It was an 18th success in the premier Irish classic for Aidan O’Brien, who also trained the runner-up and third placed horse.

The winner, who was declared a non-runner in the Betfred Epsom Derby at the beginning of the month, ran out a one-and-three-quarter length winner over the Epsom victor, Christmas Day (4/1), who, as in the English classic, was ridden by Ronan Whelan.

Pierre Bonnard (9/1), in the hands of Wayne Lordan, came home third, a neck behind the runner-up.

”If there was any weakness in his armour, it was going to be exposed.”

The master of @Ballydoyle reveals he was by no means convinced that Benvenuto Cellini had a Derby-winning performance in him after what happened at Epsom. pic.twitter.com/qobUubcqMs

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 28, 2026

In ensured a 1-2-3 for owners Coolmore who were responsible for four of the runners in the eight-horse field.

The post Benvenuto Cellini Wins Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

A total of £2,765,000 is available over six races on the opening day.

Day One Races, History and Statistics

2.30pm The Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) 4+ £800,000 Straight mile

The Queen Anne Stakes, a race founded in 1840 in honour of the British Monarch who first established racing at Ascot in 1711. The race usually attracts Europe’s top older milers and achieved the highest three-year average rating of any Group 2 race in Britain from 1999 to 2002. This saw the race elevated to Group 1 status as of 2003, is a Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ contest for the Breeders’ Cup Mile, and among its notable previous winners are Cape Cross (1999), Goldikova (2010), Frankel (2012), Tepin (2016) and Baaeed (2022).

Irish-trained horses have been successful seven times in the race: Southbourne (1952), Upadee (1954), Imperial March (1975), Ad Valorem (2006), Haradasun (2008), Declaration Of War (2013), and Circus Maximus (2020).

Your Going Report a day out from #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/ktaaFlkIhO

— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 15, 2026

3.05pm The Coventry Stakes (Group 2) 2 £200,000 Six furlongs

The six-furlong Coventry Stakes is the early season highlight for two-year-olds. First run in 1890, it regained Group 2 status in 2004, having been a Grade 3 since 1984. It is the first Group race for two-year-olds in Britain each year. Notable past winners include The Tetrarch (1913), Mill Reef (1970), Chief Singer (1983), and Canford Cliffs (2009).

The winner of the race has been trained in Ireland on 14 occasions: Solinus (1977), Verglas (1996), Harbour Master (1997), Fasliyev (1999), Landseer (2001), Statue of Liberty (2002), Henrythenavigator (2007), Power (2011), Dawn Approach (2012), War Command (2013), Caravaggio (2016), Arizona (2019), River Tiber (2023), and Gstaad (2025).

Aidan O’Brien has 11 wins in the race, Ryan Moore five, while Coolmore partnerships have taken 11 wins since 1977.

3.40pm The King Charles III Stakes (Group 1) 3+ £700,000 Five furlongs

This race, originally called the Royal Stand Plate, became known by its present name in 2023. It is a Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ contest, offering a place in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Dayjur (1990), Choisir (2003) and Blue Point (2019) are notable former winners.

Ireland has been successful eight times since 1946, with Sound Track (1950), Cassarate (1952), Abergwaun (1973), Godswalk (1977), Solinus (1978), Bluebird (1987), Sole Power (2013 & 2014).

We’re all set for a blockbuster clash in the St James’s Palace Stakes

Watch it live on Sky Sports Racing at 4.20pm tomorrow.

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 15, 2026

4.20pm The St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) 3 colts £700,000 Round (old) mile

First run in 1834, a host of Epsom Derby winners have gone on to win the St James’s Palace Stakes, notably British Triple Crown winners Ormonde (1886), Rock Sand (1903) and Bahram (1935). Nowadays, the St James’s Palace Stakes usually features colts that won or were placed in the Irish, English, or French 2,000 Guineas, with the race having Group 1 status since 1988.

Some of the notable past winners of the contest are Brigadier Gerard (1971) and Frankel (2011).

There have been 17 Irish-trained winners since 1946: Chevastrid (1957), Thatch (1972), Jaazeiro (1978), Dara Monarch (1982), Brief Truce (1992), Giant’s Causeway (2000), Black Minnaloushe (2001), Rock Of Gibraltar (2002), Azamour (2004), Excellent Art (2007), Henrythenavigator (2008), Mastercraftsman (2009), Dawn Approach (2013), Gleneagles (2015), Circus Maximus (2019), Poetic Flare (2021), and Paddington (2023).

