The Irish Derby ( Irish: Dearbaí na hÉireann) is a

Group 1 Group 1 may refer to: * Alkali metal, a chemical element classification for Alkali metal * Group 1 (motorsport), a regulation set of the FIA for series-production touring cars used in motorsport. * Group One Thoroughbred horse races, the leading e ...

flat

horse race Horse racing is an equestrian performance activity, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its bas ...

in Ireland open to three-year-old

thoroughbred The Thoroughbred is a list of horse breeds, horse breed developed for Thoroughbred racing, horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thorough ...

colts Colt(s) or COLT may refer to: *Colt (horse), an intact (uncastrated) male horse under four years of age People * Colt (given name) *Colt (surname) Places *Colt, Arkansas, United States * Colt, Louisiana, an unincorporated community, United State ...

and

fillies A filly is a female horse that is too young to be called a mare. There are two specific definitions in use: *In most cases, a ''filly'' is a female horse under four years old. *In some nations, such as the United Kingdom and the United States, th ...

. It is run at the

Curragh The Curragh ( ; ) is a flat open plain in County Kildare, Ireland. This area is well known for horse breeding and training. The Irish National Stud is on the edge of Kildare town, beside the Japanese Gardens. Pollardstown Fen, the larges ...

over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs (2,414 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late June or early July. It is Ireland's equivalent of the

Derby Stakes The Derby Stakes, more commonly known as the Derby and sometimes referred to as the Epsom Derby, is a Group races, Group 1 flat Horse racing, horse race in England open to three-year-old Colt (horse), colts and Filly, fillies. It is run at Ep ...

, and it is usually held four weeks after the English race.

History

The earliest version of the Irish Derby was an event called the O'Darby Stakes. This was established in 1817, but it was discontinued after 1824. A subsequent race titled the Curragh Derby was inaugurated in 1848, but this was again short-lived. The modern Irish Derby was created by the 3rd Earl of Howth, the 3rd Marquess of Drogheda and the 3rd Earl of Charlemont. It was first run in 1866, and it was initially contested over 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 3 yards. It was extended by 9 yards in 1869, and cut to its present distance in 1872. The first Epsom Derby winner to achieve victory in the Irish version was

Orby __NOTOC__ Orby is a village and civil parish in the East Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England.OS Explorer map: Skegness, Alford & Spilsby: (1:25 000): It is situated approximately east from the town of Spilsby, and west from the seaside ...

, trained in Ireland by Fred McCabe, in 1907. The Irish Derby became a major international race in 1962, when its prize money was substantially increased. Joe McGrath, a founder of the

Irish Hospitals' Sweepstake The Irish Hospitals' Sweepstake was a lottery established in the Irish Free State in 1930 as the Irish Free State Hospitals' Sweepstake to finance hospitals. It is generally referred to as the Irish Sweepstake or Irish Sweepstakes, sometimes ab ...

, combined the race with the sweepstake, and it became known as the Irish Sweeps Derby. The event began to regularly attract the winners of the Epsom Derby, and

Santa Claus Santa Claus (also known as Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle or Santa) is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts during the late evening and overnight hours on Chris ...

became the second horse to win both races in 1964. The Irish Derby was sponsored by

Budweiser Budweiser () is an American-style pale lager, a brand of Belgian company AB InBev. Introduced in 1876 by Carl Conrad & Co. of St. Louis, Missouri, Budweiser has become a large selling beer company in the United States. Budweiser is a filte ...

from 1986 to 2007, and it has been backed by Dubai Duty Free since 2008. It is currently staged on the second day of the Curragh's three-day Irish Derby Festival meeting. A total of nineteen horses have now completed the English-Irish Derby double, and the most recent was

Auguste Rodin François Auguste René Rodin (; ; 12 November 184017 November 1917) was a French sculptor generally considered the founder of modern sculpture. He was schooled traditionally and took a craftsman-like approach to his work. Rodin possessed a u ...

in 2023.

Records

Leading

jockey A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase (horse racing), steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used ...

(6 wins): * Morny Wing – ''Ballyheron (1921), Waygood (1923), Rock Star (1930), Rosewell (1938), Windsor Slipper (1942), Bright News (1946)'' Leading trainer (16 wins): *

Aidan O'Brien Aidan Patrick O'Brien (born 16 October 1969 in County Wexford, Ireland) Aidan O'Brien bio NTRA. ...

