sapphire Stakes (Group 2)

5f

Winner €78,000 - 10 ran

No.
(Draw)
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
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Donnacha O'Brien trains July Cup winner Comanche Brave and HAVANA ANNA is another smart sprinter in his yard. She's had two good runs over 6f this term, a Group 3 success at Naas before finishing fourth in the Commonwealth Cup, but the minimum distance won't be a problem for her as shown by her smart juvenile form. She has been supplemented for this Group 2, so has clearly gone the right way since Royal Ascot. There was virtually nothing between Rosy Affair and Jakajaro when they narrowly missed out on a first three-finish in the King Charles III Stakes over 5f at the Royal meeting, and both are major players here.

6

16:00 Curragh (IRE) (Class 1) (2YO only)

GAIN Railway Stakes (Group 2)

6f

Winner €78,000 - 7 ran

No.
(Draw)
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
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Expert View (star rating)

The three main protagonists are identically rated, but CARRY THE FLAG looks to have the strongest claims. He had Immortal Guard over a length behind when second over C&D to the subsequent Coventry Stakes winner in May and, after a disappointing display himself at the Royal meeting, bounced back to win at Listed level at Naas. He needed every yard to get up close home over 5f that day, and connections feel he'll be suited by stepping back up to this trip. After finishing a fair sixth in the Coventry, the selection's stablemate Confucius was too keen when turned over at short odds here on Derby weekend where he finished third, a head behind runner-up Immortal Guard.

7

16:35 Curragh (IRE) (Class 1) (3YO only)

Juddmonte Irish Oaks (Fillies' Group 1)

1m 4f

Winner €289,999 - 10 ran

No.
(Draw)
Form
Horse
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Connections of INIS MOR can be rewarded for stumping up a 50,000-euro supplementary fee. The daughter of Galiway just denied Earth Shot at Goodwood before finishing third in the French Oaks over an extended 1m2f. She is bred to appreciate this step up in trip. Thundering On must be respected on her impressive win in the Oaks, with Sugar Island, Cameo and Amelia Earhart all well behind. However, the form of that race hasn't been well advertised since and she was subsequently only fourth here in the Pretty Polly Stakes.

8

17:10 Curragh (IRE) (3YO only)

Hill Of Allen Stud Handicap

1m 2f

Winner €15,601 - 6 ran

No.
(Draw)
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
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Expert View (star rating)

VANIR beat all bar Saga Gaga (won again since) at Gowran before stepping up to 1m4f and overcoming some trouble in running to score at Fairyhouse. The Johnny Murtagh-trained filly should have further scope for improvement. Yousaynothingatall easily made all on soft ground at Cork and the form of her third in a Listed race at Leopardstown has worked out well since. Noble Honour had Tanzanite Diamond and Trustmore behind when filling the runner-up spot behind Antigua at Fairyhouse.

9

17:45 Curragh (IRE) (3YO plus)

WTW Willis Handicap

5f

Winner €15,000 - 18 ran

No.
(Draw)
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
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Rating
Expert View (star rating)

REAL ENCOUNTER had Namiid four lengths back in third when showing good pace throughout to take a Dundalk maiden over this trip in April. The selection has performed with credit since in handicaps, including when runner-up over C&D, and is now fitted with cheekpieces for the first time. Happy Henry has won over this distance at both Navan and Bellewstown this season and is respected, while Sovereign Cry had a number of these rivals behind when successful at Naas.

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