Ridden by Ben Coen, the three-year-old son of Wootton Bassett, led home a 1-2 for Murtagh and owners, the Aga Khan Studs.

Stable companion Tangapour (300/1) took the runner-up spot under jockey Séamie Heffernan, who lengths behind the winner.

Galen (8/1), who like the second placed finisher, was prominent throughout the one mile two furlongs Group 3 contest, came third for Dylan Browne McMonagle.

Los Angeles, the 4/7 favourite, disappointed for the second race in a row, as he only managed fourth place in the six-runner contest for Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien.

A CRACKING result for @JohnnyMurtagh

Zahrann overcomes some trouble in-running to lead home a stable one-two in the feature Royal Whip Stakes under @BenCoen2.

What do we make of that run from Los Angeles? @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/JquyCFgjBF

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 16, 2025

The winning handler, Johnny Murtagh, who has always held Zahrann in high regard, nominated the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown next month as the son of Night Of Thunder’s next target.

Group 3 Irish St Leger Trial

The second Group 3 race on the eight-race card was the Comer Group International Irish St Leger Trial over a mile and six furlongs.

The field was reduced to only four runners when Uxmal was withdrawn early on the afternoon due to the ground.

Leinster (6/1) won the race for Joseph O’Brien – completing a double for the handler – while it was the final part of a four-timer for jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle.

What a day for @DylanBrowneMcM

Leinster scoots clear to land the Comer Group International Irish St. Leger Trial Stakes, completing a brilliant four-timer for the rider.@JosephOBrien2 | @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/0Ua9TnJ2uc

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 16, 2025

Dylan Browne McMonagle four-timer

Donegal jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle completed a four-timer with Mushaffar (5/1), Ipanema Queen (6/5 favourite), Queen Of Mougins (17/2) and Leinster (6/1)

Mushaffar took the opening maiden for trainer Joseph O’Brien. Race favourite Ipanema Queen won the Listed Mitsubishi Electric Curragh Irish EBF Curragh Stakes over the minimum distance for handler Adrian Murray.

"She's very fast."

The bang in-form @DylanBrowneMcM gives us his verdict on Curragh Listed winner Ipanema Queen pic.twitter.com/t3UnyeCt2Q

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 16, 2025

Browne McMonagle and Murray successfully teamed up again in the fifth race, the Kwiff: Supercharge Your Horse Racing Betting Handicap, when Queen Of Mougins, was successful.

It was the third part of Browne McMonagle’s four-timer on the day, and a double for Murray, who also completed a double last Saturday at the same venue.

The post Zahrann wins Royal Whip Stakes but Browne McMonagle dominates appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Ridden by Jack Kennedy, the Denis Reddin-owned six-year-old gelding ran out a two and a half length winner over Fascile Mode (33/1), who was prominent throughout under Jake Coen.

Chart Topper (8/1) and Brian Hayes were third, a half-length behind the runner-up.

The @gelliott_racing-trained Winning Smut lands the @BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle pic.twitter.com/TXNW94Wgl5

— Galway Races (@Galway_Races) August 2, 2025

Ebony is King in Maiden Hurdle

The Andrew Slattery-trained Ebony King took the opening BoyleSports Best Odds Guaranteed Maiden Hurdle.

Ridden by Cian Quirke, the four-year-old was a Tipperary bumper winner on debut early last month.

The 9/1 chance came home with two and a half length to spare over Tatateo (9/1) and Daniel King. Pistocchi was third (18/1), a further 17 lengths back.

The Lads Come On Late in Galway Tribes

Come On The Lads (22/1) came late on the stands’ side to deny Toll Stone (7/2 favourite) and Donagh Meyler by a head in the €80,000 BoyleSports Galway Tribes Handicap Hurdle over two miles and 175 yards.

Placed three times over hurdles this season, the winner was ridden by seven-pound claimer Eoin Staples for The Lads Partnership.

Messersschmitt (7/1) finished in third place, a further half-length behind, under Jack Kennedy.

