In the aftermath of the biggest multi-day meeting of the flat season, it would be reasonable to expect a dip in quality. However, the final week in June does a fine job of keeping the good times rolling for racing fans.
Carlisle and Navan light up the midweek entertainment with a pattern class double before things move up a notch at the weekend. Saturday sees the biggest race of the year from the North East track of Newcastle. Attention then turns to the Curragh on Sunday afternoon for the 2025 edition of the Irish Derby.
Wednesday 25th June: Midweek Highlights from Carlisle and Navan
Falling firmly into the smaller racecourse bracket, the picturesque track at Carlisle stages only three Listed events per year – only one of which is run on the flat. The big day at the Cumbrian venue arrives on Wednesday afternoon, with the annual edition of the Eternal Stakes.
Held over the seven-furlong trip, this £47,000 contest has attracted an intriguing list of entries in 2025. With William Buick in the saddle, Verse Of Love seems sure to prove popular for Godolphin, whilst Saqqara Sands carries the hopes of 2014 and 2021 winner Ralph Beckett. Anshoda, meanwhile, takes a drop in class, having lined up in the German 1,000 Guineas last time out.
The clear pick of the Wednesday evening fare comes from the County Kildare track of Naas, with the seven-race card headlined by the Group 3 Jannah Rose Stakes.
Next Wednesday’s @alshiraaracing @IrishEBF_ Jannah Rose Stakes (G3, €70,000) has 16 entries
Barnavara tops the ratings after her win in the @DarleyStallions @IrishEBF Kooyonga Stakes at @NavanRacecourse last time for the @Jessica_Racing yard pic.twitter.com/w3eP5g0XJc
— Naas Racecourse (@NaasRacecourse) June 19, 2025
Aidan O’Brien has claimed six of the past 10 editions of this and has Butterfly Wings and Medici Venus among the current entries. Possibly the most intriguing contender is the Frankel filly Faiyyum. Unbeaten in two starts, she represents Ger Lyons, who claimed this prize with subsequent Irish Oaks heroine Even So in 2020.
Thursday 26th – Saturday 28th June: Northumberland Plate Festival
The weekend starts early for northeast racing fans as the Northumberland Plate Festival kicks into gear on Thursday afternoon. The Seaton Delaval Handicap Stakes headlines a low-key card on Day 1, but Friday and Saturday are by far the biggest race days at the Tapeta track.
Friday evening sees the Geordie lasses don their finery for the hugely popular Ladies Day, with the Group 3 Hoppings Fillies’ Stakes taking centre stage on the track.
Moving on to Saturday, it’s time for the big one as the runners and riders line up in the £150,000 Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate Handicap. Informally known as the “Pitmen’s Derby” in reference to the region’s coal-mining heritage, the 2m½f event is among the most coveted staying handicaps of the season.
Jumps or flat, turf or all-weather – there’s no escaping that man Willie Mullins. Following an unlucky outing at Royal Ascot, Reaching High heads the Northumberland Plate market as he bids to claim the top spot for Mullins and HM The King & HM The Queen. Others to note in a competitive line-up include defending champ Onesmoothoperator and Caballo De Mar, who finished second in the Copper Horse Handicap at the Royal Meeting.
Saturday 28th – Sunday 29th June: Irish Derby Weekend
The only thing missing from an excellent racing week is a top-level Group 1 event. Happily, the ever-reliable Irish step in with not one but two over the weekend. The Saturday feature of the Pretty Polly Stakes sees a potential clash between Ralph Beckett’s Arc contender Kalpana, Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Lake Victoria, and Exactly, who enjoyed no luck in running when fourth in the French 1,000 Guineas.
A weekend of Speed, Style and Spectacle awaits! ✨
This June, the spotlight falls on the Curragh as we celebrate 160 years of racing greatness at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby – a weekend where legends are made. ⚡
Get ready for thrilling finishes , unforgettable style… pic.twitter.com/xDdogTXjLT
— The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) May 26, 2025
Excellent as the Saturday card is, the main event arrives on Sunday afternoon with the final 1m4f colt’s Classic of the season. With five wins in the past eight editions, Aidan O’Brien looks to hold the ace in the pack once again. Having blown his rivals away with a brilliant frontrunning display at Epsom, can Lambourn repeat the trick on home soil? He’s odds-on across the board but faces stiff competition in the shape of Epsom third Tennessee Stud, Dante Stakes winner Pride Of Arras, and talented stablemates Delacroix and Stay True.
