The remarkable Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien, who has won the Darley Irish Oaks (Ire-I) four times, will send out a strong group of fillies to compete in the 2015 renewal of the race at the Curragh racecourse.
The 1 1/2-mile Irish classic has attracted a field of ten, including four trainer by O’Brien. However, the favorite to win is David Wachman’s Curvy, who has been victorious in her last four starts, including the 1 1/2-mile Ribblesdale Stakes (Eng-II) on June 18th at Royal Ascot.
The top contender from O’Brien’s barn was expected to be Qualify, winner of the prestigious Investec Oaks (Eng-I) and most recently sixth against colts in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Ire-I). However, with overnight rain have reduced the course conditions at the Curragh to “Good to Yielding,” Qualify is expected to scratch and await a different race. In her place, Words has assumed the role as the favorite among the O’Brien runners. A daughter of Dansili, Words has gone unbeaten in two starts thus far, winning a maiden race at the Curragh before scoring a three-quarter length victory in the 1 1/2-mile Munster Oaks Stakes (Ire-III) at Cork.
Rounding out the O’Brien contingent are Together Forever, who won the Dubai Fillies Mile (Eng-I) at Newmarket last year and most recently finished seventh in the Investec Oaks; and Kissed By Angels, who won the Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial (Ire-III) before finishing a disappointing 17th in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas (Ire-I).
The complete field for the Irish Oaks is as follows:
Irish Oaks (Ire-I)
PP/Horse/Jockey/Trainer
1 Stellar Glow, Kevin Manning, Jim Bolger
2 Curvy, Wayne Lordan, David Wachman
3 Speedy Boarding, Frederick Tylicki, James Fanshawe
4 Gretchen, Andrea Atzeni, John Gosden
5 Jack Naylor, F. M. Berry, Mrs. John Harrington
6 Qualify, Colm O’Donoghue, Aidan O’Brien
7 Together Forever, Seamie Heffernan, Aidan O’Brien
8 Covert Love, Pat Smullen, Hugo Palmer
9 Kissed By Angels, Michael Hussey, Aidan O’Brien
10 Words, Joseph O’Brien, Aidan O’Brien
(Please note that the post position numbers differ from the program numbers used for wagering purposes.)
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