Curragh: Irish Derby, Sunday, June 29 – runner-by-runner guide and tips
Race: Irish Derby
When: 4.10pm, Sunday, June 29
Where: The Curragh
Trip: 1m 4f
Class: Group 1
Total prize money: €1.25m (about £1.07m)
Odds provided by Boylesports and correct at the time of writing. Stars denote strength of selection (max 5).
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Ron Wood's Irish Derby verdict
Aidan O'Brien trains half of the 10 runners including LAMBOURN, the front-running winner of the Derby at Epsom three weeks ago. This one should again be well positioned on a track that can favour forwardly ridden horses. Green Impact may be his biggest threat.
Irish Derby – Guide to runners and odds
2. Lambourn (5) – 5/6 with BoyleSports
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien; Jockey: Ryan Moore: Backed up his Chester Vase success with front-running win the Derby at Epsom. Should again be well positioned and he gallops for fun. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
9. Tennessee Stud (10) – 4/1 with BoyleSports
Trainer: Joseph O'Brien; Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle: Group 1 winner in France as a two-year-old and fared best of those from off the pace when third behind Lambourn and Lazy Griff in the Derby at Epsom. Could progress some more. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
1. Green Impact (6) – 6/1 with BoyleSports
Trainer: Jessica Harrington; Jockey: Shane Foley: Group 2-winning juvenile who was midfield in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on his reappearance. Won a 1m 1f Listed race at Leopardstown next time and is a potential improver now upped to this trip. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. Pride Of Arras (8) – 8/1 with BoyleSports
Trainer: Ralph Beckett; Jockey: Rossa Ryan: On his sole start as a two-year-old, he landed a Sandown maiden that his trainer won with the subsequent 2022 Irish Derby winner Westover. Quickened off a steady pace to follow up in the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York on his reappearance but that form is poor and he flopped at Epsom. Is being given another chance to prove his worth. ⭐⭐⭐
3. Lazy Griff (4) – 14/1 with BoyleSports
Trainer: Charlie Johnston; Jockey: William Buick: Beaten into second by Lambourn in the Chester Vase and in the Derby at Epsom. Rain could aid his cause. ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
5. Puppet Master (7) – 14/1 with BoyleSports
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien; Jockey: Wayne Lordan: Two places behind Lambourn at Leopardstown on his reappearance. Narrowly won the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial next time. Non-runner (vet's certificate) at Royal Ascot. ⭐⭐⭐
6. Serious Contender (1) – 33/1 with BoyleSports
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien; Jockey: Gavin Ryan: Runner-up in the King George V handicap at Royal Ascot. This is a big jump in class but the horse who defeated him at Ascot, Merchant, is highly regarded (entered in the Group 1 King George) and was getting 2lb. He could improve. ⭐⭐
8. Sir Dinadan (2) – 40/1 with BoyleSports
Trainer: Ralph Beckett; Jockey: Richard Kingscote: Steadily progressive. Beaten four lengths into second in a Goodwood Listed race, but the winner followed up in a Group 2 at Royal Ascot. ⭐⭐
10. Thrice (3) – 50/1 with BoyleSports
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien; Jockey: Declan McDonogh: Well behind Lambourn and Lazy Griff in the Chester Vase, but that was his reappearance. Much better when winning a Group 3 race over 1m 2f at the Curragh next time (promoted to first by the stewards; Shackleton behind in fourth). Plenty more needed, but the stamina test should suit him. ⭐⭐⭐
7. Shackleton (9) – 100/1 with BoyleSports
Odds courtesy of BoyleSports and correct at time of writing
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Ron Wood 2025 horse racing P/L
(up to and including Thursday June 26)
Star ratings explained
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - confident selection
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - strong fancy
⭐⭐⭐ - fair claims
⭐⭐ - tentative choice
⭐ - minimum confidence
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