The Lion in Winter set for Goffs Million challenge on Saturday
Full field of 30 expected for Friends of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch on Sunday
Current 2025 Derby favourite The Lion in Winter remains on course for the Goffs Million this Saturday, the feature race of day 1 of the Autumn Racing Weekend at the Curragh.
The unbeaten Aidan O’Brien colt is one of 29 potential contenders for the valuable contest. Other notable entries include Apples and Bananas, Lightning Bear, Celtic Motif, Nancy J and America Bar, while a strong British trained contingent includes Evangelic, Imperial Trooper, Invincible Song, Mollie Foster and Bolo Neighs.
The Montane Developments Beresford Stakes has attracted 13 entries. Trainer Aidan O’Brien will be strongly represented with eight entries to select from including Delacroix, Lambourn, Puppet Master and Trinity College. The prestigious Group 2 contest also features Hotazhell trained by Jessica Harrington, Beckman trained by Ger Lyons, Truth be Told trained by Dermot Weld, the Joseph O’Brien trained Tennessee Stud, while Windlord trained by Andrew Balding is the sole British trained contender.
20 riders are set to line up in the annual Glenroyal Hotel Student Derby with strong international representation from third level institutions from Britain, France, Spain and Switzerland, while the home team will include riders representing Trinity College, UCD, DCU, UCC, Maynooth University, MTU, NUIG, Cafre, SETU, DKIT, CCC and Dunboyne College of Further Education.
Sunday features the Friends of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch, the richest handicap race in Europe. Currently there are 41 horses remaining in the two mile contest with a full field of 30 likely to be declared on Friday. Last year’s winner Magellan Strait is set to represent trainer Joseph O’Brien, while other notable contenders include Falcon Eight, Chally Chute, Lily Hart, My Mate Mozzie, The Euphrates, Nurburgring and Yashin. A Strong British trained challenge features Tashkhan, Naqeeb, Divine Comedy and Zoffee.
Last year’s Flying Five Stakes winner Moss Tucker is one of 15 entries in the SBK Renaissance Stakes. The Group 3 contest has also attracted My Mate Alfie, Firebird, Super Sox, Big Gossey and Go Athletico, while Go Bears Go and Spycatcher represent British based trainers David Loughnane and Karl Burke respectively.
Impressive Leopardstown winner Swelter is one of 24 entries in the Weld Park Stakes. Other notable contenders include Chantez, Fiery Lucy, Heavens Gate, Cercene, Barnavara and Ballet Slippers, while a strong British team includes Alla Stella and Consent trained by Sir Mark Prescott and the William Haggas trained First Instinct
Ground
Good to firm, Good in places
4mm of irrigation will be applied
Forecast
Mainly Dry today and tomorrow with possibility of 5 to 6mm tomorrow night into Thursday morning Mainly dry thereafter
Track
Racing on grandstand side with stalls in centre for sprints
Where to watch
TG4 2.35 and 3.45pm races
Racing TV and their associates, live coverage all races
Entries
Saturday Microsoft Word – 2024_ONOR288 (hri-ras.ie)
Sunday Microsoft Word – 2024_ONOR289 (hri-ras.ie)
Times
Gates open 12 noon.
1st race Sat 1.25pm and Sunday 1.30pm
Transport
Free shuttle bus from Kildare and Newbridge Towns and Stations