June 29 / 16.10 Curragh

16.10

Good

Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1)

  • Prize money: £588842.98
  • 1m 4f 0y
  • 10 runners
RTE1
View Course
Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: 211-61

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
1m Leopardstown maiden winner last July; followed up in 1m Group 2 Juvenile Stakes at the same venue in September, both times beating Delacroix, the Derby beaten favourite; unbalanced in the Dip when sixth in the 2,000 Guineas; should be fully primed following a workmanlike 1m1f Listed win at Leopardstown early in the month; pedigree implies he can stay this far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(5)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

18:35 Leopardstown

Green Impact

9st 9lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

Beat the top-class Delacroix in a Group 2 here as a juvenile; sixth in last season's 2,000 Guineas before making all in a 1m1f Listed race at this venue; respectable efforts in the Irish Derby (only run over 1m4f) and in a York Group 2; stamina not assured, judged on overall profile and two runs this season; well held in fourth in the Tattersalls Gold Cup.

6/1

4th

4

(2)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 110y

15:55 Curragh

Green Impact

9st 5lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

Beat the top-class Delacroix in a Leopardstown Group 2 as a 2yo (1m, good); sixth in the 2,000 Guineas before making all in a Leopardstown Listed race in June (1m1f, good); respectable efforts in the Irish Derby here (1m4f, good) and in a York Group 2 (10.5f, good); shaped as though he would improve over his return in a Group 3 here last time when fading into fourth (1m2f, soft); a good bit to find with the top ones here all the same.

25/1

10/11

Form: 15-211 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Dam a sprinter, has inherited stamina from his sire Australia, who he emulated in winning the Derby, making almost all and never seriously threatened; chased home by two of these rivals, Lazy Griff and Tennessee Stud, with the fancied Pride Of Arras in rear; had previously accounted for Lazy Griff in the Chester Vase; can now confirm his enhanced reputation on home territory.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(2)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:35 Ascot

Lambourn

9st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: A P O’Brien

Last season's Derby and Irish Derby winner who reappeared with a win in the Group 2 Huxley Stakes at Chester in May; however, he hasn't come up to scratch on his three starts since and needs to turn things around; the cheekpieces worn on his four outings this season are left off.

100/1

11th

7

(1)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Lambourn

9st 3lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Winner of the 2025 Derby; has worn cheekpieces this season, gamely beating Bay City Roller in the Huxley at Chester (good-ground Group 2) then failing by a long way to confirm the placings in a one-sided Coronation Cup on softer going; behind stablemate Jan Brueghel in that contest and is still a tad inferior to that horse on ratings but it will be interesting to see what he can do in the retained headgear returned to a forecast faster surface.

20/1

3rd

6

(6)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Lambourn

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Most wins on good ground but has form on soft; held on by only a neck from Bay City Roller on better terms in the Huxley (1m2f Group 2) at Chester on seasonal debut but proved game in first-time cheekpieces and, based on Ryan Moore's post-race comments, will come on for the run; notable contender in the retained headgear returned to the scene of his biggest moment, namely a clearcut success in last year's Derby (followed up in the Irish version).

13/2

Form: 131-22

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Made all in a Group 3 at Chantilly (1m1f, good) on final 2yo start; has matured into a high-class performer, outrunning his odds on two occasions, 25-1 when making Lambourn work for victory in the Chester Vase and 50-1 when chasing home the same opponent in the Derby; stays well and would benefit from further easing in the ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(3)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 87y

Class 1

14:40 Chester

Lazy Griff

9st 11lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Charlie Johnston

Chased home Lambourn in last year's Chester Vase and Derby (also third to him in the Irish Derby); missed the second half of last season but showed he's still as good as ever when defeating the reopposing Lady Vivian in 2m Sandown Listed race (good) last month; raced freely and weakened quickly in the Goodwood Cup with cheekpieces added (quickly discarded) but he can bounce back with his sights lowered today.

7/4

7th

4

(3)

28th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Lazy Griff

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Charlie Johnston

Second last term in the Derby and third in the Irish Derby; not seen afterwards as a 3yo but 2m races at Sandown this season have seen his promise renewed for serious stamina tests; it was just a four-runner Listed race last time when he dominated from the front at 4-7, so he needs much better today, but cheekpieces are enlisted and he's a fascinating newcomer to a top staying race.

12/1

1st

3

(1)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Lazy Griff

9st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Johnston

Runner-up in the Derby at Epsom last June and kept on well for third in the Irish Derby at the Curragh (also 1m4f on good) next time; showed he retains plenty of ability when a 2l third in C&D Group 3 in May (ahead of three of today's rivals), leaving the impression a stronger gallop would have suited; should come on for that first start in 11 months and looks the one to beat.