– ''Desert King (1997), Galileo (2001), High Chaparral (2002), Dylan Thomas (2006), Soldier of Fortune (2007), Frozen Fire (2008), Fame and Glory (2009), Cape Blanco (2010), Treasure Beach (2011), Camelot (2012), Australia (2014), Capri (2017), Sovereign (2019), Santiago (2020),

(2023), Los Angeles (2024)'' Leading owner (16 wins): ''(includes part ownership)'' *

Michael Tabor Michael Barry Tabor (born 28 October 1941) is a British racehorse owner. As a partner in Coolmore Stud, he is one of only four racehorse owners to have won both the Epsom Derby and the Kentucky Derby. Tabor has extensive business interest ...

– ''Desert King (1997), Montjeu (1999), Galileo (2001), High Chaparral (2002), Dylan Thomas (2006), Soldier of Fortune (2007), Frozen Fire (2008), Fame and Glory (2009), Cape Blanco (2010), Treasure Beach (2011), Australia (2014), Capri (2017), Sovereign (2019), Santiago (2020),

(2023), Los Angeles (2024)'' A Unique Racing Record - Only Owner to complete the Derby and Grand National Double * William Brophy, Herbertstown House, Two-Mile-House, Naas, County Kildare. Farmer, Breeder and Owner In 1880 William Brophy completed a unique double by owning the winner of both the Irish Derby with King of the Bees and the Irish Grand National with Controller. Also uniquely both winners were out of the same Dam Winged Bee.

Winners since 1946

Premonition finished first in 1953 but was disqualified.

Earlier winners

* 1866: Selim * 1867: Golden Plover * 1868: Madeira * 1869: The Scout * 1870: Billy Pitt * 1871: Maid of Athens * 1872: Trickstress * 1873: Kyrle Daly * 1874: Ben Battle * 1875: Innishowen * 1876: Umpire * 1877: Redskin * 1878: Madame du Barry * 1879: Soulouque * 1880: King of the Bees * 1881: Master Ned * 1882: Sortie * 1883: Sylph * 1884: Theologian * 1885: St Kevin * 1886: Theodemir * 1887: Pet Fox * 1888: Theodolite * 1889: Tragedy * 1890: Kentish Fire * 1891: Narraghmore * 1892: Roy Neil * 1893: Bowline * 1894: Blairfinde * 1895: Portmarnock * 1896: Gulsalberk * 1897: Wales * 1898: Noble Howard * 1899: Oppressor * 1900: Gallinaria * 1901: Carrigavalla * 1902: St Brendan * 1903: Lord Rossmore * 1904: Royal Arch * 1905: Flax Park * 1906: Killeagh * 1907:

* 1908: Wild Bouquet * 1909:

Bachelor's Double Bachelor's Double (22 April 1906 – 3 February 1931) was an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse that raced in Ireland and Britain and was a successful sire in the early 20th century. He won the Irish Derby as a three-year-old and also won the C ...

* 1910: Aviator * 1911: Shanballymore * 1912: Civility * 1913: Bachelor's Wedding * 1914: Land of Song * 1915: Ballaghtobin * 1916: Furore * 1917: First Flier * 1918: King John * 1919: Loch Lomond * 1920: He Goes * 1921: Ballyheron * 1922: Spike Island * 1923: Waygood * 1924: Haine / Zodiac ¹ * 1925: Zionist * 1926: Embargo * 1927: Knight of the Grail * 1928: Baytown * 1929: Kopi * 1930: Rock Star * 1931: Sea Serpent * 1932: Dastur * 1933: Harinero * 1934: Patriot King / Primero * 1935: Museum * 1936: Raeburn * 1937: Phideas * 1938: Rosewell * 1939: Mondragon * 1940:

Turkhan Turkhan (1937 – after 1952) was a British Thoroughbred horse racing, racehorse and Horse breeding#Terminology, sire, who raced during World War II and was best known for winning the British Classic Races, classic St Leger in 1940. He showed ...

* 1941: Sol Oriens * 1942: Windsor Slipper * 1943: The Phoenix * 1944: Slide On * 1945: Piccadilly

References

* Paris-Turf: **, , , , , , , , *

Racing Post ''Racing Post'' is a British daily horse racing, greyhound racing, and sports betting publisher published in print and digital formats. It is printed in tabloid format from Monday to Sunday. , it has an average daily circulation of 60,629 ...

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History

Records

Winners since 1946

Earlier winners

See also

References

External links