Aidan O’Brien is the most successful modern day trainer with 9 wins, while former Ballydoyle rider, Mick Kinane, has six successes to his name. Coolmore partnership colours have been carried to victory nine times: Giant’s Causeway (2000), Black Minnaloushe (2001), Rock of Gibraltar (2002), Excellent Art (2007), Henrythenavigator (2008), Mastercraftsman (2009), Gleneagles (2015), Circus Maximus (2019), and Paddington (2023).

Bow Echo Gstaad

Which side are you on in the St James Palace Stakes? pic.twitter.com/WOgHsgRqPP

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 14, 2026

5.00pm The Ascot Stakes (Handicap) 4+ £120,000 Two miles, four furlongs

Founded in 1839, the two-and-a-half-mile handicap is one of only four races at Royal Ascot in which the field passes the winning post twice. Trainers whose main emphasis is jump racing have enjoyed great success in the race, particularly Martin Pipe (5 wins) and Willie Mullins (4 wins).

Junior (2010), Simenon (2012) – the last horse to complete the Ascot Stakes/Queen Alexandra Stakes double, and Coltrane (2022) are some of the more famous former winners of the race, which Ireland has won 10 times since 1977, with San Sebastian (1998), Barba Papa (2000), Leg Spinner (2005), Simenon (2012), Domination (2014), Clondaw Warrior (2015), Jennies Jewel (2016), Thomas Hobson (2017), Lagostovegas (2018), and Ascending (2025).

5.35pm The Wolferton Stakes (Listed) 4+ £125,000 One mile, two furlongs

The race became a listed contest rather than a listed handicap in 2018. The mile-and-a-quarter contest for older horses has been won by the likes of Contributer (2014), Addeybb (2019), and Royal Champion (2023). There have only been two Irish-conditioned winners of the race In Time’s Eye (2003) and Sir Isaac Newton (2016).

6.10pm The Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) 4+ £120,000 One mile, six furlongs

Run over a mile and three-quarters, this handicap for four-year-olds and upwards was introduced as part of the enhanced order of running for Royal Ascot in 2020. Notable winners include subsequent Ebor winner Fujaira Prince (2020) and Vauban (2023), now racing in Australia.

The post Royal Ascot 2026: Day One Schedule appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

There there are a number of small changes to this year’s meeting, starting with the Windsor Castle Stakes now being a six furlong contest with sire restrictions.

The Norfolk Stakes and the Chesham Stakes have swapped positions, with the former now the first race on the Saturday in order to maximise television exposure for that race in the USA.

On Thursday, the Gold Cup and the Britannia Stakes will be run at slightly earlier times in order to avoid a clash with the FIFA World Cup, while the upper handicap limit for the Copper Horse has been reduced to 100 from 105, in order to support the Listed Grand Cup at York Racecourse.

DAY ONE TUESDAY 16TH JUNE TOTAL PRIZE MONEY £2,765,000

2.30pm The Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) 4+ £800,000 Straight mile
3.05pm The Coventry Stakes (Group 2) 2 £200,000 Six furlongs
3.40pm The King Charles III Stakes (Group 1) 3+ £700,000 Five furlongs
4.20pm The St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) 3 colts £700,000 Round (old) mile
5.00pm The Ascot Stakes (Handicap) 4+ £120,000 Two miles, four furlongs
5.35pm The Wolferton Stakes (Listed) 4+ £125,000 One mile, two furlongs
6.10pm The Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) 4+ £120,000 One mile, six furlongs

DAY TWO WEDNESDAY 17TH JUNE TOTAL PRIZE MONEY £2,110,000

2.30pm The Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) 2 fillies £175,000 Five furlongs
3.05pm The Queen’s Vase (Group 2) 3 £265,000 One mile, six furlongs
3.40pm The Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2) 4+ fillies & mares £250,000 Round (old) mile
4.20pm The Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1) 4+ £1,000,000 One mile, two furlongs
5.00pm The Royal Hunt Cup (Handicap) 3+ £175,000 Straight mile
5.35pm The Kensington Palace Stakes (Handicap) 4+ fillies & mares £120,000 Straight mile
6.10pm The Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed) 2 £125,000 Six furlongs

