Curragh Racecourse gears up for vibrant Summer Saturday card
The Curragh Racecourse is preparing to throw open its gates on Saturday, August 23rd, for a Summer Saturday that promises not only eight competitive races but also music, family fun, and that lively August carnival atmosphere that regulars look forward to every year.
Opening with promise in the Little Big Bear Maiden
The curtain rises at 1:42 pm with the Coolmore Stud Little Big Bear Irish EBF Maiden, run over seven furlongs for €20,000. A strong line-up of fourteen two-year-olds will look to make their mark: Ciarrai Abu, Circle Of Life, Daring Heart, Lauda, Nil Bua Gan Dua (USA), Resurgence, Savile Row, Shadow Run, Take Charge Star, Thread Of Gold, Trustmore, Vidmiyr, Ice Dancer, and Starfinch.
Sprint speed in the Volkswagen Maiden
The Sheehy Motors Volkswagen Maiden follows at 2:17 pm across six furlongs, with €20,000 on offer. A bustling field of sixteen makes this a wide-open affair: Bennu, Desert Power, Java Wood, Arklow Lad, Astute Power, Cali Case (GB), Cecco (USA), Men Of Honour, Snowballs, Washington Street, Be Good Or Begone, Bluebelardo, Cash Me, Glory To Be, Mise Freisin, and Yutori (GB).
Fillies’ class in the Neville O’Byrne Memorial
The third contest at 2:52 pm brings the Neville O’Byrne Memorial Irish EBF Fillies Handicap, a €26,000 race stretching a mile and a half. Nine fillies go to post: Shaool, La Vita Nova, Heather, Oriole (GB), Beauparc, It’s A Heartbeat, Sissi, Party Dress, and Fortuna Vera.
Group 2 quality in the Futurity Stakes
Attention then turns to the Coolmore Stud Wootton Bassett Tom Cooper Irish EBF Futurity Stakes at 3:27 pm, a Group 2 with €120,000 at stake over seven furlongs. Five colts aim to take a major step toward autumn classics: A Boy Named Susie, Chicago Pope, Constitution River (FR), Geryon, and Go Just Do It (GB).
Debutante Stakes brings the fillies forward
At 4:02 pm, another Group 2 arrives in the form of the Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes, also run over seven furlongs for €120,000. The field features six promising fillies: Balantina, Brownstown (GB), Composing, Evolutionist, Skydance (GB), and Suzie Songs.
Handicap battles into the evening
Staying power takes centre stage at 4:37 pm in the Kwiff: Home Of The Supercharge Handicap over a mile and a half, carrying €21,000. Fourteen go to post: Slurricane, Sir Callisto, Frank Pickle, Solar Breeze, Angelo Pio, Dancing Steve, Spring Dance, Voice Of Reason, Autocrat, Daboya, Dream Escape (GB), Eighty Eight, Miss Nifty, and Goldino.
That sets the stage for the Donohue Marquees Maiden at 5:10 pm across ten furlongs with €20,000 in prize money. Ten contenders line up: Baron Blake (FR), Bartholomew (GB), Direct Approach, Hamadhan, King Winner (FR), Saratoga, Slaney Drive, Bright Night, Etawa, and Lifting Sails.
The finale over the minimum trip
The action closes at 5:40 pm with the Kwiff: Proud Sponsors Of The Supercharge Series Handicap over the minimum trip of five furlongs, worth €18,000. A full field of thirteen sprinters will thunder down the Curragh straight: Emerald Harmony, Nezeeh, Mary Shoelaces, Viamonte, Titan Sun, Clonmacash (GB), Hero Of The Hour (GB), Cupola (GB), I’m Spartacus, Beano Power, Step Back In Time, Happy Henry, and Havana Notion (GB).
A day for the summer series
This is the penultimate leg of the August Summer Saturdays Series at the Curragh Racecourse, with the finale set for August 30th. The card mixes emerging talent, Group 2 quality, and competitive handicaps, all wrapped in a summer festival atmosphere that should make it one of the most colourful fixtures of the year.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, visit RaceBuzz.com.
