The Curragh ground has eased to good after overnight rain and watering ahead of today’s 1.25 million euro Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. The updated going is a fresh race-day variable for the 4.35pm Classic, with Ryan Moore’s Benvenuto Cellini still heading the market before his rematch with Epsom winner Christmas Day and UK challenger Raaheeb.
The field is set for the 2026 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. Eight contenders will line up on Sunday to battle for Classic glory in Ireland’s greatest race.
— The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) June 26, 2026
The County Kildare track had 2mm of overnight rain and watering was also applied before the nine-race card, which begins at 1.10pm. Five yards of fresh ground will be available, with the forecast dry, sunny and breezy and temperatures around 18C.
That leaves a truer surface than the fast-ground scenario some connections had been anticipating earlier in the week, but still well away from the testing conditions that shaped parts of the Epsom Derby narrative.
Irish Derby contenders face altered Curragh test
Benvenuto Cellini has eased to a general 15/8, according to IrishRacing.com’s Curragh going update, while Raaheeb is quoted as a solid 9/4 second favourite and Christmas Day remains popular at around 7/2.
The going change matters because this Irish Derby has already been framed around unfinished business. Benvenuto Cellini was unable to show his full hand at Epsom, Christmas Day brings the Classic form, and Raaheeb arrives as the British colt with least to prove on a fair surface. By late afternoon, the Curragh should offer exactly that.