DAY THREE THURSDAY 18TH JUNE TOTAL PRIZE MONEY £1,620,000

2.30pm The Chesham Stakes (Listed) 2 £125,000 Seven furlongs
3.05pm The King George V Stakes (Handicap) 3 £120,000 One mile, four furlongs
3.40pm The Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2) 3 fillies £250,000 One mile, four furlongs
4.15pm The Gold Cup (Group 1) 4+ £700,000 Two miles, four furlongs
4.50pm The Britannia Stakes (Handicap) 3 colts & geldings £130,000 Straight mile
5.35pm The Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3) 3 £175,000 One mile, two furlongs
6.10pm The Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap) 3+ £120,000 Seven furlongs

DAY FOUR FRIDAY 19TH JUNE TOTAL PRIZE MONEY £2,135,000

2.30pm The Albany Stakes (Group 3) 2 fillies £125,000 Six furlongs
3.05pm The Commonwealth Cup (Group 1) 3 colts & fillies £700,000 Six furlongs
3.40pm The Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap) 3+ £120,000 One mile, four furlongs
4.20pm The Coronation Stakes (Group 1) 3 fillies £700,000 Round (old) mile
5.00pm The Sandringham Stakes (Handicap) 3 fillies £120,000 Straight mile
5.35pm The King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2) 3 colts & geldings £250,000 One mile, four furlongs
6.10pm The Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes (Handicap) 3 £120,000 Five furlongs

DAY FIVE SATURDAY 20TH JUNE TOTAL PRIZE MONEY £2,015,000

2.30pm The Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) 2 £175,000 Five furlongs
3.05pm The Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) 4+ £250,000 One mile, four furlongs
3.40pm The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) 4+ £1,000,000 Six furlongs
4.20pm The Jersey Stakes (Group 3) 3 £175,000 Seven furlongs
5.00pm The Wokingham Stakes (Handicap) 3+ £175,000 Six furlongs
5.35pm The Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap) 3 £120,000 One mile, two furlongs
6.10pm The Queen Alexandra Stakes (Conditions) 4+ £120,000 Two miles, six furlongs

The post Royal Ascot 2026: TV Coverage, Race Times, Distances & Prizemoney appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Here is a list – per day, per race – of the Irish-handled horses who currently hold entries.

Day One: Tuesday, 16 June 2026

3.05 Coventry Stakes (Group 2)

Arizona Raider (IRE) Michael Mulvany
Bull Shark (IRE) Robson Aguiar
Confucius (IRE) A P O’Brien
Great Barrier Reef (IRE) A P O’Brien
High King (IRE) Donnacha Aidan O’Brien
The Harv (IRE) M D O’Callaghan
The Scallionator (IRE) Michael Mulvany

3.40 King Charles III Stakes (Group 1)

Mission Central (IRE) A P O’Brien

4.20 St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) (Round Course)

Gstaad (GB) A P O’Brien
Power Blue (IRE) Robson Aguiar
Puerto Rico (IRE) A P O’Brien

5.00 Ascot Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Bunting (FR) W P Mullins
Reaching High (IRE) W P Mullins
Mordor (FR) Gordon Elliott
Galileo Dame (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Comfort Zone (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Defiantly (FR) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Small Fry (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Westminster Moon (IRE) A J Martin
Ismahane (GER) P Twomey
Glenroyal (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Puturhandstogether (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Tim Toe (IRE) Henry De Bromhead
Kizlyar (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien

5.35 Wolferton Stakes (Listed)

Adelaide River (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Galen (GB) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Gaucher (GB) W P Mullins

6.10 Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Ascending (IRE) Henry De Bromhead
Aeronautic (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Your Going Report a day out from #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/ktaaFlkIhO

— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 15, 2026

Day Two: Wednesday, 17 June 2026

2.30 Queen Mary Stakes (Fillies’ Group 2)

Armor Supreme (IRE) Diego Dias
Big Negotiator (GB) P Twomey
Velozee (IRE) P Twomey
Victorious (IRE) A P O’Brien
Your Song (IRE) Robson Aguiar

3.05 Queen’s Vase (Group 2)

Asakir (IRE) J P Murtagh
Limestone (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Port Of Spain (IRE) A P O’Brien

3.40 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Fillies’ And Mares’ Group 2) (Round Course)

Jancis (IRE) W McCreery
Carolina Jetstream (GB) Robson Aguiar
Catalina Delcarpio (IRE) P Twomey
Snellen (IRE) Gavin Patrick Cromwell

