Irish Derby update Ruler Of The World has been confirmed a definite runner in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on Saturday, June 29th and the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt is again likely to clash with his two nearest Epsom rivals Libertarian and Galileo Rock. Libertarian will have to be supplemented to the race at a cost of 75,000 euro, but his trainer Elaine Burke has stated that connections of the colt are prepared to do just that. Speaking at the Curragh on Sunday, Aidan O’Brien gave an upbeat bulletin on his star colt. “Ruler Of The World has come out of the Epsom race in great shape and it’s all systems go for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby,” he said. “We could not be happier with the horse and at the moment he is likely to be our only runner in the race.” Libertarian and Galileo Rock were both doing their best work at the finish at Epsom and were only beaten one and a half lengths and a short head respectively by Ruler Of The World. David Wachman reported Galileo Rock in “excellent form” following his exertions at Epsom. “He has come out of the Epsom race in great form,” commented Wachman. “The horse has several race options open to him but the Irish Derby is high on the list and we will make a decision nearer the time.” Elaine Burke, who will attempt to become the first female trainer to win the Irish Derby, is also to aim her fast-finishing Derby runner-up Libertarian. Her husband Karl said that the New Approach colt would have the week off before they would begin building him up again for his next assignment, where they hope the course and pace of the race will enable him to reverse the form. Trading Leather booked his place in the line-up for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby when landing the Listed TRM Silver Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday. Runner-up in the Dante Stakes at York and third behind Magician in the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas in his two previous races, Jim Bolger’s colt really impressed in that Listed contest. “He is a tough colt who stays really well and the Irish Derby will be his next objective,” commented Bolger. Curragh-based trainer Patrick Prendergast is set to have his first ever runner in the Irish Derby with the highly progressive Sugar Boy. The son of Authorized had both Galileo Rock and Libertarian behind him when he gamely landed a Group Three contest at Sandown in April and is fully deserving of his chance in the line-up. “Sugar Boy has thrived since the Sandown race,” said Prendergast, whose late grandfather and namesake won this race with Ragusa (1963) and Meadow Court (1965). “The horse would like a bit of juice in the ground but either way he is a definite runner and I can see him run a very big race.” Another trainer having his first runner in the race is Pat Shanahan, who will saddle recent Chester winner Ralston Road. “He didn’t really handle the track at Chester but his courage saw him through in the end,” remarked Shanahan, who won this race as a rider aboard the Dermot Weld-trained Zagreb in 1996. “Ralston Road is in great form and has come on a good deal since that Chester win. He is a real galloper, stays the trip well and is entitled to take his chance in the race.” The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival takes place from the 28th to 30th June and will feature world class racing, fabulous fashion with the winner of the Most Stylish Lady competition judged by Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan winning a 5 Star Dubai holiday plus a spectacular diamond ring from Boodles, superb Food Paddock and the Derby Music Village with live music throughout Derby Day featuring the Raglans, Delorentos, Original Rude Boys and Sharon Shannon. Paddy Power, official betting partner of the Curragh Racecourse latest betting: 5-4 Ruler Of The World, 7-2 Libertarian, 6 Galileo Rock, Trading Leather, 7 Sugar Boy, 20 Little White Cloud A special Derby Day admission ticket can now be purchased in advance for only €30, which includes a free Derby bus from Dublin City Centre, collecting at Ballsbridge Inn, Bewleys Leopardstown, Newlands Cross and Browns Barn The Irish Double ticket is also available to purchase. Costing just €50, it will permit fans of racing and golf to enjoy one of the best sporting and social occasions of the year in the third round of the Irish Open at Carton House during the day, followed by the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh in the evening. There is also the option to book the Irish Double shuttle bus from the Curragh to the Irish Open departing from the racecourse at 8am and returning in the afternoon.
