All you need to know ahead of Irish Derby Weekend 2025
The three-day Festival will light up the Curragh this weekend
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Los Angeles comes home first under Ryan Moore at the 2024 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby
One of the jewels in the racing summer’s crown, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby returns this weekend as part of a packed three days at The Curragh.
This year marks 160 years of the Irish Derby, as well as being the third Classic of the Irish season, and sees leading trainers from both sides of the Irish Sea bidding to claim one of the sport’s most prestigious honours.
Aidan O’Brien is bidding to complete an unprecedented French/Epsom/Irish Derby treble but there will be no shortage of trainers bidding to land the spoils themselves.
The Derby is one of two Group 1s across the weekend, while there is plenty more to enjoy on and off the track.
What time does racing start?
The three-day Festival begins from 4.50pm on Friday, when the card features a special event in aid of the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund. The Corinthian Challenge, the last race on the card at 8.30pm, will see amateur jockeys go head-to-head and supporting a cause close to the heart of the Irish racing industry.
Saturday’s eight-race card begins from 1.15pm, with the G1 Pretty Polly Stakes at 3.30pm, while Sunday’s action kicks off at the same time, with the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at 4.10pm.
Who will be in action?
Lambourn, Lazy Griff and Tennessee Stud were the first three finishers in the Epsom Derby and a rematch is one the cards, with the trio among the 10 confirmations for Sunday’s showpiece.
Lambourn is bidding to become Aidan O’Brien’s 17th winner in this race and is the current market leader, while four of his stablemates are also in the running.
Green Impact, a winner at last year’s Champions Festival who won a Listed race at Leopardstown earlier this month, turns out for Jessica Harrington, while Dante Stakes winner Pride Of Arras is one of two in contention for Ralph Beckett and Charlie Johnston runs Lazy Griff.
Juddmonte’s Kalpana, trained by Andrew Balding, is one of 15 fillies left in the running for Saturday’s Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes.
She could go up against O’Brien’s Oaks runner-up Whirl and David O’Meara’s Estrange, a Group 3 winner at Doncaster in her sole outing of the season so far.
The Joseph O’Brien-trained Wemightakedlongway, who finished fourth in the Oaks at Epsom, is also in the field while in-form Paddy Twomey currently has six in contention as he looks to add to La Petite Coco’s victory in 2022, as well as building on his maiden Royal Ascot triumph last week.
What else is on?
There is no shortage of entertainment off the track across the weekend.
As the sun sets on Friday’s meeting, The Classic Beatles will perform in the Champions Hall, while the Curragh will be alive with fantastic Irish musicians, the Ramblin Rovers and more amazing performances.
The Whistlin’ Donkeys will bring the Festival to a close on Sunday evening with their unique blend of traditional Irish music and Celtic rock influences.
It is also a big weekend on the fashion front. The K Club’s Most Stylish Racegoer Award will be judged by comedy creator Kayleigh Trappe on Saturday, with a summer florals theme. The winner will enjoy three nights in one of The K Club’s luxury suites.
Celebrity chef and style icon Clodagh McKenna will be on the panel on Sunday, alongside Dubai Duty Free’s Alpana Cidambi.
The winner of the Best Dressed Competition will win a prize package from Dubai Duty Free including return flights to Dubai for two, five nights at a luxurious hotel and spending money.
Where do I buy tickets?
Click here to secure your place in the crowd this weekend.