4/7

Form: 1-10

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Impressed despite betraying inexperience when winning a 1m maiden on good at Sandown; on sole 2yo start; became a strong Derby candidate after his winning return in the Group 2 Dante at York; nothing went right for him at Epsom (bumped at the start, failed to settle well, raced wide); one bad run can be forgiven, but wider doubts about the Dante form abound.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(5)

19th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

15:35 York

Pride Of Arras

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

York has brought out the best in him, as evidenced by last season's Group 2 wins in the Dante (C&D, good to firm) and Great Voltigeur (1m4f, good to firm) and last month's second behind Item in the Group 2 York Stakes over C&D (good to firm); he may have been inconvenienced by making the running last time but has something to find back in a Group 1.

40/1

2nd

4

(5)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

14:35 York

Pride Of Arras

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Has an unblemished record at York, winning the Dante (1m2f) and Great Voltigeur (1m4f) last season; had a delayed start to 2026 due to a bruised foot and almost certainly needed the run when last of eight in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud three weeks ago; interesting with that outing behind him and back on the Knavesmire.

11/2

Form: 214-41 D

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Kept on for fourth behind Delacroix (2 1/2l off runner-up Lambourn) in the 1m2f Group 3 Ballysax at Leopardstown on reappearance; suited by the step up in trip when winning the Lingfield Derby Trial (Listed) by a short head from stablemate Stay True; missed engagement in the King Edward VII Stakes; looks second-best of a Ballydoyle quintet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

21st Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

16:56 Kilbeggan

Puppet Master

11st 9lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Ciaran Murphy

Ex-Ballydoyle; won a Listed race at Lingfield last year; purchased for 78,000gns in October but has been soundly beaten in two starts over hurdles and two Flat races for new yard; needs to improve.

15/2

5th

2

(6)

25th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 110y

17:40 Gowran Park

Puppet Master

9st 12lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Ciaran Murphy

Ex-Ballydoyle; won Lingfield Derby Trial last year but well held in Irish Derby and Irish St Leger; bought for 78,000gns and has been soundly beaten in two hurdle races and a Curragh Listed contest for new yard; top rated of these, but others bring more compelling recent form.

12/1

5th

6

4th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 40y

17:15 Bellewstown

Puppet Master

11st 0lb

J: Eoghan Finegan

T: Ciaran Murphy

Ex-Ballydoyle; won Lingfield Derby Trial last year but well held in Irish Derby and Irish St Leger; bought for 78,000gns and soundly beaten on yard debut in Grade 2 Leopardstown hurdle at Christmas; tried in a tongue-tie here and plenty on his plate in what looks a hot Listed race.

7/1

Form: 421-12

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Won a 1m maiden on soft at Leopardstown on final juvenile start; maintained progression when winning a 16-runner handicap over 1m2f at same track on return; now helps to make up the numbers following a solid handicap display over this trip at Royal Ascot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(1)

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:10 Curragh

Serious Contender

9st 2lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: A P O’Brien

Won a 1m maiden on soft at Leopardstown on final juvenile start; maintained progression when winning a 16-runner handicap over 1m2f at same track on return; now helps to make up the numbers following a solid handicap display over this trip at Royal Ascot.

33/1

5

(21)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:05 Ascot

Serious Contender

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Big-race entries; won a maiden at Leopardstown (1m, soft) final 2yo start; always close up to justify favouritism again in a 16-runner handicap at same track (1m2f, good; unraced on firmer) on return, working his way to the front late on as Light As Air flashed home for a close second; needs further improvement but likely to stay; one of three for Aidan O'Brien.

7/2

1st

5

(4)

30th Mar 2025

Yielding

1m 2f 0y

16:20 Leopardstown

Serious Contender

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

in touch with leaders, went fourth but pushed along over 2f out, ridden and went second final 110yds, ran on well to lead towards finish

7/2

Form: 213-44 C

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Course maiden winner over 1m1f on good ground on third start last year; could manage only third when favourite for the Zetland Stakes last October and again a beaten favourite on seasonal debut in the Gallinule Stakes; limitations confirmed by his fourth placing behind fellow Irish raider Carmers in the Queen's Vase.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(10)

19th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 2f 0y

15:26 Leopardstown

Shackleton

9st 3lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: A P O’Brien

Hasn't added to Currah 2yo maiden win but some good efforts in smart company, notably Queens Vase fourth and second behind Al Riffa in Group 2 Curragh Cup (1m6f, good); stamina test of 2m1f Irish Cesarewitch seemed beyond him last time and now takes a marked drop in trip.

9/1

8

(26)

28th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 170y

16:22 Curragh

Shackleton

9st 9lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Third of three for yard and Lordan rides; not beaten far behind Carmers in the Queens Vase at Royal Ascot in June; good second behind Al Riffa in the Curragh Cup (1m6f, good) on penultimate; weakened over 2m latest; stamina a query on handicap debut.

