The 2024 Irish flat racing season is drawing to a close, with the summer turning into autumn meaning that we will gradually start to see the transition back to National Hunt racing in the coming months — marking an exciting time for those who closely follow the horse racing betting markets.
It has been another thrilling flat racing campaign, with landmark victories for Ireland’s master trainer Aidan O’Brien, while the British have also enjoyed their fair share of success on the emerald isle this summer — including three Classic successes.
With that said, let’s take a look at some of the best races this season.
You Got To Me – Irish Oaks
This year’s renewal of the Irish Oaks appeared to be a wide-open affair, with Content not a firm favourite at 3/1 before the off.
The O’Brien-trained horse ran a good race in second, but the honours went to Ralph Beckett’s filly, You Got To Me.
The 15/2 shot raced in midfield for much of the one-mile and four-furlong contest but started to edge into the lead in the final furlong before running on the strongest in the closing stages under Hector Crouch.
Ryan Moore and Content tried to close in late on. However, they ran out of ground before the finish line and had to settle for second. Purple Lilly was further back in third.
Los Angeles – Irish Derby
The market couldn’t decide between Epsom Derby second and third, Ambiente Friendly and Los Angeles, in the build-up to the race.
In the end, the former went off slightly more favoured than O’Brien’s runner as the 6/4 favourite, but the Los Angeles backers had the final laugh at the Curragh.
The Coolmore three-year-old was sweating quite heavily, which many might have deemed not a good sign.
However, he started his challenge under Moore two furlongs out and stayed on to hold off a rapidly-charging Sunway with Ambiente Friendly in third, marking an incredible 16th Irish Derby success for O’Brien.
Bluestocking – Pretty Polly Stakes
Another big race win for Beckett in Ireland this summer, Bluestocking impressed in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes back in June.
Off the back of a six-length victory over Free Wind in Group 2 Middleton Fillies’ Stakes at York, the Juddmonte four-year-old was well-backed to win at the Curragh.
She faced competition from fan favourite Emily Upjohn, who went clear over a furlong out and looked destined for another big win.
However, the John & Thady Gosden-trained filly idled in the closing stages, and Bluestocking went past in the final 100 metres to win by half-a-length.
Babouche – Phoenix Stakes
A very exciting juvenile unleashed by Juddmonte and Irish handler Ger Lyons this summer, Babouche has gone unbeaten in her three starts to date — steadily progressing up the ranks.
Her most recent victory in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh was arguably her most impressive win thus far, though — beating Whistlejacket to the Group 1 success.
Babouche raced calmy in third for the opening stages of the six-furlong contest, making smooth headway toward the front a furlong out before being shaken up and running on to score under Colin Keane.
The Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket looks set to be her final appearance of the season, and a win there would likely see her return to HQ for the 1000 Guineas next May.
