The Curragh Racecourse is set to host the third and final day of the prestigious Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival 2025 on June 29th. As a pinnacle event of the Irish Flat Racing calendar, the Irish Derby draws top-class thoroughbreds, passionate racegoers, and global attention, promising thrilling sporting action in historic surroundings.
The day’s racing begins with The Dubai Duty Free Handicap at 13:15, a 1m1f contest offering a prize fund of €100,000. The field features notable contenders such as Thunder Wonder, Mississippi River, Shiota, Viking Invasion, Dignam, Iron Fist, Lady In Paris (GB), Tangapour, Calrissiana (GB), Triple Double A, Its All Peachy, Sujet (GB), and Nyman.
The action continues with The Dubai Duty Free Derby Festival Handicap over 1 mile at 13:50, also carrying €100,000 in prize money. The line-up includes Power Under Me, Coeur D’or, Chazzesmee, Love Billy Boy, Spoken Truth, State Actor, Booyea, Akecheta, I Am Superman, Retracement, Serialise, Urban Sprawl (GB), and Slieve Binnian.
Race three is the listed Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes, a 6-furlong sprint worth €100,000, scheduled for 14:25. Star sprinters entered include My Mate Alfie, Big Gossey, Erosandpsyche, King Cuan (GB), Russet Gold (GB), Tango Flare, Navassa Island, Vespertilio (FR), East Hampton (GB), Seattle (FR), and Songhai.
At 14:55, the listed Colm McLoughlin Celebration Stakes unfolds over a mile, with €100,000 up for grabs. Runners include Lord Massusus, Howyoulikethat, Skukuza (GB), The Liffey, Wahdan, Bluedrum, Alakazi (FR), Currawood, and Fiery Lucy (GB).
The fifth event is the high-speed Dubai Duty Free Rockingham Handicap, a 5-furlong contest with €100,000 in prize money at 15:30. The field features Thunderbear, The Highway Rat, Keke (GB), Little Queenie, Go Athletico (FR), Duran, Apache Outlaw, Greek Flower, Harry’s Hill (GB), Fair Taxes, Red Evolution, Moral Turpitude, Sporting Hero (GB), and Cuban Grey (GB).
All eyes will then turn to the day’s feature, the €1,250,000 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1) at 16:10, run over 1m4f. The elite field includes Green Impact, Lambourn, Lazy Griff (GER), Pride Of Arras, Puppet Master, Serious Contender, Shackleton, Sir Dinadan, Tennessee Stud, and Thrice, making this a showdown of stamina, speed, and class.
Next is The Tulfarris Hotel And Golf Resort Irish EBF Ragusa Handicap, also over 1m4f, worth €100,000 at 16:50. Leading the charge are Harbour Wind, Star Harbour, Mashhoor (GB), Westminster Moon, Lope De Lilas, Cheeky Wink, Cloud Seeker (GB), Fleetfoot, Soaring Monarch, Ceallach, Zoffman, Lord Church, Mo Ghille Mar, Beset (GB), and First Ascent.
The penultimate race is The GAIN Summer Fillies Handicap at 17:20, a 7-furlong test with €100,000 at stake. The field includes Dance Night Andday, Indigo Five, Mataariki (FR), Orchidaceae, Bella Isabella, Bellaphina, Murkala, Sweet Chariot, Va Va Vroom, Enchanted Garden, White Clover, Gloriously Glam, and Neo Smart.
The festival concludes with The Dubai Duty Free Irish EBF Stayers Handicap, run over 2 miles with €50,000 in prize money at 17:55. The extensive line-up features London City (USA), Eastern Legend, Gentleman Joe (GB), Jabbar, Brilliant Light (GB), Too Bossy For Us, Weston (GER), Mordor (FR), O’Reilly (FR), Dartan (GB), Brosna Town, Nans View, Filey Bay, La Vita Nova, Lot Of Joy, Mon Coeur, Common Practice, Brazil, La Dame Blanche, Reverend Hubert, Lord Erskine, Molly Hall, Pinot Gris, Golden Temple, Happy Jacky, Last Ammo, Open Secret (GB), Arch Enemy, and Dark Oak.
With elite racing talent, significant prize money, and the prestigious Irish Derby as its centrepiece, the final day at The Curragh promises an unforgettable spectacle for racing fans and punters alike.