14/1

5th

6

(2)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Shackleton

8st 8lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Sole win (eight races) remains a 2yo maiden; Group assignments all five starts since, his most competitive displays when a close, front-running fourth in Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot and second of five in another 1m6f Group 2 at the Curragh last time; may well stay 2m but had no answer to the Curragh winner and needs big improvement from today's new trip and/or first-time headgear.

15/2

Form: 021-42

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Ended juvenile campaign with a wide-margin novice win at Pontefract (1m2f, soft); just over 3l fourth of five behind the Aidan O'Brien-trained Swagman in Group 3 Classic Trial at Sandown (1m2f, good) on reappearance; no match for talented stablemate Amiloc in 1m3f Goodwood event; winner franked the form at Royal Ascot, but he is the again the yard's second-string.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(1)

4th Oct 2025

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

14:25 Ascot

Sir Dinadan

9st 0lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ralph Beckett

40-1 fifth of ten in the Irish Derby (1m4f, good) in June, front rank long way; it's a concern that his rating that day is well in advance of his others, and also that he was beaten so far in the storm at Glorious Goodwood on latest outing, but he needs a second look with tongue tied first time.

8/1

4

(7)

31st Jul 2025

Good

1m 3f 218y

Class 1

14:30 Goodwood

Sir Dinadan

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Belied his 40-1 odds with an apparently good fifth in the Irish Derby and new rating gives him a leading chance in this field; however, may be flattered by that result; no match for unbeaten stablemate Amiloc in Listed grade at Goodwood (1m3f) the time before; not entirely solid.

8/1

Form: 121-33

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Coped with heavy ground to beat Green Storm in three-runner Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud (1m2f) last October; needed the race and unsuited by a muddling gallop and quick ground when around 7l third behind Delacroix in the Ballysax in May; did best of those who came from off the pace when finishing strongly for third in the Derby; holds a fighting chance in the rematch.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(4)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 4y

16:25 Curragh

Tennessee Stud

9st 11lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Group 1-winning 2yo; made the frame last year in the Derby/Irish Derby and career-best when winning the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay (1m7f, very soft) at Longchamp in October; disappointing in a Group 2 Riyadh contest in January; fair third in a 2m Listed race at Down Royal in May.

7/1

3rd

2

(6)

29th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

18:50 Down Royal

Tennessee Stud

9st 10lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Group 1-winning 2yo made the frame last year in Epsom/Curragh Derbies and career-best when winning the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay (1m7f, very soft) at Longchamp in October; disappointing when last seen in Group 2 Riyadh contest in January, fading tamely on quick ground after forcing much of pace; demands plenty of respect on overall form.

13/8

9

(10)

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:10 Curragh

Tennessee Stud

9st 2lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Coped with heavy ground to beat Green Storm in three-runner Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud (1m2f) last October; needed the race and unsuited by a muddling gallop and quick ground when around 7l third behind Delacroix in the Ballysax in May; did best of those who came from off the pace when finishing strongly for third in the Derby; holds a fighting chance in the rematch.

4/1

Form: 314-61 C

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Won a 7f Listowel maiden last year and was fourth in a Leopardstown Group 3 on soft over 1m1f; remote sixth behind Lambourn in the Chester Vase on return; much better when a promoted winner of the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes over 1m2f at this venue, outperforming shorter-priced stablemate Shackleton.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(1)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Thrice

9st 2lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: A P O’Brien

Blinkered all starts; promoted to first in Group 3 at the Curragh (1m2f, good) in May, making most and bumped 1f out in a very tight finish; improved again when 80-1 in the Irish Derby at same track (1m4f, good) in June, albeit seventh of ten and coming about four and a half lengths behind winner Lambourn, therefore having something to find with him today.

66/1

10

(3)

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:10 Curragh

Thrice

9st 2lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: A P O’Brien

Won a 7f Listowel maiden last year and was fourth in a Leopardstown Group 3 on soft over 1m1f; remote sixth behind Lambourn in the Chester Vase on return; much better when a promoted winner of the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes over 1m2f at this venue, outperforming shorter-priced stablemate Shackleton.

50/1

2nd

4

(2)

23rd May 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

18:55 Curragh

Thrice

9st 5lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Won a 7f Listowel maiden last year and was fourth in a Leopardstown Group 3 on soft over 1m1f; however, was beaten a long way over 1m4f in the Chester Vase on return and appears to be the yard's second-string today.

8/1

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Lambourn

TOPSPEED:

Shackleton

RP RATINGS (IRE):

Lambourn

POSTDATA:

Lambourn

The Irish Sun:

Lambourn