What Next For Group Winners At The Curragh?

It was a big weekend at the Curragh as they hosted the Irish Oaks festival, with Minnie Hauk bagging a Classic double, alongside some other quality events.

The filly justified incredibly short odds of 2/11 to claim her Epsom/Curragh double and it was to prove quite the afternoon at the Kildare circuit for favourite-backers as all four Group-races went the way of the market leaders.

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True Love blossoms in Railway Stakes romp

The ever-powerful Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore axis picked up the first of the Curragh's pattern races on Saturday as True Love dominated in the Group 2 GAIN Railway Stakes.

The No Nay Never filly had bettered two excellent seconds at this track and Navan by opening her account in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot last month over 5f and the return to 6f proved no concern as she obliterated some decent colts in Puerto Rico, Power Blue and Learntodiscover.

The Group 1 Phoenix Stakes back at the Curragh next month or the Prix Morny in France could be considered as her next starts and, after her latest success, True Love shortened into 16/1 with some firms for next season's 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

She was the 15th winner of the Railway Stakes for O'Brien, who feels the speedy filly is now ready for a top-level assignment.

"Obviously she's fast so we weren't sure she'd get six (furlongs). I suppose we were finding out a little bit about her really," said the trainer.

"The Phoenix Stakes would be there for her as well as the Prix Morny and the Cheveley Park [at Newmarket]. It was a Group 2 today and she'd be ready for one of those Group 1s now."

Arizona Blaze lights up Sapphire Stakes

Trainer Adrian Murray is becoming adept at sending out big-race winners and Arizona Blaze landed a statement success for the Co Westmeath trainer in the Amo Racing silks as he won the Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh.

It was the fifth career success for the Sergei Prokofiev colt and the biggest to date.

Twice a Curragh winner in 2024, Arizona Blaze now boasts form figures of 121331 at the Kildare circuit.

It's been a busy campaign to date, as Saturday's race was his sixth start since March and his third win. He came into the race in good nick after being edged out in the Commonwealth Cup by Time For Sandals last month.

Ed Walker's raider Mgheera was usurped as favourite but ran well to be second as Arizona Blaze justified joint-favouritism at the off when powering home under David Egan for a comfortable two-length win.

York's Nunthorpe and the Sprint Cup at Haydock could be future targets but Amo Racing supremo Kia Joorabchian was non-committal, hinting that America could be a destination.

"We haven't made any plans, this is a good moment for us," he said. "I think we'll aim for the Breeders' Cup. I think he'll get a Group 1 somewhere."

𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐚 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐳𝐞 sparkles in the Sapphire Stakes @curraghrace 💎@amoracingltd | @DavidEgan99 | @AMurrayRacing pic.twitter.com/YclGTsbHJH

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 19, 2025

Al Riffa signals Melbourne Cup potential

Joseph O'Brien's Al Riffa justified 4/5 favouritism to win the Group 2 Curragh Cup over 1m6f in the hands of Dylan McMonagle and put his name in the mix for the Melbourne Cup.

Al Riffa powered five-lengths clear of Shackleton for Aidan O'Brien and Moore. He's already a dual Group 1 winner and is thriving as his stamina is teased out.

The Irish St Leger and the Melbourne Cup are now firmly on the agenda for this classy sort after he showed a fine turn of foot in the Curragh contest.

"He's got a lot of class and he was last to first in a National Stakes here," said stable representative Kevin Blake.

"No one ever felt that he needed that trip but it made sense. He'll go straight to the Irish Leger [now]. The Melbourne Cup is in the mind thereafter. We all know what comes with that but it's what we'd like to do."