4.20 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1)

Mississippi River (IRE) A P O’Brien
Minnie Hauk (IRE) A P O’Brien

5.00 Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Straight Course)

Jagged Edge (IRE) Stephen Thorne
Diego El Queso (IRE) G M Lyons

6.10 Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed)

Celeron (GB) M D O’Callaghan
Ischgl (IRE) Ciaran Murphy
King Of Cloughan (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
One Number (USA) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Our Boy Bailey (IRE) Mrs John Harrington
Ruler’s Control (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Sergei Diaghilev (IRE) A P O’Brien
Controlla (IRE) Robson Aguiar

Ryan Moore on Aidan O’Brien and the jockey’s choice of Ballydoyle rides in big races here in conversation with @nickluck ahead of Royal Ascot.

Enjoy the full feature on our YouTube channel! @WorldPool

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 15, 2026

Day Three: Thursday, 18 June 2026

2.30 Chesham Stakes (Listed)

Aix La Chapelle (USA) A P O’Brien
King Of Cloughan (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Nola Soul (USA) J A Stack
On Just Terms (USA) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
South Dakota (IRE) A P O’Brien

3.05 King George V Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Port Of Spain (IRE) A P O’Brien
New Zealand (IRE) A P O’Brien
Nil Bua Gan Dua (USA) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Amadeus Mozart (IRE) A P O’Brien
Cannes (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Port Ferdinand (IRE) A P O’Brien
Trojan Fighter (GB) P Twomey
Atomic City (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Dial Me In (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Enceladus (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Believed (IRE) J P Murtagh
Genchev (GB) G M Lyons
Bay Of Stars (GB) D K Weld

3.40 Ribblesdale Stakes (Fillies’ Group 2)

Cameo (IRE) A P O’Brien
Composing (IRE) A P O’Brien
Dark Lucinda (IRE) P Twomey
Johanna Walsh (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Sparan Nua (IRE) J S Bolger
Sugar Island (IRE) A P O’Brien

4.15 Gold Cup (Group 1)

Al Riffa (FR) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Dallas Star (FR) Robson Aguiar
Jan Brueghel (IRE) A P O’Brien
Carmers (IRE) P Twomey
Scandinavia (USA) A P O’Brien

4.50 Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Straight)

Isaac Newton (IRE) A P O’Brien
Dorset (IRE) A P O’Brien
Bamako Beach (IRE) M D O’Callaghan
Flushing Meadows (USA) A P O’Brien
Victory Tip (IRE) Henry De Bromhead
Bobby McGee (GB) Noel Meade
Accredited (FR) A P O’Brien
Jamestown (IRE) David Marnane
God Of Power (IRE) Andrew Slattery
Invincible Will (IRE) Gavin Patrick Cromwell

5.35 Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)

Causeway (IRE) A P O’Brien
Andab (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Endorsement (IRE) A P O’Brien
Italy (GB) A P O’Brien
Nil Bua Gan Dua (USA) Joseph Patrick O’Brien

6.10 Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap)

Cowardofthecounty (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Royal @Ascot week is here! pic.twitter.com/n8TcOrqKle

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 15, 2026

Day Four: Friday, 19 June 2026

2.30 Albany Stakes (Fillies’ Group 3)

Controlla (IRE) Robson Aguiar
Green Empress (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
New Bond Street (GB) P Twomey
Sun Goddess (IRE) A P O’Brien
Victorious (IRE) A P O’Brien

3.05 Commonwealth Cup (Group 1)

Albert Einstein (IRE) A P O’Brien
Brussels (GB) A P O’Brien
Charles Darwin (IRE) A P O’Brien
Power Blue (IRE) Robson Aguiar
Havana Anna (GB) Donnacha Aidan O’Brien

3.40 Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Emit (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Omni Man (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Tuscan Hills (FR) Robson Aguiar
Aeronautic (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Bosphorus Rose (GB) P Twomey
Perfect Your Craft (IRE) P Twomey
Ndaawi (GB) Gordon Elliott

4.20 Coronation Stakes (Fillies’ Group 1) (Round Course)

Balantina (IRE) Donnacha Aidan O’Brien
Black Caviar Gold (IRE) P Twomey
Precise (IRE) A P O’Brien
True Love (IRE) A P O’Brien

