British raiders look to extend their dominance in the Group 1 Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes this Saturday, as Kalpana lines up for Andrew Balding in a field of seven high-class fillies. The British-trained runner will be ridden by Colin Keane following a fine third in the Tattersalls Gold Cup last month at the same venue.

Trainer Andrew Balding was upbeat, saying: “She is a very high-class filly. While we think she might be even better over further, a mile and a quarter should suit her well – especially if the ground stays good.”

International Challenge

The French-trained Survie, a Group 2 winner, joins Kalpana as part of the international challenge. She will be ridden by Stéphane Pasquier for Nicolas Clément and Flo Hermans.

Irish Contenders

• Whirl – Aidan O’Brien’s narrow Oaks runner-up represents strong claims.
• Wemighttakedlongway – Joseph O’Brien’s filly bids to follow in the footsteps of Iridessa (2019) and Thundering Nights (2021).
• Magical Hope – Trained by 2022 winner Paddy Twomey.
• Jancis – Willie McCreery’s charge will be partnered by Ben Coen.
• Higher Leaves – Represents Henry de Bromhead and Shane Foley.

More Group Action on the Card

Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes: Six juveniles line up, including Ger Lyons’ Lady Iman (chasing a four-timer) and Aidan O’Brien’s Beautify, with Ryan Moore booked.

Group 3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai International Stakes: Elizabeth Jane runs for Dermot Weld with Chris Hayes aboard.

Group 3 Anglesey Stakes: Flushing Meadows heads a quality field that includes Stop The Nation and debut winner Suzie Songs.

Ladies Derby & Handicaps

• Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes Ladies Derby: Jody Townend (Tatateo) and Hannah Smullen (Desert Friend) feature.
• Fitzpatrick’s Mercedes-Benz Handicap: Recent winner Cold Hearted aims to follow up for Jessica Harrington.

Full Race Schedule – Saturday

• 1.15pm – Barronstown Stud Irish EBF Maiden
• …
• 5.15pm – Keadeen Hotel Irish EBF Maiden

Pretty Polly Stakes – Odds (Paddy Power)

• 6/4 – Whirl
• 9/4 – Kalpana
• 6 – Wemighttakedlongway
• 7 – Higher Leaves
• 12 – Jancis
• 14 – Survie
• 20 – Magical Hope

Going Update

Straight course: Good to firm in places
Round course: Good
Stalls: Centre for all sprint races

Admission & Bundles

• Saturday General Admission: €30 online / €35 on the day
• Sunday Premium Admission: €150 (Winning Line Lounge access)
• Derby Bundles: From €33 – includes admission, €5 bet, food voucher, racecard, afterparty access

Transport & Parking

Free shuttle buses from Newbridge & Kildare
Free parking at the Curragh Racecourse

Where to Watch

• Racing TV – Full coverage
• TG4 & RTÉ – Selected races live on Saturday and Sunday

Entertainment

• Friday – The Classic Beatles (afterparty)
• Sunday – The Whistlin’ Donkey’s (afterparty)

For tickets, discounts and more: curragh.ie/tickets

The post Kalpana Returns to Curragh for Pretty Polly Stakes – Saturday Feature Preview appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The next three year deal will deliver a record number of free-to-air live racing days in Ireland.

Increased TV coverage

RTÉ will broadcast 31 days of live racing in 2021, rising to 32 live days in 2022 and in 2023.

RTÉ will continue to provide live coverage the Festivals at Fairyhouse, Punchestown, The Curragh, Galway and Leopardstown. New to RTÉ’s schedule will be the Ascot Trials Day from Naas in May. The State broadcaster will also show a series of top-quality winter Sunday meetings over the jumps.

Group Head of Sport at RTÉ, Declan McBennett, said:

“Horse racing is an integral part of the RTÉ Sport offering, and we are delighted to extend our partnership with Horse Racing Ireland and the racecourses. The trainers and jockeys in particular have proven repeatedly that they are at the very forefront of their profession internationally. We hope to see the very best of Irish equine talent over the next three years.”

RTÉ’s next live racing action will be this weekend with coverage from Fairyhouse.

RTÉ remaining racing coverage for 2021

April
4 Fairyhouse Easter Festival
5 Fairyhouse Easter Festival
27 Punchestown Festival
28 Punchestown Festival
29 Punchestown Festival
30 Punchestown Festival

May
1 Punchestown Festival
16 Naas Royal Ascot Trials Day
22 Curragh Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas
23 Curragh Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas

June
26 Curragh Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby
27 Curragh Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly Stakes

July
17 Curragh Juddmonte Irish Oaks
26 Galway Festival
27 Galway Festival
28 Galway Festival
29 Galway Festival

September
11 Leopardstown Longines Irish Champions Weekend
12 Curragh Longines Irish Champions Weeekend

October 30 Down Royal

November
14 Punchestown
28 Fairyhouse Winter Festival

December
5 Punchestown/Cork
26 Leopardstown/Limerick Christmas Festivals
27 Leopardstown/Limerick Christmas Festivals
28 Leopardstown/Limerick Christmas Festivals
29 Leopardstown/Limerick Christmas Festivals

*Navan fixture in November TBC

The post RTÉ Sport and Horse Racing Ireland agree new three-year deal appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The national broadcaster will also show live TV coverage on eight of the first 20 days following the resumption of Irish racing on 8^th June. Hugh Cahill will present the live coverage with analysis from Jane Mangan, Ted Walsh and Ruby Walsh.

RTÉ coverage returns for the first Classics of the Flat racing season at The Curragh, the Irish 2000 Guineas on June 12 and the Irish 1000 Guineas on June 13.

RTÉ Sport will broadcast new hour-long evening programmes on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on consecutive Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with ten extra meetings confirmed up to mid-July.

The new programmes will run from 7-8pm on Friday evenings and 5-6pm on Saturdays and Sundays, and will have two live races with previews and analysis, interviews from the track, as well as replays from action earlier that evening.

Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said of today’s announcement: 

“RTÉ has always been very supportive of racing in Ireland and today’s announcement confirms that commitment. The new one-hour evening programmes are an opportunity for Irish racing to attract people to our sport and educate those new fans on what makes racing so exciting.”

RTÉ Racing coverage in June on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player

Friday 12^th June, Curragh
Saturday 13^th June, Curragh
Friday 19^th June, Gowran Park
Saturday 20^th June, Naas
Sunday 21^st June, Leopardstown
June 26^th – Curragh
June 27^th – Curragh (The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby)
June 28^th – Curragh

The post RTÉ to show racing on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during June and July appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.