Come On The Lads wins a thrilling renewal of the @BoyleSports Galway Tribes Handicap Hurdle pic.twitter.com/eSIwvbxBUa

— Galway Races (@Galway_Races) August 2, 2025

Some Pretender was a popular winner in the Salthill Hotel Irish EBF Mares Flat Race for Patrick and Willie Mullins.

Carrying the colours of Syndicates Racing, the bay filly was welcomed back to the winners’ enclosure by many syndicate members. The five-year-old gave the successful handler a fifth victory in the last six renewals of the race.

Action is odd-on maiden winner

Action (4/9 favourite), third to stable companions New Zealand and Isaac Newton [a winner today at Goodwood] on debut at The Curragh recently, broke his maiden in the Whiriskey Refrigeration Irish EBF Maiden over one mile and 73 yards.

In the hands of Betfred Derby-winning rider Wayne Lordan, the juvenile son of Frankel had a length and quarter over Perisher (13/2) and Dylan Browne McMonagle at the winning post.

The other Aidan O’Brien-handled horse, Christmas Day, was third at 11/2 for five-pound claimer Jack Cleary.

Another boost for the New Zealand form

Action, third on debut, goes in @Galway_Races, completing a quickfire across-the-card double for Aidan O’Brien.

New Zealand’s Curragh win looking like strong form now… pic.twitter.com/kWUqLf5T8R

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 2, 2025

Blue Moon Boy (22/1) got the better of a close finish, by a nose, as the Luke McAteer-steered three-year-old beat Smithfield (3/1 joint-favourite) in the Bathshack Maiden over a mile and 73 yards.

The winner, trained by Andrew Kinirons in Kildare, was fifth last time at Killarney, having brought up the tail-end of the field prior to that on debut at Fairyhouse.

The post Another Galway Races feature for Gordon Elliott appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

It was a second success in the Grade 3 handicap chase for Gilligan, who previously won the race two years ago with Ash Tree Meadow.

The successful trainer Gordon Elliott was also winning the race for the second time in three years, and it is his fourth success in the Galway Races feature race since his initial victory with Lord Scoundrel in 2016.

Western Fold, winner of the Mayo National at Ballinrobe in May, battled with Jessie Evans (9/1) up the Galway hill before eventually claiming a four and a half length success over the Noel Meade inmate.

WESTERN FOLD wins the Galway Plate! @gelliott_racing Danny Gilligan@ToteRacing | @Galway_Races pic.twitter.com/n2rfDKNo22

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2025

Shecouldbeanything (33/1) took third for Gordon Elliott, the eight-year-old mare ridden by Jordan Gainford. The daughter of Malinas was a further five and half lengths behind the runner-up.

Amirite (33/1), prominent throughout the two miles six furlongs 111 yards contest, stayed on bravely for fourth place under Darragh O’Keeffe.

Lovely scenes after the @ToteRacing Galway Plate

WESTERN FOLD @Galway_Races pic.twitter.com/euwPRiFMQt

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2025

The opening Tote €50,000 Guaranteed Placepot Tote Maiden Hurdle went to Paul Townend aboard the Willie Mullins-trainer favourite Hipop De Loire (4/9 favourite). Fourth in a listed race on the flat at Roscommon on his most recent racetrack appearance, the French-bred was narrowly denied over hurdles at Galway last season.

Hipop De Loire claims the @ToteRacing opener on Galway Plate Day! @Galway_Races @WillieMullinsNH | @PTownend pic.twitter.com/w7b3tinlL8

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2025

Bal Kauto (7/1), the reserve who got a place in the Tote Money-back Every Race Today Handicap Hurdle, was an impressive five-length winner for trainer and jockey Declan Queally.

