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

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

4th

4

(12)

19th Apr 2026

Soft

1m 2f 0y

15:35 Curragh

Green Impact

9st 5lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

Beat the top-class Delacroix in Group 2 at Leopardstown at two (1m, good); sixth in 2,000 Guineas before making all in Listed race at Leopardstown last June (1m1f, good); respectable sixth in the Irish Derby (1m4f, good); front-running effort petered out when fourth in York Group 2 event, though was best of the Classic generation; should make a smart middle distance 4yo.

9/2

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

1st

5

(2)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

14:35 Chester

Lambourn

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Very much at the top his generation last year, winning the Chester Vase at this meeting before going on to classic glory at Epsom and the Curragh (all three wins over 1m4f on good ground); he was undeniably disappointing in the Great Voltigeur (1m4f, good to firm) and St Leger (14.5f, soft), but this looks a good starting point for his 4yo career given the race conditions and he should take the beating if anything like back to his best; cheekpieces are given a go.

6/4

4th

3

(1)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 1

15:40 Doncaster

Lambourn

9st 3lb

J: Sean Levey

T: A P O’Brien

Set the pace when winning the Derby at Epsom by nearly 4l and helped to set it when he dug deep to follow up in Irish Derby at the Curragh (again 1m4f on good) later in June; 3l fifth when 4-5 in the Great Voltigeur at York last month looked disappointing, notwithstanding the sprint from early in the straight, but his trainer has stressed that it was a stepping stone to bigger prizes in the autumn; the two Derby wins suggest this trip won't be a problem and they are the best form in this field.

11/4

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

3rd

8

(2)

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

18:12 Sandown

Lazy Griff

9st 3lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Johnston

Runner-up in the Derby at Epsom (1m4f, good) last June and kept on well for third in the Irish Derby at the Curragh (1m4f, good) later that month; absent since but this lightly raced 4yo could be suited by the step up in trip and he's a major player if ready to rumble after his absence.

7/2

3

(4)

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:10 Curragh

Lazy Griff

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Johnston

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.

10/1

6

(3)

7th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

15:30 Epsom

Lazy Griff

9st 2lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: Charlie Johnston

Sizeable advance in form when making all in a Group 3 at Chantilly (1m1f, good) on final 2yo start and he looked to have gone the right way over the winter on reappearance in Group 3 Chester Vase (about 1m4f, good) when it wasn't a breeze for Lambourn to get past him; aims much higher now, though.

50/1

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

1st

3

(4)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Pride Of Arras

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Won his only race as a 2yo and the future looked bright indeed when he reappeared with a ready win in the Group 2 Dante at York (1m2f, good to firm) in May; his career has gone dramatically off the rails in the Derby (4-1 second favourite) and Irish Derby, however, and with far fewer apparent excuses in the latter, which was followed soon afterwards by a gelding operation; begins the road back by returning to the scene of his finest hour.

9/1

4

(8)

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:10 Curragh

Pride Of Arras

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

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.

15/2

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

8th

8

(10)

23rd May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 0y

13:55 Curragh

Puppet Master

9st 7lb

J: Ben Coen

T: Ciaran Murphy

Ex Ballydoyle-trained; won Lingfield Derby Trial last year but well held in both 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.

16/1

5

(3)

16th Aug 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

16:37 Curragh

Puppet Master

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

3yo represents stable that has won this nine times, including last year; built on promise of reappearance effort behind Delacroix when winning the Derby Trial at Lingfield (11.5f, gd-fm); off since below par effort in the Irish Derby; gets weight from his older rivals but needs to prove stamina for this trip (mixed messages in pedigree); obvious chance if he stays.

9/4

5

(7)

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:10 Curragh

Puppet Master

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

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.

12/1

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

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

16

(12)

7th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

15:30 Epsom

Tennessee Stud

9st 2lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Out of half-sister to top-class miler Rock Of Gibraltar; upgraded his 2yo form when dealing with heavy ground to beat Green Storm in a three-runner race for Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud (1m2f) in October; the race looked to be needed when he was beaten nearly 7l by Delacroix in a Group 3 at Leopardstown (1m2f, good) last month but that's quite a gap to bridge.

25/1

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