2017 Racing Year at the Curragh Starts this Weekend

2017 Racing Year at the Curragh Starts this Weekend

Racing will return to the Curragh for the first time in the 2017 season with a two day meeting this weekend featuring the Group 3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Blue Wind Stakes on Saturday and the potential Irish debut of Acapulco in Sunday’s inaugural Sole Power Sprint.

Laganore is the highest rated of the 17 strong entry for the Blue Wind Stakes on Saturday which also features Dermot Weld’s exciting Naas debut winner Tocco D’amore who won a maiden by six lengths against the colts last month. 

Weld has also left Sea Swift among the entries after her fine effort behind Somehow at Gowran Park recently in a race in which Laganore was third, Jessica Harrington’s Beautiful Morning was fourth, the Andy Slattery-trained Creggs Pipes was fifth and Jim Bolger’s Turret Rocks was sixth and they could all meet again on Saturday after Beautiful Morning was supplemented for the race by Harrington. 

Creggs Pipes was a listed winner last season and triumphed at the Curragh during a successful campaign and Slattery is looking forward to returning to HQ on Saturday. 

"I think Creggs Pipes has improved since her run at Gowran Park and she worked very well this morning so she’s ready to rock," Slattery said. "Providing everything is good on Friday morning she will run and she’s really after turning the corner since her first run. She won at the Curragh last year so won’t mind the track and she goes on any ground so we are looking forward to it."

On Sunday, 2015 Royal Ascot winner Acapulco could make her first start for Aidan O’Brien since joining Ballydoyle from trainer Wesley Ward’s American base. The Queen Mary Stakes winning filly is a fascinating inclusion in the Sole Power Sprint Stakes over five furlongs. 

O’Brien said on Tuesday; "Acapulco has settled in well and it is possible that she could start off at the Curragh on Sunday. She seems in good form and loves nice ground. She has been covered by Galileo."

Last season’s Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes winner Ardhoomey also features among the possible field of 17 runners with seven British-trained entries included at Tuesday’s declaration stage. Trainer Robert Cowell has left in Encore d’Or, Shrill and Sir Robert Cheval, while Kevin Ryan’s duo of Futoon and Rural Celebration could also make the line up. 

The first race of the Curragh season will get underway at 2.10pm on Saturday while the Newbridge Parishes Raceday on Sunday begins at 1.55pm. 

Sunday is also Newbridge Parishes Family Race Day  with a top class programme of 8 races starting at 1.55pm. A variety of free entertainment for children during the afternoon while there will be a packed programme of live music from a variety of local bands and musicians.

Children from local sports clubs have been invited to take part in exhibition games during the afternoon which will take place between races on the racetrack with all participates receiving a memento

With the O’Brien’s Champagne & Wine Bar as the only permanent facility remaining in place this season, the final touches are being put to impressive high quality marquee structures which will be place until the development project is completed by the end of 2018. 

The structures will feature the Grand Hall with Tote, Paddy Power Betting Shop, Sports Lounge and food and beverage area and an Owners & Trainers facility which will be available for connections of runners on the day to enjoy a complimentary meal, together with an imposing Hospitality Marquee over two levels with magnificent views across the racecourse to feature two restaurants with capacity for 250 people each, a Premier Members Lounge and an exclusive area for feature race sponsors.

In addition, there will be an Artisan Food Village featuring some of Kildare’s leading food producers and a Race Track Viewing Stand with a capacity for 1500 people, together with numerous screens which will be located throughout the enclosure for additional viewing.  The Weigh Room has been relocated to what was previously the main entrance building, while the pre parade and parade ring will remain in place for the 2017 season.

The ground at the Curragh is currently firm, good to firm in places (Round and Straight). Mainly dry forecast. Watering continues.

Admission:
Adult 15 euro
Seniors & Under 25s 10 euro
Complimentary admission for Under 16s accompanied by an adult
Family Admission 25 euro

Complimentary Car Parking

Transport: Trains to Kildare Town with free shuttle bus to racecourse.
Dublin Coach provide a race day service –see dublincoach.ie

Book tickets and hospitality @ curragh.ie

A Season Ticket and Premier Membership is also available and guarantees admission to all 18 race days in 2017

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