Capital Stud sponsors final juvenile race of Flat season

The Curragh has extended its relationship with Capital Stud with the inaugural running of the Castle Star at Capital Stud EBF Maiden for two-year-olds, taking place on the final day of the Irish Flat season on Sunday 5th November.

Castle Star was one of the leading two-year-olds in 2021 and enjoyed success at the Curragh in both the Group 3 GAIN Marble Hill Stakes and Listed GAIN First Flier Stakes, before going on to finish runner-up in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes in Newmarket.

Ger O’Neill, representing Capital Stud said: “We’re delighted to be working with the Curragh again this year through our sponsorship of the Castle Star at Capital Stud EBF Two-Year-Old Maiden.

"Castle Star was such a good two-year-old himself and had so much success at the Curragh, we felt it was the perfect race for Castle Star to be associated with.

"Having sponsored the first two-year-old race of the year at headquarters, it is quite fitting that we sponsor the last.

"We’re thrilled to be standing Castle Star for the 2024 breeding season - we’ve already received plenty of interest in him and look forward to welcoming breeders to Capital Stud to see him.”

Capital Stud will present the breeder of the first three placed horses with a Castle Star nomination for the 2024 season, while they will also provide additional benefits for stable staff including gifts for grooms in the race.

Evan Arkwright, the Curragh’s Racing and Sponsorship Manager, said, “Capital Stud has been a great supporter of the racecourse this year having already sponsored the very first two-year-old race of our season in March and we look forward to working with them to highlight their association with the final turf race for juveniles of 2023 to promote Castle Star as the latest addition to their team of stallions.”

In addition, the eight-race programme with free admission for all starting at 12.10pm will feature the Group 3 Comer Group International Loughbrown Stakes, the valuable €50,000 Tote Athgarvan Premier Handicap and the Listed Racing TV Finale Stakes. Presentations to the leading owner, trainer, jockey, and apprentice jockey of 2023 Irish Flat season will be made during the afternoon, There will also be presentations to acknowledge the Curragh’s leading riding and training performances of the year.