This weekend may not boast the depth of some of the major festivals, but there is still plenty of quality racing to enjoy, with Ireland taking centre stage courtesy of the Irish Oaks at the Curragh.
Friday's action features Listed contests at Newbury and Hamilton, before the programme gathers pace on Saturday with meetings from Market Rasen, Newbury, Newmarket, Doncaster, Cartmel, Ripon and Nottingham.
The highlight, however, comes from the Curragh, where the Irish Oaks sees the season's leading fillies clash over a mile and a half. Thundering On heads the betting at around 5/2, with Earth Shot and Amelia Earhart close behind in what promises to be a fascinating renewal.
Across the Atlantic, the spotlight falls on two Grade 1 contests. The Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park brings together several of this year's leading three-year-olds, including runners from the Kentucky Derby, while Saratoga stages the Diana Stakes, one of America's premier races for fillies and mares.
Sunday has a quieter feel, although the Curragh Cup provides another quality staying contest in Ireland. Elsewhere, racing takes place at Stratford, Redcar and Newton Abbot, while an eight-race card at the Curragh rounds off the weekend.
The early part of next week is relatively low key. Monday's programme includes meetings at Ayr, Windsor, Beverley and Cartmel, while Tuesday features racing from Nottingham, Salisbury and Wolverhampton's all-weather track. Wednesday's standout fixture comes from Naas, where two Listed races headline the afternoon card.
Looking a little further ahead, attention is already beginning to turn towards Ascot and the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes on 25 July. Following his impressive Irish Derby victory, Benvenuto Cellini has been heavily backed into the market, although Calandagan currently remains the horse to beat in one of the most prestigious races of the season.
Big races this week
FRIDAY
4:10pm Newbury (Sky Sports Racing)
Rose Bowl Stakes (Listed Race)
6f, Flat Turf
7:50pm Hamilton (Racing TV)
Glasgow Stakes (Listed Race)
1m3f, Flat Turf
SATURDAY
1:55pm Newbury (ITV4)
Steventon Stakes (Listed Race)
1m2f, Flat Turf
3:05pm Newmarket (July) (Racing TV)
Aphrodite Fillies' Stakes (Listed Race)
1m4f, Flat Turf
4:35pm Curragh (RTÉ2)
Irish Oaks (Group 1)
1m4f, Flat Turf
7:46pm Saratoga (Sky Sports Racing)
Diana Stakes (Grade 1)
1m1f, Turf
10:45pm Monmouth Park (Sky Sports Racing)
Haskell Stakes (Grade 1)
1m1f, Dirt
SUNDAY
4:25pm Curragh (Racing TV)
Curragh Cup (Group 2)
1m6f, Flat Turf
*All races above are listed in UK time.
Race Notes
4:35pm (Saturday 18th July) Irish Oaks - Curragh
The Juddmonte Irish Oaks is the highlight of the weekend and looks set to be another fascinating renewal, with an intriguing rematch between the leading fillies from Epsom and Royal Ascot.
Thundering On heads to the Curragh looking to complete the Oaks double after her impressive success at Epsom. She was unable to follow up when finishing behind older rivals in the Pretty Polly Stakes, but connections later revealed she had been coughing after the race. If back to full health, the Frankel filly has every chance of returning to winning ways.
The biggest threat could come from Earth Shot, who arrives full of confidence after landing the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot. William Haggas' filly has improved with every start this season and, having already proven herself over a mile and a half, looks a major player in her bid for a first Classic victory.
Aidan O'Brien, who has enjoyed tremendous success in the Irish Oaks over the years, saddles a strong team headed by Amelia Earhart. She was disappointing when favourite for the Epsom Oaks after winning the Cheshire Oaks in impressive fashion, but quicker ground and the addition of headgear could help her bounce back. With the race expected to be run at a strong pace, her proven stamina may allow her to reverse the Epsom form.
Joseph O'Brien also has a powerful hand, with Johanna Walsh among the leading contenders after finishing a close second to Earth Shot in the Ribblesdale. She has improved with every run this season and looks capable of taking another step forward.
There are several interesting outsiders. Inis Mor has already beaten Earth Shot this season before finishing third in the French Oaks, while unbeaten Rebel Moon has been supplemented for the race after winning at Naas and remains open to significant improvement.
Recent trends suggest class is usually rewarded in the Irish Oaks, with the race often falling to fillies that have already shown high-class Classic form. That points firmly towards Thundering On, Earth Shot and Amelia Earhart
Selection: Earth Shot
Main danger: Thundering On
Each-way contender: Rebel Moon
Antepost Watch
The betting for next week's King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot continues to gather pace, with Benvenuto Cellini the biggest mover at the head of the market.
Following his commanding victory in the Irish Derby, Aidan O'Brien's colt has been backed from 5/1 into 11/4, leaving him breathing down the neck of the market leaders as punters warm to his chances of adding another Group 1 prize.
Another horse attracting support is Ancient Egypt, who has been cut from 50/1 to 25/1 after an excellent runner-up effort in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot. While he still has plenty to find on the figures, that performance suggested he is capable of holding his own at the highest level.
With over a week still to go until Ascot's midsummer showpiece, expect plenty more movement in what is shaping up to be one of the races of the season.
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Racing News
Here are a few racing updates that caught the eye this week.
Racing Legends - Bonny Scotland
He was a horse England didn’t want. Bonnie Scotland raced four times, broke down, spent a single stud season in Yorkshire with almost no takers, and was shipped across the Atlantic for roughly the price of a decent used carriage. What followed was one of the most improbable legacies in the history of thoroughbred racing.
By the time the dust settled, his bloodline ran through 11 of the 13 horses that ever swept the Triple Crown, a record no other founding stallion comes close to matching.
Thanks for reading! Let’s catch up again next week.
Regards
The Newsletter Team
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