The J.P. McManus-owned gelding was one of three runners for the Carriganóg handler in the six-runner contest.

Ridden by Declan McDonagh, the son of Churchill was a three-quarters-of-a-length winner over Happy Pharoah (25/1), from the Donnacha O’Brien yard.

The Paddy Harnett-ridden runner-up had a further three-quarters-of-a-length advantage over the race favourite, Al Riffa (4/6 favourite), who finished in third in the hands of Dylan Browne McMonagle.

“He loves it!”

Declan McDonogh on Trustyourinstinct – winner of the Curragh Cup @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/AkcN27epBa

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 19, 2026

The post Trustyourinstinct lands Group 2 Curragh Cup appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The three-year-old filly from the Joseph O’Brien stable ran out a ready four-length winner on the fillies’ classic over a mile and a half.

Inis Mór (11/2), one of the overseas-trained challengers, claimed the runner-up spot under Killarney-born jockey Oisín Murphy. The pair had three-quarters-of-a-length to spare over the Jim Bolger-prepared Sparán Nua (8/1) in third, for rider Declan McDonagh.

The race favourite, Earth Shot (9/4 favourite), ridden by James Doyle for English handler William Haggas, disappointed in sixth position.

Thundering On, Joseph O’Brien’s highly impressive winner of the Betfred Oaks at Epsom in June, was withdrawn early on Saturday morning, reportedly off her feed.

“It’s kind of made our year, to be quite honest.”@JosephOBrien2 has the won the @JuddmonteFarms-backed Irish Oaks, and the trainer speaks to Gary O’Brien about now being on the training roster of the world-famous operation @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/heWgUBNdRH

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 18, 2026

The post Johanna Walsh impresses in Juddmonte Irish Oaks win appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Here is a list – per day, per race – of the Irish-handled horses who currently hold entries.

Day One: Tuesday, 16 June 2026

3.05 Coventry Stakes (Group 2)

Arizona Raider (IRE) Michael Mulvany
Bull Shark (IRE) Robson Aguiar
Confucius (IRE) A P O’Brien
Great Barrier Reef (IRE) A P O’Brien
High King (IRE) Donnacha Aidan O’Brien
The Harv (IRE) M D O’Callaghan
The Scallionator (IRE) Michael Mulvany

3.40 King Charles III Stakes (Group 1)

Mission Central (IRE) A P O’Brien

4.20 St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) (Round Course)

Gstaad (GB) A P O’Brien
Power Blue (IRE) Robson Aguiar
Puerto Rico (IRE) A P O’Brien

5.00 Ascot Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Bunting (FR) W P Mullins
Reaching High (IRE) W P Mullins
Mordor (FR) Gordon Elliott
Galileo Dame (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Comfort Zone (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Defiantly (FR) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Small Fry (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Westminster Moon (IRE) A J Martin
Ismahane (GER) P Twomey
Glenroyal (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Puturhandstogether (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Tim Toe (IRE) Henry De Bromhead
Kizlyar (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien

5.35 Wolferton Stakes (Listed)

Adelaide River (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Galen (GB) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Gaucher (GB) W P Mullins

6.10 Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Ascending (IRE) Henry De Bromhead
Aeronautic (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Your Going Report a day out from #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/ktaaFlkIhO

— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 15, 2026

Day Two: Wednesday, 17 June 2026

2.30 Queen Mary Stakes (Fillies’ Group 2)

Armor Supreme (IRE) Diego Dias
Big Negotiator (GB) P Twomey
Velozee (IRE) P Twomey
Victorious (IRE) A P O’Brien
Your Song (IRE) Robson Aguiar

3.05 Queen’s Vase (Group 2)

Asakir (IRE) J P Murtagh
Limestone (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Port Of Spain (IRE) A P O’Brien

3.40 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Fillies’ And Mares’ Group 2) (Round Course)

Jancis (IRE) W McCreery
Carolina Jetstream (GB) Robson Aguiar
Catalina Delcarpio (IRE) P Twomey
Snellen (IRE) Gavin Patrick Cromwell

4.20 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1)

Mississippi River (IRE) A P O’Brien
Minnie Hauk (IRE) A P O’Brien

5.00 Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Straight Course)

Jagged Edge (IRE) Stephen Thorne
Diego El Queso (IRE) G M Lyons

6.10 Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed)

Celeron (GB) M D O’Callaghan
Ischgl (IRE) Ciaran Murphy
King Of Cloughan (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
One Number (USA) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Our Boy Bailey (IRE) Mrs John Harrington
Ruler’s Control (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Sergei Diaghilev (IRE) A P O’Brien
Controlla (IRE) Robson Aguiar

Ryan Moore on Aidan O’Brien and the jockey’s choice of Ballydoyle rides in big races here in conversation with @nickluck ahead of Royal Ascot.

