The Group One Juddmonte Irish Oaks takes centre stage at The Curragh on Saturday, with 11 talented three-year-old fillies set to chase Classic success over 2400 metres.
The race brings together several of the leading performers from Epsom, Royal Ascot and Chantilly, with Oaks heroine Thundering On, Ribblesdale Stakes winner Earth Shot and French Oaks placegetter Inis Mor among the headline contenders.
William Haggas is looking forward to giving Earth Shot her opportunity at the highest level following her narrow victory in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The progressive daughter of Time Test has improved with each of her four starts and showed plenty of determination to run down Johanna Walsh in the closing stages at Ascot.
Haggas believes his filly may be even more effective with some give in the ground, although conditions at The Curragh are expected to remain on the quicker side.
Haggas has previously enjoyed success in the Irish Oaks, having prepared the outstanding Sea Of Class to win the race in 2018.
Earth Shot now has the chance to follow in those footsteps after progressing rapidly this season, beginning with an impressive five-length maiden victory at Newmarket before finishing second to Inis Mor at Goodwood.
She reversed that form at Royal Ascot and remains open to further improvement over the mile-and-a-half journey.
Joseph O’Brien will saddle a powerful three-runner team headed by Thundering On, who produced an emphatic performance to win the Epsom Oaks.
The daughter of Frankel was unable to repeat that display when taking on older mares in the Pretty Polly Stakes at The Curragh, finishing fourth behind Estrange.
However, she was found to be coughing following the race and was competing on the quickest ground she had encountered during her career.
Given the authority of her Epsom victory, Thundering On remains the filly they all have to beat if she returns to her best.
O’Brien will also be represented by Johanna Walsh, who was denied by just a head in the Ribblesdale Stakes.
The lightly raced daughter of Sea The Stars has made significant progress this season and appeared to have the Royal Ascot contest won before Earth Shot caught her in the final strides.
With only four career starts behind her, Johanna Walsh has plenty of scope to improve and should once again be closely matched with her Ascot rival.
The unbeaten Rebel Moon completes the Joseph O’Brien challenge after being supplemented for the race.
A winner of both her starts, Rebel Moon stepped quickly from maiden company to land the Group Three Jannah Rose Stakes at Naas.
She still has improvement to find on official form, but she remains one of the most intriguing runners in the field and could be capable of taking another major step forward.
David Menuisier will be represented by Inis Mor, who has improved considerably since being stepped up in distance.
After finishing down the field in the 1000 Guineas, she defeated Earth Shot in Listed company at Goodwood before producing a strong effort to finish third in the French Oaks.
The additional distance at The Curragh should suit her pedigree and racing style, although she will need to settle efficiently if the race develops into a strongly run contest.
Jim Bolger’s unbeaten Sparan Nua also earns her opportunity at Group One level following victory in the Munster Oaks at Cork.
The homebred filly is three from three and has shown both a sharp turn of foot and a strong attitude during her unbeaten campaign.
Aidan O’Brien won his eighth Irish Oaks last season with Minnie Hauk and is responsible for five of the 11 remaining contenders.
His leading chance appears to be Amelia Earhart, who impressed when winning the Cheshire Oaks before disappointing as favourite at Epsom.
The daughter of Camelot appeared uncomfortable in softer conditions on that occasion and could improve significantly back on quicker ground.
She remains a talented but slightly quirky filly, with her combination of blinkers and a hood adding further interest to her preparation.
Cameo also arrives with something to prove after finishing fifth at Epsom and third in Group Three company at Naas.
Her victory in the Lingfield Oaks Trial showed she possesses ability, although a career-best performance will be required to win here.
Composing produced an improved effort when fifth behind Earth Shot in the Ribblesdale Stakes and may have finished closer after meeting interference at a crucial stage.
She appears suited by the mile-and-a-half distance but must find several lengths to trouble the leading contenders.
Sugar Island finished third in the Epsom Oaks and therefore brings proven Classic form into the race.
However, she was almost ten lengths behind Thundering On and has generally shown her strongest form on softer ground.
The final Ballydoyle runner is Beautify, who steps up to 2400 metres for the first time after finishing sixth in the Pretty Polly Stakes.
She has not won since her juvenile season but returns to racing against her own age group and is bred to appreciate the longer distance.
The Irish Oaks brings together several different form lines and provides an opportunity to determine the leading middle-distance filly of the season.
Thundering On brings the strongest individual performance through her dominant Epsom victory, but she must prove she has recovered from her recent setback.
Earth Shot and Johanna Walsh were separated by only a head at Royal Ascot and both remain open to improvement, while Inis Mor brings strong French Classic form.
The unbeaten pair Rebel Moon and Sparan Nua add further intrigue, while Aidan O’Brien’s powerful team can never be underestimated in a race he has won eight times.
With established Classic form, progressive Royal Ascot performers and several unbeaten challengers converging at The Curragh, the 2026 Juddmonte Irish Oaks shapes as one of the most competitive fillies’ contests of the European season.
By Scott Bailey – iRACE
