There are thousands of horse races in Britain and Ireland each year. However, only 10 fall into the prestigious Classic category. Given that scarcity, these contests generate more than their fair share of hype.
The 2025 editions of the British and Irish St Legers are still to come, but next week sees the final fillies-only Classic of the season. As ever, County Kildare sets the stage for the Irish Oaks as a talented field of three-year-olds head to the Curragh.
The Irish Oaks takes centre stage in a week featuring a jumping highlight, a distinctive sprint contest, and Derby Day at Epsom.
Thursday 17th July – Meld Stakes Outclasses Epsom Derby
Following a low-key Monday and Tuesday, Killarney ups the ante with the Listed Cairn Rouge Stakes on Wednesday evening. Less than 24 hours later, the first Group-class contest of the week takes place at Leopardstown.
Open to runners aged three years and older, the Group 3 Meld Stakes presents a fascinating clash of the generations. Unusually for an Irish Group contest, Aidan O’Brien sits three behind the leaders in the all-time trainers’ table. Guineas disappointment Expanded and the impeccably bred Officer are among the Ballydoyle entries in 2025.
Moving onto British shores, the female amateur riders take to the stage at Epsom over the most famous 1m4f course in the world.
Friday 18th July – Hamilton Highlights
With the Irish Oaks edging closer, Hamilton Racecourse serves up one of the better Friday evening cards of the year. The sprint handicappers get their chance to shine in the Scottish Sprint Cup ahead of the Listed Glasgow Stakes.
Formerly held at York, subsequent Epsom Derby hero Commander In Chief topped the list of Glasgow Stakes winners on the Knavesmire. Since the switch to Hamilton in 2006, the prize has fallen to future Group 1 stars Postponed, Defoe, and Subjectivist.
Saturday 19th July – Super Sprinters on Show at Newbury
The weekend action in Britain can’t quite match the Group 1 standard of the Emerald Isle. Nevertheless, there is much to look forward to on an eclectic Saturday afternoon. Highlights include:
- Super Sprint Day at Newbury – The £250,000 Weatherbys Super Sprint tops a cracking card from Newbury. Pounds paid determine pounds carried in this distinctive handicap – the higher the purchase price, the higher the weight. With the Listed Steventon Stakes and Group 3 Hackwood Stakes on the undercard, Newbury is sure to feature prominently on the ITV Racing menu
- Summer Jumping at Market Rasen – Whilst not able to match the Super Sprint prize money, the £100,000 on offer in the Summer Plate makes it the most valuable British jumps race of the summer months
- Listed Fare from HQ – Seven days after the July Cup, Newmarket provides another Saturday highlight in the shape of the Listed Aphrodite Stakes. Open to fillies and mares aged three and older, the unbeaten Catchascatchcan and multiple Group 1 winner Dar Re Mi feature on the roll of honour
Saturday 19 – Sunday 20th July: Classic Weekend at the Curragh
The speedsters set the Group race ball rolling on Saturday afternoon with the six-furlong GAIN Railway Stakes, followed by the Sapphire Stakes over a fast and furious five furlongs.
With the sprinting out of the way, class and stamina are the order of the day in the €600,000 Irish Oaks. Aidan O’Brien is already the most successful trainer in Irish Oaks history and holds an excellent chance of improving his tally in 2025.
English Oaks heroine Minnie Hauk leads the Ballydoyle charge. Too good for Whirl at Epsom, that form received a significant boost when Whirl mastered Kalpana in the Pretty Polly Stakes. Main market rivals Bedtime Story and Catalina Delcarpio have doubts in the stamina department, whilst Wemightakedlongway and Desert Flower finished behind Minnie Hauk at Epsom.
The Curragh Cup completes the Group-class menu on Saturday afternoon, with Ascot Gold Cup runner-up Illinois and Hardwicke Stakes second Al Riffa among the current entries. Moving onto Sunday, the meeting finishes in style with the Group 3 Meadow Court Stakes for fillies and mares and the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes over seven furlongs.