5.00 Sandringham Stakes (Fillies’ Handicap) (Straight)

Black Caviar Gold (IRE) P Twomey
Sky Watch (IRE) M D O’Callaghan
Mixed Feelings (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Quiet Mutiny (IRE) Gavin Patrick Cromwell
Glyfada (IRE) Donnacha Aidan O’Brien
Green Carrera (GB) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Stars Will Shine (IRE) Noel Meade
Spinning Around (IRE) Donnacha Aidan O’Brien
Anushka (IRE) Henry De Bromhead

5.35 King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2)

Asakir (IRE) J P Murtagh
Benvenuto Cellini (IRE) A P O’Brien
Causeway (IRE) A P O’Brien
Endorsement (IRE) A P O’Brien
Limestone (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Nil Bua Gan Dua (USA) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Port Of Spain (IRE) A P O’Brien

6.10 Palace Of Holyroodhouse (Handicap)

Ipanema Queen (IRE) Robson Aguiar

Precise v True Love in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot next week. Ryan Moore hopes to be on the right one this time!@nickluck | @WorldPool

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 14, 2026

Day Five: Saturday, 20 June 2026

3.40 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1)

Chicago Critic (GB) J P Murtagh
Comanche Brave (IRE) Donnacha Aidan O’Brien

5.00 Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap)

Black Forza (USA) M D O’Callaghan
City House (IRE) Adrian McGuinness
Dark Ace (IRE) Adrian McGuinness
Fort Vega (FR) Ms Sheila Lavery
Indigo Dream (GB) Ross O’Sullivan
The Highway Rat (IRE) A Oliver
Thunderbear (IRE) Jack W Davison

The post Royal Ascot 2026: Irish-Trained Runners & Entries appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained True Love leads both the Cartier Horse of the Year and Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly divisions, having accrued 72 points in Pattern races this year. The daughter of No Nay Never decisively beat Evolutionist (32 points) in the Betfred 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and was runner-up to stablemate and 2025 Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly Precise (32) in the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas.

Thundering On (56) pressed her early claims for the Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly award with a dominant display over Legacy Link (32) in the Betfred Oaks, while Diamond Necklace (32) enjoyed Classic success of her own when taking the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, and will move up the standings following her win in France on Sunday.

Christmas Day is Leading 3YO Colt

Coolmore-owned runners trained by Aidan O’Brien have won three of the five major Classics for colts so far this season, with Christmas Day (60) taking the Betfred Derby at Epsom to lead the Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt division.

Constitution River (32) led home a Coolmore 1-2-3 in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, while 2025 Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt Gstaad (56) was a dominant winner of the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas.

The most impressive Classic performance so far this season has come from Bow Echo (48), who maintained his unbeaten record for George Boughey with a scintillating victory over Gstaad in the Betfred 2000 Guineas.

Daryz is Leading Older Horse

Last season’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe victor Daryz (64) has enjoyed a superb start to 2026 and leads the Cartier Older Horse standings following comprehensive wins back at Longchamp in the Prix Ganay and Prix Aga Khan IV.

Homebred by the Aga Khan Studs and trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, the Sea The Stars colt represents the same connections that took the Cartier Horse of the Year and Cartier Older Horse awards in 2025 with Calandagan (24).

Other leading Cartier Older Horse contenders include Bay City Roller (56), who had Calandagan in behind when taking the Coolmore Coronation Cup by 10 lengths, Jebel Hatta Presented By Longines victor Opera Ballo (40) and Prix Ganay runner-up Bright Picture (40).

Sprinter and Stayer Divisions

Night Raider (24) holds the early advantage in the race to be crowned Cartier Sprinter, having won the HKJC World Pool Palace House Stakes and William Hill Temple Stakes on his two appearances so far in 2026. Owned by Wathnan Racing, the Karl Burke-trained gelding holds a narrow advantage over the well-travelled duo of Lazzat (20) and Comanche Brave (19), with Elmonjed (16) and Venetian Sun (16) having both posted G2 wins in the UK.

Victorious Forever’s Caballo de Mar (42) leads the Cartier Stayer division following his battling victory over Santorini Star (16) in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at Longchamp. Boodles Yorkshire Cup winner Rahiebb (16) features prominently along with Al Nayyir (17), Sons And Lovers (12) and Fairy Glen (12), who all enjoyed success in the Gulf States earlier in the year.

