The Curragh Racecourse is gearing up to host the highly anticipated Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival, a spectacular three-day racing event from June 27th to June 29th, 2025. This year marks a remarkable milestone as the Irish Derby celebrates 160 years of racing legacy, cementing its reputation as one of the most prestigious and exhilarating events on the global racing calendar.
The festival promises three days packed with world-class racing, live music, fashion, and family-friendly entertainment. A key highlight on the opening day, Friday, June 27th, will be the Corinthian Challenge Race, organized by Irish Injured Jockeys, featuring jockeys from around the world, including participants from Qatar, the UK, and Australia, competing for a noble cause.
The festival kicks off in style on June 27th with eight exciting races on the card:
The opening race is The Lock 13 Gastropub & Brewpub Irish EBF Maiden, a 6-furlong contest offering a prize fund of €20,000, set to start at 16:50. The contenders include Bobby McGee (GB), Cape Cod, Ennoble, Equilux, Extravagant, Fresh Fade, Green Universe, Jordi Bear, Krasimir, Learntodiscover (GB), Neolithic, Puerto Rico, Savile Row, Starred, Theroadtoserfdom, Annestown, Beautify, Composing, Dreamy Skies, Kensington Lane, Luna Mia (GB), Ridersinthesky (GER), She’s Too Kool, and Sky Watch.
The second race, The O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Irish EBF Fillies Maiden, spans 7 furlongs with €20,000 in prize money at 17:20. Notable runners include Annestown, Ballaghkeen, Beautify, Bofa Beach (GB), Cape Sounion, Celestial Siren, Composing, Dreamy Skies, Dunleer Dancer, Feel The Love, Hasita, Imnotleavinyou, Justiciar, Lonradh, Luna Mia (GB), Minerva, Phenomenal Filly, Precise, Princess Sioux, Proudly, Queen Of Hawaii, Ridersinthesky (GER), Sky Watch, Venosa (USA), and Zheleznaya Dama (USA).
The third race, The JJ Mahon & Sons Handicap, is a 7-furlong contest with a €30,000 prize at 17:50. Runners include Follow Me (FR), Kilt, Blues Emperor, Quadruple (GB), Four Blondes, Exquisite Acclaim, Genuine Article (GB), Goal Exceeded (GB), Mehman (GB), Ribchestina, Dark Viper (GB), Mercurial, Monotone, Genesis, Goldrush Kid, Verhoyen (GB), Secret Magician, Green Icon (FR), Hopes Are High, Manhattan Chute, and Showhound (GB).
At 18:20, the Silken Thomas Kildare Town Irish EBF Median Auction Maiden takes place over 1 mile with €20,000 up for grabs. The contenders are Among The Pines, Barbizon, Boomtown Lad, Dahoma, Dawn Coming, Dreaminthejungle, Fixation, Hopes Are High, Limbocall, Nobler (GER), Royal Belief, Boogie Inthejungle (GB), Eastern Peace, Ithacan Queen, Its All Peachy, Luscious, Made U Blush (GB), Plaza Athenee (GB), Pretty Omagh Girl, Qvee, She’s A Nation, Tickling, and Who’s Listening.
The fifth race, The James Nolan’s Bar Kildare Town Handicap, also over 1 mile, offers €21,000 in prize money at 18:50. The field includes Mr Rango, Quar Shamar (GER), Summer Snow, Tachos, Instant Appeal (GB), Lough Leane, Nocturnal, Plastic Paddy (GB), Valorous Power (GER), Catena Zapata, Dark Viper (GB), Port Louis, Ransom (GB), Dagoda, Eighty Eight, Verhoyen (GB), Neo Smart, Sylkie (GB), Genuine Jim, Refreshment, Moondharrig, Secret Magician, Lucky Out, Quatrain, Space Warrior, Empress Artemis, Truth Be Told, Zabeir, Heliogabalus, Cordouan (FR), Moonhall Church, Pallatine Hills, Wait For It, and Bluebelardo.
At 19:25, the sixth race, The Diageo Luxury Spirits Irish EBF Maiden, covers 1 mile 2 furlongs with €20,000 in prize money. Key contenders are Albert Hirsch, Frank Pickle, Triumphant Knight, Sosperi, Cezarro, Copper Craft, Dawn Coming, Down To Business (GB), Dreamed To Dream (FR), Drivers Seat (GB), Dun An Oir, Elman, Falls Of Acharn (GB), Flagstone, Game Point, Good Onya Mate, Haaylhuja, Lombardi Trophy, Luminous Approach, Nepal, Our Friend Mouse, Railgun, Simurgh, The Angelic Doctor (GB), Waterford Flow, Word For Word, Its All Peachy, Likewhatyousee (USA), Oranzona, Queen Of The Bogs, She’s A Nation, and Tswalu.
The penultimate race, The Fitzpatrick’s Mercedes-Benz Apprentice Derby Handicap, runs over 1 mile 4 furlongs at 20:00, offering €25,000. The field features Not Just Any Eagle, Bruant (GB), Crassus, Royal Hollow, Day Trader (FR), Pachmena, Pearl Jewel, Party Dress, Daboya, Barrogstown Girl, Chutzpal, Angelo Pio, Positive Energy, Matt Connor, Pralognan (FR), Fortuna Vera, Pillar Of Hope (GB), Red King, Lady Kai, Captain Hanley, Spanish John, Surrey Force (FR), Siorai, Cinammon Coco, Desmond Castle, Folly Beach (GB), Jr Mahon, Wertpol, and Sunny Dude.
The day concludes with the prestigious Corinthian Challenge Race at 20:35, covering 1 mile 4 furlongs, supporting the Irish Injured Jockeys. The field features Duke Of Leggagh, Magnetic North, San Andreas, Jungle Cove, Prairie Dancer, Seasett (GB), Bright Start (USA), Chortal (GB), Duke Silver, Relevant Range, The Mediator, Uncle Albert, Brilliant Light (GB), Derby De Thaix (FR), Fascinating Shadow, Mastastroque, Mighty Soldier, Monnow Valley (GB), Nitty Gritty, Red Hugh O’Donnell, Talking Tough, Zentopia, Angelsworknovrtime, Miss Fourie, Jazzy Rock, Red Ball Of Fire, Solar Breeze, and Mischief Man.
With world-class racing, charitable causes, and rich heritage, the 2025 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival at The Curragh promises an unforgettable experience for racing enthusiasts and families alike.