Tough

Bal Kauto stays on best of all to win the @ToteRacing Handicap Hurdle for Declan Queally @Galway_Races pic.twitter.com/IWkVZAapna

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2025

Cleopatra’s Needle, a 22/1 shot, took the Tote €5,000 Guaranteed Jackpot Irish EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle over two miles and 110 yards. Trained by Harry Rogers in Co Louth, the seven-year-old chestnut filly won in the hands of five-pound claimer Patrick O’Brien.

Cleopatra's Needle

The seven-year-old mare wins nicely at 22/1 under Paddy O'Brien for Harry Rogers in the @ToteRacing handicap @Galway_Races pic.twitter.com/UuigyU5LX2

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2025

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Winner of the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy Stakes at Newmarket last month, Scandinavia needed every yard of two miles under Cork jockey Wayne Lordan, as he overtook the front-runner Illinois (7/4 favourite) close home after a sustained battle.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained duo were two and a half lengths clear of Sweet William (4/1). Sadly, the race was overshadowed by a fatal injury to 2021 winner Trueshan, who was pulled up sharply by Hollie Doyle mid-contest.

Scandinavia, a son of Justify, is the first three-year-old to take the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup since Stradivarius in 2017.

“He stays forever”

The successful handler, Aidan O’Brien, said of the winner:

“I am delighted. Wayne gave Scandinavia a brilliant ride. He ran a lovely race at Ascot when Wayne rode him, as he got trapped six wide all the way but he kept coming and coming, and then Ryan rode him at Newmarket and said he was a very good horse. He said he stays forever and is very classy.”

Discussing possible future race plans, the Ballydoyle trainer stated:

“The lads will make those decisions [about the St Leger and so on], but obviously Lambourn didn’t go to the King George because Jan Brueghel was going there, so he has his eye on the Voltigeur, and then he could go anywhere after that – to an Arc or a St Leger. All of those things are open, but I’d say this horse looks ready made for the St Leger as he stays forever, handled an ease in the ground here today, and is very straightforward.”

Another big win for Lordan

This year’s Betfred Derby-winning rider Wayne Lordan said of his most recent major victory:

“Credit to Scandinavia, he has improved all year. He was stepping up to two miles today against the older horses; it was a tough task, but I thought he stepped forward quite well.

“Illinois is a very genuine horse, a Group One horse, and this horse was stepping into his company today. He had never run in that company before, so today was going to find out how smart he is. Obviously, he is a very smart stayer.

The post Ballydoyle 1-2 in Group 1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

This year’s Summer Festival will see the running of 53 races, over 7 days with an increased total prize fund of €2,171,000. There is a minimum value of €17,000 for all races and the  feature race each day will be worth at least €110,000. This year’s Galway Plate and Galway Hurdle will both be valued at €270,000.

Changes for 2025 Festival

Galway Races recently announced a number of changes to the 2025 Summer Festival race schedule. The headline change sees the Galway Tribes Handicap Hurdle, over 2 miles, traditionally ran on Friday, move to Saturday, 2nd August. This change is aimed at
enhancing opportunities for participation, as declarations for this race will now take place on Thursday morning, after the final field for Thursday’s Galway Hurdle has been confirmed.

“Bringing everyone together is what it’s all about.”@Galway_Races CEO Michael Moloney sets the scene on the eve of the Festival @nickluck | #LuckOnSunday | @WorldPool pic.twitter.com/L1BLo1WUVZ

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 27, 2025

As a result of this change, the Beginners Steeplechase, for five-year-olds and up, over 2 miles and 6 furlongs, will move from Thursday to Friday, 1st August and the Nursery Handicap, over 7 furlongs previously run on Saturday, will now take place on Thursday, 31st July.

Connacht Hotel renews sponsorship

The Connacht Hotel signed a new three year agreement to continue its sponsorship of the Connacht Hotel (QR) Handicap, the feature race on the opening day of Race Week.
This year marks 16 consecutive years of support from The Connacht Hotel, making them one of the event’s long standing partners.

Chanelle Pharma is the Official Sponsors of the Best Turned Out Series. This enhanced partnership marks Chanelle Pharma’s 40th year of support for the Galway Races, building on its longstanding sponsorship of the Leading Trainer Award.