The post Early Season Leaders for Cartier Awards appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

A son of Coolmore stallion Camelot, Christmas Day (7/1) was a two-and-three-quarter length winner over the Tom Marquand-ridden Maltese Cross (12/1).

James J Braddock, the mount of Dylan Browne McMonagle, took third for trainer Joseph O’Brien, two-and-a-half lengths behind the William Haggas-handled runner-up.

The victory of Christmas Day, in the Coolmore colours, was a 12th win in the race for Aidan O’Brien, who becomes the first trainer to win the race four years in-a-row following the successes of Lambourn (2025), City Of Troy (2024) and Auguste Rodin (2023).

It is also a 50th British classic win for the County Wexford-born handler – his first coming with King Of Kings in the 1998 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

"The stars aligned."

Ronan Whelan's Christmases have come early ,… pic.twitter.com/DgfFrwDhb3

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 6, 2026

The pre-race favourite Benvenuto Cellini, the mount of Ryan Moore, was declared a non-runner after a stewards’ inquiry post-race. The son of Frankel had one leg caught on a bar in the stalls as the race began. As a result, stewards deemed that he was denied a chance of winning and declared him a non-runner.

"Things don't happen perfectly for every horse in the race."

Aidan O'Brien, now with 12 Derby wins beneath the bonnet after Christmas Day revelled in the Epsom rain, dissects a dramatic renewal of the premier Classic pic.twitter.com/aJLhUDp2fM

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 6, 2026

The post Christmas Day & Ronan Whelan Win Betfred Derby at Epsom appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

It was a second British classic training success for the successful handler, Joseph O’Brien, who previously won the Betfred St Leger with Galileo Gold.

The second English classic of the season saw nine fillies go to post – four of them trained by an O’Brien, one by Joseph, and three by his father Aidan.

Wow. Wow. Wow!

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐧 brilliantly wins the Betfred Oaks at Epsom pic.twitter.com/3ev8KpXbjH

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 5, 2026

Amelia Earhart (7/4f), the choice of Ballydoyle stable jockey Ryan Moore was the race favourite, with the Colin Keane-ridden Legacy Link (3/1) the second choice of the bookies.

Sugar Island (25/1) and Ronan Whelan set the early pace, closely followed by stable companion Cameo (7/1), the mount of last season’s Epsom Derby-winning rider Wayne Lordan.

The eventual winner, Thundering On, was towards the rear of the field for much of the one mile four furlong race.

Once into the home straight, the chestnut daughter of Frankel, out of Thundering Nights, struck for home alone the stands’ side rail.

”It was effortless.” @DylanBrowneMcM reflects upon Thundering On’s extraordinary victory in the @Betfred Oaks @EpsomRacecourse pic.twitter.com/1u4pB6lb2t

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 5, 2026

Colin Keane, wearing the Juddmonte Farms colours aboard Legacy Link, looked the biggest danger to the Salsabil Stakes winner.

Despite the strong challenge of the Dubawi filly, Legacy Link, Thundering On held on comfortably for a three-and-three-quarter length victory to give Donegal rider McMonagle a first British classic success.

The John and Thady Gosden-conditioned Legacy Link took the runner-up position ahead of the outsider of the Ballydoyle trio, Sugar Island (25/1).

Race favourite Amelia Earhart and Ryan Moore finished sixth.

The post Thundering On Gives Dylan Browne McMonagle a First British Classic Success appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The perceived second-string from Ballydoyle, the daughter of Starspangledbanner ran out a two-and-a-half length winner over her stable companion and race favourite True Love (4/5), the mount of Ryan Moore.

PRECISE

Classic redemption in the Irish 1,000 Guineas @Tattersalls1766 | @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/jEO1zwUHUt

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 24, 2026

Precise, who was seventh to True Love in the Betfred 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on 3 May, raced towards the rear of the field for much of today’s race.

Positioned in third approaching the two-furlong pole, Lordan soon asked Precise to extend and she stayed on well to hold off the challenge of True Love.

Aidan O'Brien was very pleased with Precise in landing the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas as two more members of the family give their reaction. pic.twitter.com/qqeWlndee8

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 24, 2026

Abishiri (6/1) from the Charlie Appleby yard was third for jockey William Buick.

The post Precise and Wayne Lordan win Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The mount of Ryan Moore, who was runner-up to Bow Echo in the Betfred 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, ran out a three-length winner over the Charlie Appleby-trained Distant Storm (5/1), the mount of Billy Loughnane.

