A Spectacular Weekend at the Home of Champions - Irish Derby Festival 2026- Review

The last weekend in June can only mean one thing in Irish Flat racing – The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival at the Curragh. Three glorious days of top-class racing, outstanding performances and fantastic entertainment once again showcased why the Curragh proudly holds the title of the Home of Champions.

The festival got underway on Friday evening with the ever-popular Locals' Night, where racegoers turned out in huge numbers to enjoy an excellent evening of racing and entertainment.
Aidan O'Brien wasted little time making his mark on the meeting as Abraham Lincoln led home stable companion Haffner in the opening two-year-old maiden. Ryan Moore guided the impressive winner to victory in the colours of the ownership partnership of Coolmore, Westerberg, Peter Brant and Jean-Pierre Dubois, giving Ballydoyle the perfect start to the festival.
Andy Slattery's Loughrea proved best in the three-year-old Median Auction Maiden, battling on gamely under Ben Coen to provide Mrs C. Holohan with a memorable success.
Ger Lyons and Juddmonte were on the scoresheet shortly afterwards when Prevelance landed the competitive mile handicap, before one of the finishes of the evening saw Summer Island, trained by Natalie Lupini, edge out her rivals in thrilling fashion under Oisin Murphy for owners Nigel O'Hare, Martin White, Mark Devlin and C.G. Bryson.
The Apprentice Derby delighted the local supporters as Curragh-based trainer Johnny Murtagh saddled Darius Dark to victory under Rory Mulligan for Newtown Anner Stud Farm.
Another local handler, Jessica Harrington, celebrated success when Wyman comfortably landed the three-year-old maiden for Hampstead Holdings, while Charles Byrnes rounded off the competitive card by saddling Reverend Hubert to victory in the two-mile contest for owner James M. Flaherty.
Friday evening concluded with the ever-popular Corinthian Challenge Charity Race, where amateur rider Robin De Pelsmaeker partnered San Andreas to victory for trainer Joseph O'Brien in front of an appreciative crowd.

Pretty Polly Day Delivers More International Quality
Saturday's feature was the prestigious Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes, where Epsom Oaks heroine Thundering On was sent off a warm favourite. However, the outstanding grey mare Estrange had other ideas, producing a decisive turn of foot inside the final furlong to record an impressive victory for owner Cheveley Park Stud, trainer David O'Meara and jockey Daniel Tudhope.
Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore continued their excellent meeting with another double. Giant Sequoia captured the opening two-year-old maiden for Resolute Racing, Coolmore and Westerberg, before Sun Goddess produced a polished display to win the Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes for the familiar ownership partnership of Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Westerberg.
One of the stories of the day belonged to trainer Robson De Aguiar, whose Ballinea Star landed the Group 3 Anglesey Stakes under Donagh O'Connor for owner Giselle De Aguiar.
Consistency was rewarded when Meridian, trained by Denis Hogan, made it four victories in succession in the seven-furlong Premier Handicap. Young owner Patrick O'Brien continues to enjoy a remarkable run with the progressive gelding, who was expertly partnered by Chris Hayes.
Johnny Murtagh enjoyed his second winner of the meeting when Fixation landed the Ladies Derby under Georgie Benson for JP Murtagh Racing, while Midnight Dusk gave trainer Jack Foley, jockey Billy Lee and owner Donnchadh Doyle another notable success.
Jessica Harrington also completed a festival double as Suspicious Mindz justified favouritism for owners Marcstown Farms, with jockey Jessica O'Gorman enjoying an excellent victory.

Benvenuto Cellini Claims Derby Glory
Sunday belonged to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, the Blue Riband of Irish Flat racing.
Following his disappointment at Epsom, Benvenuto Cellini bounced back in tremendous style. Ryan Moore delivered a masterclass in patience, weaving his way through the field before asking his mount to quicken in the straight. The response was immediate as the colt powered clear to defeat stable companion Christmas Day by almost two lengths.
It was another Classic triumph for Aidan O'Brien and yet another major success for owners Peter Brant, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg, further cementing their remarkable record at the highest level.
Earlier on the card, Ballydoyle had already struck when Alpha produced an impressive display to win the opening maiden for Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, giving Aidan O'Brien a Derby Day double.
Co. Carlow owner-breeders Michael & Ruth Foley enjoyed a memorable success when their homebred Genesis bravely held on to land the Rockingham Handicap under Wesley Joyce for trainer Michael Mulvany.
The evergreen Big Gossey once again demonstrated his love affair with the Curragh by capturing the Listed Dash Stakes for the Allegro Syndicate and trainer Charles O'Brien, adding another chapter to one of the track's great success stories.
The second Premier Handicap went the way of Pierre Royal, providing trainer Adrian McGuinness, jockey Adam Caffrey and the A Twist of Fate Syndicate with another deserved big-race victory.
Dermot Weld ensured another local success when Purview captured the Group 3 International Stakes under Colin Keane for the world-renowned Juddmonte operation.
Johnny Murtagh rounded off a magnificent weekend by saddling his third winner of the festival as Zodiac Bear landed the Listed Celebration Stakes under Ben Coen for owner Seamus McPeake.
The penultimate race went to the William Haggas-trained King of Earth, ridden by Tom Marquand, before In My Teens brought the curtain down on another outstanding Derby Festival with victory for owner JP McManus, trainer Gavin Cromwell and jockey Gary Carroll.
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A Festival to Remember
Away from the track, the atmosphere throughout the three days was exceptional. Despite a few intermittent showers on Saturday, racegoers embraced everything the festival had to offer, with The Whistlin' Donkeys and The Tumbling Paddies providing superb post-racing entertainment and ensuring the celebrations continued long after the final race each evening.
AIRO would like to congratulate all of the winning owners, trainers, jockeys and stable staff whose success contributed to another memorable Irish Derby Festival.  There were 24 official races over the three days with 23 individual winning owners and 17 winning trainers including two UK winners over the three days.
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Brian Kavanagh and the entire team at the Curragh Racecourse for delivering another outstanding festival. The professionalism, hospitality and attention to detail continue to make the Irish Derby Festival one of the highlights of the racing calendar.
A special word of appreciation also goes to Tattersalls, whose sponsorship of the Owners' Lounge once again provided owners with first-class hospitality, delicious refreshments and a welcoming environment throughout the weekend.