Curragh Racecourse is gearing up to host the Juddmonte Irish Oaks Weekend, a two-day celebration of world-class horse racing, fashion, and family fun. Taking place on Saturday, July 19th and Sunday, July 20th, 2025, the event promises a lively mix of top-class Group races and vibrant social festivities. The feature race of the weekend is the Juddmonte Irish Oaks, scheduled for Saturday, July 19th. This prestigious Group 1 race is a classic contest exclusively for three-year-old fillies, making it one of the most anticipated events of the Irish flat racing calendar.
The action kicks off on July 19th at 13:30 with The Juddmonte Chaldean Irish EBF (Colts & Geldings) Maiden, a 7-furlong contest with a total prize fund of €20,000. The field features promising juveniles such as Action, Captain Con, Contrary To Law, Giovanni Giorgio (FR), Glowgetter, Go Just Do It (GB), I Carry You Home (GB), Isaac Newton, New Zealand, Palace Tyne, Seoul Force, Shaihaan, Strikewhileitshot (GB), Tashakour, and Tiyadal.
At 14:00, attention turns to a high-stakes Handicap race run over 6 furlongs and 63 yards, boasting a generous purse of €100,000. The lineup includes notable names like Big Gossey, Tango Flare, Fort Vega (FR), Heavenly Power, Daamberdiplomat, Canon’s House (GB), Dandyville, Moltophino, Bodhi Bear, Go Athletico (FR), Apache Outlaw, Goal Exceeded (GB), Greek Flower, Back Down Under, Gazelle D’or, and Sporting Hero (GB).
The third race on the card is The GAIN Railway Stakes (Group 2), set to go off at 14:35. This prestigious 6-furlong race carries a prize of €120,000. The entrants vying for Group success are Learntodiscover (GB), Power Blue, Puerto Rico, and True Love.
Following that, at 15:05, the sprinters take center stage in The Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes (Group 2) over a sharp 5 furlongs. With €120,000 on offer, the race features a competitive field including Erosandpsyche, Rumstar (GB), The Highway Rat, Mgheera (GB), Arizona Blaze (GB), Powerful Nation, Grande Marques, and Songhai.
At 15:40, the day reaches its climax with the running of the Juddmonte Irish Oaks (Group 1), the most coveted event of the weekend. This classic is contested over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs with a lucrative prize of €500,000. A quality group of fillies will go to post, including Bay Colony, Butterfly Wings (USA), Island Hopping, Merrily (USA), Minnie Hauk, Subsonic, and Wemightakedlongway.
The excitement continues at 16:15 with the Michael John Kennedy Curragh Cup (Group 2), a staying contest over 1 mile, 6 furlongs, and 16 yards. Offering €120,000 in prize money, the race has attracted Al Riffa (FR), Harbour Wind, Leinster, London City (USA), Queenstown, Uxmal, Comic Book (GB), Drawn To Dream, and Shackleton.
The penultimate race of the day is the Lavazza Sprint Nursery Handicap, taking place at 16:50 over 6 furlongs with a total prize of €26,000. The runners include Parkside Lad, Stop The Nation, Bobby McGee (GB), Extravagant, Gavoo, Nakamura, Award Ceremony, and Which Wolf Wins.
Closing out the Saturday card is The Cavalor ‘Bronchix Pulmo’ Irish EBF Fillies Maiden, scheduled for 17:25. This 7-furlong contest offers €20,000 in prize money. A large field of fillies has been declared, featuring Grecian Power, Angel Of Promise, Bel Espoir, Burford Beauty, Cannonball Queen, Grown Ups, Lady Crossing, Lady Mary Heath, Minaun View (GB), Morethan Ambitions (USA), Mousse, Proxima Centauri, Queen Aethelflaed, Shadow Of The Moon, Shelbiana, Skippinandajumpin, Sonoma Sunset, Therewillbeglory, Tina’s Charm, Winters Breath, and Youlookperfect.
With Group-level racing, elite competition, and a lively summer atmosphere, Juddmonte Irish Oaks Saturday at Curragh promises to be a highlight of the 2025 flat racing season.
