There was a sense of occasion at The Curragh Racecourse last weekend as the first Classic meeting of the Irish flat season unfolded under glorious sunshine. At the home of champions, an enthusiastic crowd was treated to a superb two days of racing, showcasing the very best of Irish talent alongside international competition.
 
Gstaad Delivers Classic Success in the 2000 Guineas
The feature on day one, the Irish 2000 Guineas, provided a fitting centrepiece as Gstaad delivered a Classic success for Aidan O'Brien in the familiar colours of Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier and Michael Tabor.
 
It was a standout performance on a day dominated by jockey Ryan Moore, who recorded a superb four-timer. Moore got the meeting off to a flying start aboard Sergei Diaghilev, landing the opening two-year-old maiden for Westerberg and the Coolmore partners.
 
He later partnered Commanche Brave to victory in the Weatherbys Ireland Group 2 Greenland Stakes for Donnacha O'Brien and owner Muhaideb A. AlMuhaideb. Moore and Aidan O’Brien combined once again in the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes, where Causeway showed admirable determination to hold on for victory.
 
Elsewhere on the card, local trainer Dermot Weld saddled Purview to take the Listed Orby Stakes for owners Juddmonte.  The premier handicaps provided competitive and entertaining contests, with Perry Mason, trained and owned by Maurice Ahern, making all under Leigh Roche. Gavin Cromwell’s Invincible Will secured the second handicap for Andrew and William Treacy.
 
The second premier handicap saw a dramatic finish, with Eddie Lynam’s Headmaster getting up late to win in the colours of his brother John Lynam.  The finale went the way of Joseph O'Brien, as Count Bezukhov landed the three-year-old maiden under Dylan Browne McMonagle, completing a double on the day for him and Westerberg.
 
International Flair and Ballydoyle Brilliance on Day Two
Day two brought further quality, headlined by two Group 1 contests.
The Tattersalls Gold Cup saw the British raider Almaqam strike for the UK under Kieran Shoemark for trainer Ed Walker, adding an international dimension to the weekend.
The Irish 1000 Guineas, however, returned to Ballydoyle, with Precise delivering an impressive performance under Wayne Lordan for the Coolmore partners.  This success completed a treble on the day for Aidan O’Brien, who also saddled Sun Goddess to win the opening two-year-old maiden and Great Barrier Reef to capture the Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes, all ridden by Ryan Moore.
 
Paddy Twomey enjoyed Group 2 success as City of Memphis took the Lanwades Stud Stakes for the Zinlo Syndicate under Billy Lee.  Joseph O’Brien was back among the winners as Green Carrera landed the mile handicap in the colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
 
Andy Oliver’s Pretty Omagh Girl claimed the second handicap, while the meeting concluded with Westminster Moon providing Tony Martin and owner John Breslin with a fitting success under Seamie Heffernan.
 
A Positive Outlook for Irish Racing
It was a fantastic weekend of racing, and the management and team at the Curragh deserve tremendous credit for the quality of the event and the experience delivered.
 
The new three-year prize-money plan is already having a visible impact.  With the Curragh adding to prize-money levels across the weekend, comparisons with leading jurisdictions such as France, particularly at black-type level, are now increasingly positive, a welcome development for Irish racing.
 
AIRO would also like to acknowledge the continued support of Tattersalls, sponsors of the Owners’ Lounge at the Curragh, which continues to provide an excellent facility for owners.
 
All in all, the opening Classic meeting of the Irish season delivered on every level, competitive racing, strong international representation and a lively atmosphere.
 
Well done to all involved 

Winning Team: Oghill House Stud - David Hyland, Martin Booth, Donal Booth & Tom Molumby

2nd Team - IHRB - Brendan Groarke, Brendan Madden, Andrew Ring & Pat Kelly

3rd Team - Goffs Team - Charles Shanahan, Shane Power, Cathal Gorman & Tadhg Dooley

Longest Drive Winner - Jack Galway (Punchestown Team)

Nearest the Pin Winner - Terence Sheehan (Mountmassey Syndicate Team)

​If ever there was a week that underlined Ireland’s dominance at Cheltenham Festival, this was it.
From the opening exchanges on Tuesday through to a commanding finale on Friday, Irish-trained runners spearheaded by the relentless force of Willie Mullins dictated the narrative in emphatic fashion.
The tone was set early on Tuesday as Kargese, owned by Kenneth Alexander, landed the Grade 1 Arkle under Danny Mullins. Saratoga struck for JP McManus in the Fred Winter under a measured ride from Mark Walsh much to the delight of Curragh trainer Padraig Roche. The day, however, belonged to Lossiemouth, who delivered a performance of the highest calibre to capture the Champion Hurdle, handing Willie Mullins and Paul Townend the first of several marquee victories.
Wednesday only reinforced that grip. King Rasko Grey and Kitzbuhel continued Mullins’ remarkable run for owners Mrs Audrey Turley and Mrs Joe Donnelly.  Final Orders added to Ireland’s tally in the Cross Country Chase for Gavin Cromwell and the ecstatic CMD Syndicate with Conor Stone Walsh in the saddle. The feature on day two fell to Il Etait Temps, again showcasing the Mullins–Townend partnership in the colours of Hollywood Racing and Barnane Stud. There were scenes of utter jubilation in the parade ring when The Mourne Rambler closed the day in style in the Weatherby’s Champion Bumper for owner Philip Polly and trainer Noel Meade under a brilliant ride from Ireland’s Champion Flat Jockey Colin Keane.
On Thursday, Gordon Elliott entered the winner’s enclosure as Wodhooh claimed the Mares’ Hurdle for the Sundowners Partnership, while the patrons at Cheltenham racecourse were serenaded by Owner Sean O’Driscoll when his horse Home by the Lee powered home in the grade 1 stayers’ hurdle for trainer Joseph O’Brien and JJ Slevin. Heart Wood in Brian Acheson’s Robcour colours delivered a standout success in the feature Ryanair Chase for Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe, giving us another reminder of the depth of talent across the Irish training ranks.
Friday provided a fitting crescendo for the festival. Apolon De Charnie got Patrick Mullins off the mark winning the Triumph Hurdle for owner Edward Ware and Willie Mullins. Dinoblue struck gold for JP McManus and Willie Mullins in the grade 2 Mares Chase giving jockey Mark Walsh a double for the festival. The defining moment of the Festival came in the Gold Cup, where Gaelic Warrior, owned by Rich and Susannah Ricci, powered home under Paul Townend to secure his fifth victory in the race, a landmark achievement and providing the owners with their first Gold Cup Victory. The curtain fell on Cheltenham Festival 2026 with Air of Entitlement in the Martin Pipe, a festival double for owner Robcour and Henry deBromhead, ensuring Ireland signed off in the same commanding fashion it began.
Across four days, the story was unmistakable: precision, depth and dominance. Willie Mullins horses were on fire with seven grade 1’s and a grade 2 win for seven individual owners. It was a festival that had it all, we had the powerhouses, smaller sole owners, partnerships and syndicates all finding their way into the winner’s enclosure. Ireland retained the Prestbury Cup, although admittedly with a smaller advantage. Willie Mullins won leading trainer with eight wins, Paul Townend was leading Jockey with four wins, all grade 1’s and JP McManus was once again leading owner with four wins as many seconds and three thirds.
Fairyhouse Easter Festival, Aintree and Punchestown are lining up in front of us as we look forward to lots more jumping action in the coming weeks.