Horse Racing Links
- Want your site listed here? Contact Us.
Irish Oaks
The Irish Oaks is the second leg of the Irish Fillies' Triple Crown and one of the Irish Classic Races; it is perhaps one of the most exciting races for three-year-old fillies on the Irish racing calendar. Held annually in July at Curragh Racecourse, although known as 'The Curragh', the Irish Oaks are a fierce contest between the speediest and brightest young female thoroughbreds of the season.
When it was inaugurated in 1895, the Irish Oaks was run over a distance of one mile, however, perhaps in an effort to up the ante for the young contenders, the distance was changed to one mile and four furlongs in 1915. The Irish Oaks currently awards a total purse of ^500,000, making it one of the most valuable races for three-year-old fillies in Ireland.
The Irish Oaks is the equivalent of the Epsom Oaks, part of the English Fillies' Triple Crown, the series which stood model for the Irish Classic races. It is held two weeks after the Irish Derby, the answer to the Epsom Derby, which is a version of the Irish Oaks restricted to colts. Runners in the Irish Oaks have often competed in the Epsom Oaks earlier in the season and those who perform well at the Curragh frequently move on to enter the Yorkshire Oaks in August. As the Irish Oaks is by now truly a part of the most coveted events for three-year-old fillies it draws an impressive number of visitors every year.
Jockey Johnny Murtagh is one of the living legends to leave his mark on the Irish Oaks. So far this outstanding athlete has ridden five winners in the event; Ebadiyla in 1997, Winona in 1998, Petrushka in 2000, Peeping Fawn in 2007, and Moonstone in 2008. The most successful trainer at the Irish Oaks is currently Sir Michael Stoute, who trained six winners since 1978.
Recent Winners of the Irish Oaks:
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
2010 |
Snow Fairy |
Ryan Moore |
Ed Dunlop |
2:34.80 |
2009 |
Sariska |
Jamie Spencer |
Michael Bell |
2:45.84 |
2008 |
Moonstone |
Johnny Murtagh |
Aidan O'Brien |
2:34.37 |
2007 |
Peeping Fawn |
Johnny Murtagh |
Aidan O'Brien |
2:39.12 |
2006 |
Alexandrova |
Kieren Fallon |
Aidan O'Brien |
2:29.60 |
2005 |
Shawanda |
Christophe Soumillon |
Alain De Royer-Dupre |
2:27.10 |
Irish Oaks Odds and News
6 Sep 2011: Blue Bunting Not Afraid Of The Boys In Ladbrokes St Leger
Connections of Blue Bunting are confident their filly can defeat the colts in this Saturday’s Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster by making the most of her weight allowance.
Blue Bunting is currently second favourite for the event, behind Sir Michael Stoute’s Sea Moon.
“Obviously, her sex allowance will be incredibly important and hopefully will give her every chance of beating the colts,” racing manager Simon Crisford said of Blue Bunting.
Blue Bunting won the 1,600 metre 1,000 Guineas earlier this season, much to the surprise of her owners and trainer.
“Leading up to the Guineas, we felt then that a longer trip than a mile would suit her much better but she was brilliant that day on fast ground,” Crisford said.
The three-year-old filly has won five of her 7 race starts, including the Irish and Yorkshire Oaks.
“She is super tough and very resolute – she gives everything she has though she wins her races by a narrow margin,” Crisford said.
“Looking at her now, she is as robust and healthy as she was back in May which is why she is going for the Ladbrokes St Leger.
“We thought we must let her take her chance against the colts while she was in such great form.”
Open an account with top online bookmaker 
Bet365 today and get the best odds on all races throughout Britain and Ireland.
Bet365 offer all the best racing and betting information in the one place, so place your Ladbrokes St Leger bets there today!