First race at 5.10pm this evening

Racing gets underway this evening at 5.10pm with the Galway Bay Hotel & Galmont Hotel Novice Hurdle for four-year-olds.

The night’s feature, the €110,000 Connacht Hotel (QR) Handicap is off at 6.40pm, while the final event of the 7-race card, the Monami Construction Flat Race goes to post at 8.20pm.

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On a windy Saturday afternoon in Cork or a chilly evening in Dublin, you can walk into any pub and hear it in the way people talk. It’s not just about who won, but who covered the spread, who scored first, who cost them a tenner in injury time. Betting has been stitched into the fabric of Irish sport for as long as anyone can remember. And while a lot has changed, the sports that people put their money on have stayed surprisingly consistent.

Horse racing sits at the top of the table. Always has. Likely always will. If you want to understand Irish betting culture, you start at the track. The country has produced some of the best trainers, jockeys, and horses in the world, and that isn’t just luck. It’s a national obsession. Punchestown, Leopardstown, the Galway Races, these aren’t just events. They’re landmarks on the Irish calendar. For many punters, a day at the races isn’t complete without a bet, even if it’s just a small one placed more out of habit than strategy. And when Cheltenham rolls around across the water, you’ll feel it here too. Streets are quiet. Pubs are full. Sports Bet is flying.

Gaelic games are next, and they’re uniquely Irish. Hurling and Gaelic football are the real deal here. They’re part of the country’s identity. That pride spills over into the betting slips. A county final can see just as much betting chatter in a pub as an All-Ireland semi-final. Because for a lot of people, it’s not about big money. It’s about backing your parish, your friends, your neighbors. You can feel the stakes even when the odds don’t seem to matter.

Then there’s football which keeps growing in popularity every year. The English Premier League is popular in Ireland, and it shows up on the betting sheets week after week. With teams lik Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, every weekend those names echo through living rooms and bookies alike. People here know the form tables, the injury lists, the odds of a clean sheet better than they know the weather forecast. Champions League nights and World Cup summers only turn the volume up higher.

Rugby also has its place. Not as frenzied as racing or football, but deeply respected. The Six Nations tournament, in particular, sparks a wave of bets every spring. Ireland’s rise in world rugby has given people a reason to bet with both head and heart. When Ireland plays England, you can feel the energy shift, the money move, the pride sharpen.

What’s interesting is how the habits have evolved without really changing the hierarchy. You can still walk into a shop and fill out a paper slip if you like, but more and more bets are made on phones now. Apps have made it easier to bet in-play, to place small wagers at halftime, to jump on odds as they change. But the sports themselves? They’ve stayed the same. People still back horses in the rain. Still cheer on their counties with a fiver riding on the final whistle. Still argue about who’s due a win and who’s letting them down.

The most bet-on sports in Ireland aren’t just about gambling. They’re about connection. To a place. To a team. To a tradition. They’re about the rhythm of a year marked by races and finals and derbies. And if you stand in the right pub on the right day, you’ll see it happen when someone checking their phone, shouting at the screen, slipping another coin across the counter. Not just watching the game. Living it. With a little something on the line.

The post Most bet-on sports in Ireland appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Winner of the Betfred Derby at Epsom last month under Wayne Lordan, the son of Australia  took Ireland’s premier classic in the hand of Ryan Moore on Sunday.

Trained at Ballydoyle by Aidan O’Brien, it was a 17th success in the race for the County Wexford-born trainer, it was his 15th win in the last 23 years.

His stable companion, Serious Contender (28/1), ridden by Gavin Ryan, gave him most to do, coming home just three-quarters of a length behind.

The English challenger, Lazy Griff (14/1) was third for jockey William Buick and trainer Charlie Johnston, two and a quarter lengths behind the runner-up.

