Juddmonte to Continue Sponsorship of Irish Oaks

The Curragh is delighted to announce that Juddmonte have agreed to renew their sponsorship of the Irish Oaks.

Ireland's premier race for fillies will take place at The Curragh on Saturday 22nd July as the feature of the two-day Juddmonte Irish Oaks Weekend.

Juddmonte have enjoyed a long and successful association with the Curragh since 1988 when they first sponsored the Group 2 Beresford Stakes. In 2018 they became a Group 1 sponsor in Ireland for the first time with support of the Pretty Polly Stakes and in 2020 they elevated their association to a Classic race sponsor through support of the Irish Oaks.

It is very fitting that they should sponsor the Irish Oaks as the Juddmonte colours have been carried to success in the Irish Oaks on three occasions through Enable in 2017, Bolas in 1994 and Wemyss Bight in 1993.

Many of the Curragh's other top races have been won by horses carrying these famous racing silks including Westover who landed the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby last year.

Douglas Erskine-Crum, CEO of Juddmonte said "Juddmonte is delighted to renew our sponsorship of the Group 1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks. It is extremely important to Juddmonte to support Irish racing and breeding and appreciate its sizeable contribution to the wider industry; we feel the Irish Oaks and Curragh racecourse are perfectly placed to demonstrate this commitment."

The Juddmonte-owned Bluestocking trained by Ralph Beckett, an impressive winner on her only career start last year, and Tide Pool trained by Dermot Weld are among the 87 first entries for the €500,000 contest this year. Other notable contenders include Europe's leading juvenile filly Tahiyra, Never Ending Story, Statuette, Delightful and Sandy Creek.

Brian Kavanagh, CEO Curragh Racecourse Ltd said "We are delighted to be able to announce the extension of Juddmonte's sponsorship of the Irish Oaks and look forward to a quality renewal as always in July. Juddmonte have been fantastic supporters of the Curragh and of the industry here in Ireland for many years as owners, breeders and sponsors and we greatly look forward to our continued partnership with them in this prestigious race. The Irish Oaks has been won by some wonderful fillies over the years, including the great Enable in 2017."

The Curragh is delighted to announce that US-based Keeneland is to extend its sponsorship of the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes for a further three years.

An emphatic seven-length victory in last year's race saw Little Big Bear this week crowned Europe's champion two-year-old of 2022 with a rating of 124.

Keeneland's commitment to the six-furlong contest will see prize money increase to €350,000 in 2024 and €400,000 in 2025 to ensure that the race remains one of the most sought-after juvenile prizes in Europe.

Shannon Arvin, President, and CEO of Keeneland, commented: "Keeneland's close connection with the Irish bloodstock and racing industries goes back many decades and we are delighted to celebrate that ongoing bond with the continuation of this longstanding sponsorship.

"We witnessed Little Big Bear win one of the best renewals of the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes last season, with a performance that this week saw him crowned Europe's champion juvenile, and we look forward to working with the Curragh to continue to grow the race in future years."

Located at Lexington in Kentucky, the Keeneland Association operates both the world's largest thoroughbred sales company and an iconic racecourse that hosted the Breeders' Cup in 2022.

Keeneland has sponsored the Phoenix Stakes since 2010 and other notable recent winners include Siskin, Caravaggio, Lucky Vega, Sioux Nation and Advertise.

Brian Kavanagh, CEO Curragh Racecourse Ltd, said: "Keeneland have been a valued partner for the Curragh for many years and we are delighted to be able to announce this extension and enhancement of their sponsorship. They are a pleasure to deal with and the ties between Keeneland and the Irish racing and breeding industries have become stronger in recent years. Their commitment to increasing prize money for the race over the next three years is most welcome and we greatly look forward to working with Keeneland on this sponsorship."