Weekend Winners - Irish Guineas Weekend

It’s Irish Guineas weekend, and the Classic crop of 2026 is back in action, looking to establish themselves as the standout colts and fillies of their generation. The Curragh once again takes centre stage for one of the biggest weekends in the Irish Flat calendar, with plenty of fascinating clashes set to unfold across both days. Aidan O’Brien is, as expected, extremely strong-handed in both renewals and looks to hold leading claims throughout the weekend, but will Ballydoyle dominate the Classics once again, or could there be a surprise in store? Here are my thoughts on how it all may unfold, along with a few others to keep an eye on over the bank holiday weekend…

Saturday

2.58 Haydock - William Hill Sandy Lane Stakes (Group 2)

VENETIAN SUN disappointed in the Guineas earlier this month and steps back into sprinting for the first time since her victory in the Group 1 Prix Morny, beating Gstaad and Wise Approach in the process. That form, in my opinion, is far superior to anything else in this, and I would be surprised to see her lose her unbeaten record at six furlongs. Division made a pleasing return to action at Ascot when finishing half a length behind Coppull, who is also in here. The former reared as they came out of the stalls, and that may give connections hope they can reverse the form with Coppull, but both will need to improve drastically if Venetian Sun puts her best foot forward. Of the others, Sean Levey gets the ride for the first time on Brussels, who represents Ballydoyle. He disappointed in the same race as Division and Coppull, but is definitely worth considering given his form as a juvenile.

3.15 York - William Hill Bronte Cup Fillies’ Stakes (Group 3)

Danielle represents the bang in form John and Thady Gosden partnership and, on paper, is by far the class act here. She makes her seasonal reappearance following a good campaign in 2025, rounded off with a superb victory at Doncaster. However, I think she may be better seen after this run, and Ed Walker’s MISS ALPILLES could catch her out on fitness, having run a credible race behind Sweet William and Caballo De Mar at Ascot last time out. Walker won this race last year with Scenic, so he gets the nod to go back-to-back.

3.30 Haydock - William Hill Temple Stakes (Group 2)

The sprints at Haydock can be won or lost at the start and, as has been the case for a while, it pays well to have a handy draw. Shagraan is a very progressive horse for Clive Cox, and since his win in the Beverley Bullet, he hasn’t stopped running well. However, I find it hard to imagine he will turn the tables with Night Raider, who looked like a different horse when winning at Newmarket last time out. Karl Burke’s runner was out like a flash and was not for catching, and will almost certainly try to do the same thing again here. However, JM JUNGLE is a horse I have liked for quite some time, and he shaped as if he would come on for the run at Newmarket by a considerable amount. He knows his way around Haydock and enjoyed a great season last year, so I will chance him at a big price.

3.40 Curragh - Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas (Group 1)

In another world, GSTAAD would have been an incredible winner of the English 2,000 Guineas, but he bumped into Bow Echo, who swooped up the middle of the track and scorched away from his rivals, with the pair pulling a fair way clear of the third. A repeat of that run, or anywhere near that level of performance, would see him win, and I expect that to be the case given further improvement in his fitness. Karl Burke’s Alparslan could be the biggest threat following his victory in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury last month. He is already a winner at the Curragh, so he knows what is required around here, and I fancy him to outrun his odds ahead of both Distant Storm and Thesecretadversary, who have work to do to turn the tables on Gstaad.

Sunday

3.55 Curragh - Tattersalls Gold Cup (Group 1)

MINNIE HAUK showed she still has the groove when winning the Mooresbridge Stakes here at the start of the month. Although the form is nothing to shout home about, she had a fantastic season in 2025, including finishing second in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe behind Breeders’ Cup winner Daryz. I would imagine she will step forward by a considerable amount following her seasonal reappearance and will land the honours. Her biggest danger looks to be Almaqam, who is no mug and will be keen to rectify 2025, where he had a somewhat troubled season. He is certainly worth his place in this company and could run well on seasonal reappearance for Ed Walker. Saddaadd and Bay City Roller are two with chances, but preference would be with the former, given he will appreciate the ground much more than the latter, who is certainly best seen on softer ground.

4.30 Curragh - Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas (Group 1)

TRUE LOVE looked a class act when landing the Betfred 1000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier this month, and it is hard to see past Aidan O’Brien’s filly following up at the Curragh on Sunday. Although there were plenty questioning whether she would truly see out the mile beforehand, she answered that in emphatic fashion under Wayne Lordan, putting the race to bed nicely late on with stablemate Precise only managing seventh despite going off favourite. I would imagine Precise is much better than what she showed at Newmarket, and Ryan Moore taking over certainly catches the eye, while Charlie Appleby’s Abashiri is another with strong claims following a huge run in fifth on just her second career start. Fred Darling winner Sukanya also deserves plenty of respect for Jack Channon, and Drop Dead Gorgeous adds further strength in depth for Ballydoyle, but preference would still be with TRUE LOVE, who looked every inch a genuine Classic filly at Newmarket and could take plenty of beating once again.