Enjoy the full feature on our YouTube channel! @WorldPool

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 15, 2026

Day Three: Thursday, 18 June 2026

2.30 Chesham Stakes (Listed)

Aix La Chapelle (USA) A P O’Brien
King Of Cloughan (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Nola Soul (USA) J A Stack
On Just Terms (USA) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
South Dakota (IRE) A P O’Brien

3.05 King George V Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Port Of Spain (IRE) A P O’Brien
New Zealand (IRE) A P O’Brien
Nil Bua Gan Dua (USA) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Amadeus Mozart (IRE) A P O’Brien
Cannes (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Port Ferdinand (IRE) A P O’Brien
Trojan Fighter (GB) P Twomey
Atomic City (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Dial Me In (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Enceladus (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Believed (IRE) J P Murtagh
Genchev (GB) G M Lyons
Bay Of Stars (GB) D K Weld

3.40 Ribblesdale Stakes (Fillies’ Group 2)

Cameo (IRE) A P O’Brien
Composing (IRE) A P O’Brien
Dark Lucinda (IRE) P Twomey
Johanna Walsh (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Sparan Nua (IRE) J S Bolger
Sugar Island (IRE) A P O’Brien

4.15 Gold Cup (Group 1)

Al Riffa (FR) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Dallas Star (FR) Robson Aguiar
Jan Brueghel (IRE) A P O’Brien
Carmers (IRE) P Twomey
Scandinavia (USA) A P O’Brien

4.50 Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Straight)

Isaac Newton (IRE) A P O’Brien
Dorset (IRE) A P O’Brien
Bamako Beach (IRE) M D O’Callaghan
Flushing Meadows (USA) A P O’Brien
Victory Tip (IRE) Henry De Bromhead
Bobby McGee (GB) Noel Meade
Accredited (FR) A P O’Brien
Jamestown (IRE) David Marnane
God Of Power (IRE) Andrew Slattery
Invincible Will (IRE) Gavin Patrick Cromwell

5.35 Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)

Causeway (IRE) A P O’Brien
Andab (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Endorsement (IRE) A P O’Brien
Italy (GB) A P O’Brien
Nil Bua Gan Dua (USA) Joseph Patrick O’Brien

6.10 Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap)

Cowardofthecounty (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Royal @Ascot week is here! pic.twitter.com/n8TcOrqKle

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 15, 2026

Day Four: Friday, 19 June 2026

2.30 Albany Stakes (Fillies’ Group 3)

Controlla (IRE) Robson Aguiar
Green Empress (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
New Bond Street (GB) P Twomey
Sun Goddess (IRE) A P O’Brien
Victorious (IRE) A P O’Brien

3.05 Commonwealth Cup (Group 1)

Albert Einstein (IRE) A P O’Brien
Brussels (GB) A P O’Brien
Charles Darwin (IRE) A P O’Brien
Power Blue (IRE) Robson Aguiar
Havana Anna (GB) Donnacha Aidan O’Brien

3.40 Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Emit (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Omni Man (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Tuscan Hills (FR) Robson Aguiar
Aeronautic (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Bosphorus Rose (GB) P Twomey
Perfect Your Craft (IRE) P Twomey
Ndaawi (GB) Gordon Elliott

4.20 Coronation Stakes (Fillies’ Group 1) (Round Course)

Balantina (IRE) Donnacha Aidan O’Brien
Black Caviar Gold (IRE) P Twomey
Precise (IRE) A P O’Brien
True Love (IRE) A P O’Brien

5.00 Sandringham Stakes (Fillies’ Handicap) (Straight)

Black Caviar Gold (IRE) P Twomey
Sky Watch (IRE) M D O’Callaghan
Mixed Feelings (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Quiet Mutiny (IRE) Gavin Patrick Cromwell
Glyfada (IRE) Donnacha Aidan O’Brien
Green Carrera (GB) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Stars Will Shine (IRE) Noel Meade
Spinning Around (IRE) Donnacha Aidan O’Brien
Anushka (IRE) Henry De Bromhead

5.35 King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2)

Asakir (IRE) J P Murtagh
Benvenuto Cellini (IRE) A P O’Brien
Causeway (IRE) A P O’Brien
Endorsement (IRE) A P O’Brien
Limestone (IRE) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Nil Bua Gan Dua (USA) Joseph Patrick O’Brien
Port Of Spain (IRE) A P O’Brien

6.10 Palace Of Holyroodhouse (Handicap)

Ipanema Queen (IRE) Robson Aguiar

Precise v True Love in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot next week. Ryan Moore hopes to be on the right one this time!@nickluck | @WorldPool

