The upcoming Goffs Million event at the Curragh on Saturday draws attention due to the exceptional amount being raced for by such a small number of entrants. This prestigious European two-year-old race sees only 2023 Goffs Orby Sale graduates competing for a prize fund much larger than the norm.
The race consists of a field of 14, three of which are British horses and two are making their racing debut. The standout favourite is Apples And Bananas, trained by Joseph O’Brien, who boasts a 100 Listed rating. The horse stands a good chance of winning the grand prize of €500,000. This seven-furlong race is due to start at 3:45pm and will be included in TG4’s coverage of Listowel’s final day.
The anticipation of the race is also heightened due to the conditions of the soft ground and the challenge this poses for Irish favourites Babouche and Lake Victoria. Those in the racing industry are also watching governmental budget allocations closely, amid concerns over how recent public image issues may affect them. Meanwhile, ticket prices for the 2024 Cheltenham Festival will maintain their 2024 costs following a review.
Furthermore, there is a similar prize money allocation in the other high-stakes race specific to those listed at Ireland’s top yearling sale last year. Thus, every competitor in the slightly shorter Goffs 500, worth €500,000 race will be walking away with some earnings.
Despite the rather disappointing turnout of just 10 runners for the newly introduced race for sprint-bred Orby purchases, it has the potential to yield a dream-like result for jockey Wesley Joyce. The 21-year-old, who made a remarkable comeback last season after a horrific fall at the 2022 Galway festival, is partnered with Lightning Bear. The horse cost only €5,000 and this race could procure an amazing payout for both horse and jockey.
In light of One Look beating 22 others in the previous year’s Million, the race’s field of 14 does seem scant. However, outcomes like Wesley Joyce’s potential win certainly help to promote restricted races.
Rather than backing The Lion In Winter, Alepope Canyon and Garden of Eden are the preferred picks of the Ballydoyle squad, given the former’s recent injury. Ahead of the pack is Apples And Bananas, a horse belonging to Joseph O’Brien’s quartet, who recently won in Deauville. He’s a wise investment, having already earned substantial returns on his initial outlay of €130,000.
This weekend sees the third running of the profitable Friends of the Curragh Irish Cesarewitch flat handicap – one of Europe’s richest – rivalling a 30-strong field. A huge increase in the monetary prize by former Horse Racing Ireland chairman, Joe Keeling and others, sees the event transformed from last year’s €80,000 race to one of significant merit.
Notably, these most recent two editions have been a rollercoaster of events. Wayne Lordan bagged a top performance on favourite Waterville and there was an unexpected 150-1 upset by Magellan Strait last year. The latter returns this year alongside seven others from Joseph O’Brien among three British invaders.
Nurburgring, another of O’Brien’s runners, notched up the Galway Hurdle over the summer and showed impressive form behind Fighter at the last Irish Champions Festival. Willie Mullins’ Spasiba was slightly outperformed by Nurburgring, but a longer distance this time could work in his favour. Set to ride at the lower weight of 8st 9lbs and with Lordan as jockey, the short draw distance should also play in his favour.
An impressive €230,000 of prize money is up for grabs across three Group races at the Curragh this weekend, where Aidan O’Brien seeks his impressive 22nd win at Saturday’s Montane Beresford Stakes. Trinity College, a recent wide-margin victor in Galway, looks to be Ballydoyle’s main hope. However, Andrew Balding’s Windlord, victorious at York, and Hotazhell, second-place finisher in the Futurity, are not to be easily discounted.
Ryan Moore is set to return to the Curragh this Sunday, partnering with The Euphrates in the Cesarewitch and also joining forces with Heavens Gate for the Group Three Weld Park Stakes. Previously a favourite in York’s Lowther where she placed fourth, she also claimed a limited award in the Ballyhane. This opens up an excellent chance for her to add more winning black type. The last day of Listowel’s festival ends with a bumper wherein Gavin Cromwell’s Addragoole might delight in the ground conditions more than others.