The post Lambourn Completes Derby Double appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Second to her stable companion Minnie Hauk in the Betfred Oaks at Epsom, the Aidan O’Brien-trained filly out-battled the English raider and race favourite Kalpana (5/6) this afternoon.

Urged into the lead from the stalls by Ryan Moore, the daughter of Wootton Bassett, took the field along in the one mile two furlong contest.

When Colin Keane aboard Kalpana came to Whirl in the final furlong, it looked as though it was only a matter of time before the Andrew Balding daughter of Study of Man would claim her race.

"The ultimate racing machine, really."

Aidan O'Brien hails Pretty Polly winner Whirl and a fantastic spectacle in the Group 1 @paddypower-backed highlight at @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/i4VuqfyRbd

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 28, 2025

Whirl battled, however, when asked by Moore and was not for passing, completing a treble on the day for Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore and the Coolmore partners, but incredibly a three-timer also for Coolmore Stud stallion Wootton Basseett.

There was a length and quarter between Whirl and Kalpana at the winning line with a further length and three-quarters back to the French-trained Survie (18/1) in third in the seven-runner Group 1.

Group 1 glory!

Whirl strikes from Kalpana in a thrilling €300,000 @paddypower Pretty Polly Stakes for Ryan Moore, Aidan O'Brien and Ballydoyle @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/76Eys2rB3i

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 28, 2025

The post Whirl shows her bravery in Group 1 Paddy Power Pretty Polly win appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

It was also a first success in the race for Co Cork-born jockey Wayne Lordan and an eighth in the past 12 years for successful owners, the Coolmore partners.

Lordan and Lambourn, a son of Australia led from the stalls and, in the style of Serpentine in 2020, was not for catching.

He extended his advantage over the field as they came down the home straight.

The 50/1 chance in the betting market, Lazy Griff, was runner-up for trainer Charlie Johnston and jockey Christophe Soumillon three and three-quarter lengths behind the winner.

Dylan Browne McMonagle aboard Tennessee Stud, also owned by the same partners as the winner, finished third for Joseph O’Brien, a further length back.

“Everybody puts in so much”

Aidan O’Brien, for whom it was an 11th success in the Betfred Derby, said:

“I’m only a small part of a very big team. For everybody – everybody puts in so much, I cannot tell you. I can’t tell you the privilege it is for me to be dealing with everybody. Australia [Lambourn’s sire] is a great Derby winner, very genuine, and that’s what this horse is – uncomplicated, genuine and committed. He always has been.

“His runs this year have been very good this year – he was second to Delacroix, and then was very impressive in Chester. Chester again – you have to be on your game and you have to stay, and that’s the way he was. Ryan loved him in Chester and he obviously can’t ride them all. He’s probably an Irish Derby horse, and he will get further as well.”

“It’s a special place to win”

Wayne Lordan was asked by ITV Racing what it was like to win the Derby, with the Cork jockey admitting:

“When you’re growing up… I’ve been watching you (Johnny Murtagh), Pat Smullen, Mick Kinane, and it’s the race you always want to… Then when you get a ride in it, you’re absolutely delighted. I work for Aidan O’Brien, Ballydoyle, Coolmore, and when they give you the opportunity to ride a horse like this, in a race like this, and for him to do it… it’s a special race to win.”

The post Lambourn and Wayne Lordan win Betfred Derby at Epsom appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Ridden by Ryan Moore, the daughter of Frankel held off her stable companion, Whirl (15/2) and Wayne Lordan by a neck at the finishing line of the one mile four furlongs contest.

Whirl, a daughter of Wootton Bassett, had made most of the early running, setting the pace for the perceived stable number one choice, Minnie Hauk.

With both fillies battling inside the final furlong, Minnie Hauk found a little more to claim the Group 1 prize.

Whirl finished a further four lengths ahead of the impressive Betfred 1000 Guineas winner at Newmarket last month, Desert Flower, the 11/10 favourite today.

The win is the sixth success for the Coolmore partners since Minding won in 2016.

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