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 14, 2026

Day Five: Saturday, 20 June 2026

3.40 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1)

Chicago Critic (GB) J P Murtagh
Comanche Brave (IRE) Donnacha Aidan O’Brien

5.00 Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap)

Black Forza (USA) M D O’Callaghan
City House (IRE) Adrian McGuinness
Dark Ace (IRE) Adrian McGuinness
Fort Vega (FR) Ms Sheila Lavery
Indigo Dream (GB) Ross O’Sullivan
The Highway Rat (IRE) A Oliver
Thunderbear (IRE) Jack W Davison

The post Royal Ascot 2026: Irish-Trained Runners & Entries appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The other Grade 1 contest of the day, the Barberstwon Castle Novice Chase saw Willie Mullins add to his haul at the highest level through Majborough.

Two wins for J.P. McManus

Petit Tonnerre (16/1) and Richie McLernon gave J.P. McManus another Punchestown 2025 winner. The seven-year-old is trained by A.J. and Jonjo O’Neill, and maintained the successful record of British-based winners so far this week at the County Kildare venue.

Later in the afternoon, McManus completed a double when Jeriko Du Reponet (13/2 joint-favourite) won the Listed Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle for James Bowen.

The French-bred, runner-up to Doddiethegreat (14/1) at Cheltenham last month, reversed placings this time time around as the Brian Hughes-ridden runner-up completed a 1-2 for Seven Barrows.

Busselton wins La Touche

At the end of four miles one furlong and 11 yards, the Mongey Communications La Touche Cup Cross Country Chase produced a thrilling finishing.

With numerous horses in contention for the historic prize entering the home straight, the Joseph O’Brien-trained Busselton (7/1), and jockey J.J. Slevin, out-battled Desertmore House (9/1) and Ricky Doyle by three-quarters of a length to win.

Three By Two (11/1) and Richie Deegan were only a neck further back in third, with nine lengths further back to Vital Island (12/1) and rider Barry Stone.

Doubles for O’Brien and Slevin

O’Brien and Slevin completed a Thursday double with the victory of Cottesloe Sunshine (33/1) in the Listed Close Brothers Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle.

Previously successful in two hurdle races, the daughter of Getaway was a three and a half length winner this afternoon over the fast-finishing Mozzie’s Sister (9/1) and Shane Fitzgerald.

The odd-on favourite, Sixandahalf (8/13) could only manage third place, a further length and a quarter back.

The Specialist Group Handicap Hurdle went to the Ray Grehan-owned Putapoundinthejar (17/2).

The gelded son of Walk In The Park, trained in County Meath by Tony Martin, was ridden by recently crowned British Champion Jumps Jockey, Seán Bowen.

The concluding JP & M Doyle INH Flat Race went to the Noel Fehilly Racing Syndicate-owned Baron Noir at 12/1. Trained by Alan King, it ended a successful day for British-trained runners at Punchestown.

Jody McGarvey retires

Coleraine native Jody McGarvey retired from the saddle at Punchestown this afternoon.

The three-time Grade 1-winning rider finished third on his final ride aboard the J.P. McManus-owned Mirazur West (3/1 favourite) in the Frontline Security Handicap Chase.

The Derry jockey said:

“I’ve had my fair share of injuries but I got through it and was able to retire on my own terms.

“I’ve been a lot luckier than a lot of people. I didn’t really want to stop riding but the opportunities were getting thin on the ground. I wanted to go out when I felt I was still riding well and I’ve had a few winners in the last couple of weeks. I’m leaving the game without a chip on my shoulder.”

The post Doubles for O’Brien, Slevin and McManus at Punchestown appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Racing Victoria officials said yesterday that both Magic Wand and Armory would have to pass a veterinary test before participation in the Group 1 contest.

Magic Wand, fourth in the race last year before winning the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes, is out due to lameness in her off-fore leg.

It is better news for her stablemate Armory, who was also under an injury cloud, as he has been cleared to run.

Armory was third behind Magical and Ghaiyyath in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in September. He has been towards the top of the Cox Plate betting market since.

With Magic Wand now out, Joseph O’Brien’s Buckhurst will make the field.

The Lloyd Williams-owned horse was controversially made first reserve for the race earlier in the week. He will be ridden by Jamie Kah in Saturday’s feature race at Moonee Valley.

The 14-runner Group 1 is off at 6.10am Irish time on Saturday morning.

The Ladbrokes Cox Plate 2020 can be viewed live on www.racing.com.

The post Buckhurst and Armory in Cox Plate as Magic Wand ruled out appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The O’Briens alone account for 16 of the 30 internationally trained entrants for the 160^th Lexus Melbourne Cup, with 25 Group 1 winners among the entries for the AUD $8 million race.