The English handler also provided the third placer as Pacific Avenue (40/1) was another length behind his stable companion and was ridden by Irish jockey Jamie Spencer.

Commenting on the winner, Gstaad, Aidan O’Brien said of the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner:

“He’s very straightforward, he just needs little bit of room to get going. Sometimes if it gets too tactical or if he gets caught up in pace that wasn’t strong early (it doesn’t suit). He’s probably stronger now and The Curragh was lovely.”

Gstaad leads them home in the @Tattersalls1766 Irish 2,000 Guineas! @curraghrace | @WorldPool pic.twitter.com/lgRRPnWsm1

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 23, 2026

O’Brien and Moore teamed up for a further two winners on The Curragh card on Saturday.

The pair claimed the Group 3 Heider Family Stables Gallinule Stakes with Causeway (5/6 favourite). The son of Wootton Bassett, who holds entries in the Group 1 Betfred Derby at Epsom next month, and in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, was winning for the fourth time in his five-race career.

41-111

Causeway is a tough nut to crack!

The Wootton Bassett colt makes it three from three this term under a strong Ryan Moore in the Group 3 Heider Family Stables Gallinule Stakes @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/seJ7025kb5

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 23, 2026

Sergei Diaghilev (4/6 favourite) got the day off to the perfect start for O’Brien, Moore and the Coolmore partners as he took the opening Tally Ho Stud Irish EBF (C&G) Maiden.

The well-supported Sergei Diaghilev (Wootton Bassett) strikes on debut and this colt is likely a name to note for Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/vCS1V0yYf8

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 23, 2026

O’Brien said of the juvenile son of Wootton Bassett:

“He only stepped into main work in the last two weeks and he did a nice piece of work last Saturday. We ran him because we thought he could be a Coventry (Stakes) horse, Ryan (Moore, jockey) wasn’t sure if he was going to know enough in time.”

Moore achieved a four-timer on the first day of the Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival as he also won the Group 2 Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes with Commanche Brave.

Fifth behind the mighty Ka Ying Rising last month, Comanche Brave dominates back on home soil in the Group 2 @weatherbysltd Greenlands Stakes for Ryan Moore and Donnacha O’Brien @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/CpramQf1xI

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 23, 2026

Trained by Donnacha O’Brien, youngest son of Aidan, Commanche Brave was fifth to Ka Ying Rising on his most recent start when racing at Sha Tin.

He holds entries in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes and the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Royal Ascot next month.

The post Gstaad gives Aidan O’Brien a 13th success in Irish 2000 Guineas appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Breeders’ Cup winner Gstaad will be the headline act at flat racing’s HQ on Saturday afternoon as the runner-up to Bow Echo in the Betfred 2000 Guineas at Newmarket bids to win the first Irish classic of the 2026 season.

O’Brien bids for 13th win

The mount of Ryan Moore, the son of Starspangledbanner, will bid to give champion trainer Aidan O’Brien a 13th success in the colts’ classic, with the Ballydoyle handler also saddling Neolithic, a son of Sioux Nation, who will be the mount of Wayne Lordan.

Speaking earlier this week about Gstaad, Aidan O’Brien said after the colt’s final workout:

“He worked well earlier too and we’re happy with him. He seems to have come out of Newmarket well so we’re looking forward to Saturday.”

Three English Challengers

There is a three-pronged British-trained challenge. Godolphin’s trainer, Charlie Appleby, will be represented by Distant Storm – who was eight lengths third to Gstaad at Newmarket – and Pacific Avenue. The former will be ridden by Billy Loughnane, who will be bidding for a first Irish classic success, while Jamie Spencer will partner Pacific Avenue, as trainer Charlie Appleby bids to add to his 2022 victory in this race with Native Trail.

Alparslan, winner of the Tattersalls Sales race at The Curragh last September, comes from the Karl Burke yard, a trainer who has had much success in Ireland in recent years.

Fozzy Stack’s Thesecretadversary, more than nine lengths in arrears of Gstaad at Newmarket, Gowran Park maiden winner Go Just Do It from the Joseph O’Brien stable, along with Bamako Beach (Michael O’Callaghan), Power Blue (Robson Aguiar) and Take Charge Star (Johnny Murtagh) complete the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas field.

The post Gstaad heads Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas Field appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.