Aidan O’Brien has the chance to equal Sir Michael Stoute’s record of six winners in the Irish Oaks as the master of Ballydoyle sends out four fillies in the Group 1 prize at the Curragh today.
O’Brien’s string is headed by Evie Stockwell’s homebred Ennistymon, who was last seen finishing second to Love in the Investec Oaks at Epsom last month, while Laburnum and Passion also take their chance in the 1m4f contest.
He also runs Snow, the sister to the recently retired Kew Gardens, and the daughter of Galileo caught the eye when running out a ready winner of the Group 3 Munster Oaks at Cork.
Ger Lyons is double handed in the contest with Even So, who landed the Listed Oaks Trial at Naas on her last start, and Yaxeni, a daughter of Maxios who will have to reverse the form with Snow from the Munster Oaks if she is to figure today.
Also on the Curragh’s card is the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes (7f) and this year’s edition has attracted a field of seven including Lancaster House, who returned with an impressive victory in the Group 3 Gladness Stakes over course and distance last month.
The Group 2 Railway Stakes for two-year-olds will also have a field of seven and this looks an ideal contest for Merchants Quay to continue his progression.
The son of No Nay Never, who finished second to Admiral Nelson on debut, showed a good attitude to land a 6f maiden at the Curragh last month and the step up to 7f looks well within his reach.
Rest of today’s action
Away from the Curragh, Flat meetings are held at Bath, Haydock, Newbury and York today. York’s card will feature the Group 3 Silver Cup Stakes (1m6f) and the Listed City Walls Stakes (5f) while the feature at Newbury is the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes (6f). There is also a jumps fixture from Tramore.