Joseph O’Brien, who became the youngest person ever to train the winner of “the race that stops a nation” when triumphing with Rekindling in 2017, has entered seven horses, five of which are owned by top Australian owner Lloyd Williams.

The Carriganóg handler’s full list of nominations is Bolleville, Buckhurst, Degraves, Master Of Reality (second past the post last year only to be demoted to fourth following an objection), Patrick Sarsfield, Pondus, and Twilight Payment.

Numerically Aidan O’Brien accounts for most of the overseas entries, with 9 nominations. They include 2019 Investec Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck as well as the 2019 and 2020 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby victors Sovereign and Santiago. The Ballydoyle handler’s team is completed by Cormorant, Dawn Patrol, Mythical, Nobel Prize, Order Of Australia and Tiger Moth.

Ireland’s champion National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins has entered both last year’s VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner True Self and Lonsdale Cup runner-up Stratum, while former jockey and now successful trainer David O’Meara has one nomination in Eagles By Day.

English trainer Andrew Balding’s Dashing Willoughby and Fabrice Chappet’s Australian-owned San Huberto are expected to contest both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup for the first time this year. They could be joined by horses recently acquired by Australian ownership groups: the former Ger Lyons-trained Nickajack Cave, now with Peter Moody, and former Ballydoyle inmates Sir Dragonet, now trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, and Delphi, now handled by Anthony Freedman.

Australian trainer Danny O’Brien, winner of the 2019 Lexus Melbourne Cup with Vow And Declare, has entered last year’s victor as well as his leading Cup fancy Northern Hemisphere three-year-old Russian Camelot, winner of the South Australian Derby under Cork-born jockey Johnny Allen.

International stables have entered 34 horses for the 143^rd Caulfield Cup with 29 individual Group 1 winners among the 177 entries for the AUD $5.15 million Stella Artois-sponsored 2,400m race.

Aidan O’Brien has 13 entries in the Caulfield Cup including six-time Group 1 winner Magical, Japan, Magic Wand and 2019 Epsom Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck. His tranche of nominations is completed by Armory, Dawn Patrol, Mogul, Mythical, Nobel Prize, Order Of Australia, Santiago, Sovereign and Tiger Moth.

Joseph O’Brien has the same seven horses entered for the Lexus Caulfield Cup as he has for the Lexus Melbourne Cup, namely Bolleville, Buckhurst, Degraves, Master Of Reality, Patrick Sarsfield, Pondus andTwilight Payment.

The Willie Mullins pair Stratum and True Self are nominated for the Caulfield feature, as is David O’Meara’s Eagles By Day.

Danny O’Brien leads the Australian charge with a number of high-profile horses including Vow And Declare, South Australian Derby winner Russian Camelot, along with Adelaide Cup winner King of Leogrance and VRC Oaks heroine Miami Bound.

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained partnership have the most entries in both races with 19 in the Melbourne Cup and 16 in the Caulfield Cup, with Sydney Cup winner Etah James among those to feature in both, while eight of the top 10 placed horses in the 2019 Caulfield Cup have been entered for a tilt at the race again this year.

Weights for both races will be released on Tuesday, 8 September, with first acceptances for the Caulfield Cup on Tuesday, 22 September and the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, 29 September. Late entries for both races close on Thursday, 3 September.

The post Irish entries for Melbourne and Caulfield Cups appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The mare, ridden by Aidan Coleman, won by one and a half lengths from Fakir D’oudairies (3/1), with Rouge Vif (9/1) another 18 lengths back in third. The unplaced 5/2 favourite was Notebook, a stablemate of the winning mare.

De Bromhead said of Put The Kettle On, the first mare to win the Arkle since Anaglogs Daughter in 1980:

“I’m delighted, especially for the Dermody family, and Mary Dermody who is such a good owner. Aidan rode her brilliantly and said she attacked every fence, and she had the course-and-distance form from last year [she won the Grade 2 Racing Post Arkle Trial at The November Meeting] so wasn’t to be underestimated.”

2.10pm Racing Post Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

1 Put The Kettle On (One For Luck Racing Syndicate) Henry de Bromhead & Aidan Coleman 16/1

2 Fakir D’oudairies (J P McManus) Joseph O’Brien & Mark Walsh 3/1

3 Rouge Vif (Kate & Andrew Brooks) Harry Whittington & Gavin Sheehan 9/1

11 ran 5/2 fav Notebook (6th)

Distances: 1½, 18.

The post Irish 1-2 in Racing Post Arkle as Put The Kettle On beats Fakir D’oudairies appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.