The €1,250,000 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Gr.1) is set to be run over 2400 m. at The Curragh racecourse in County Kildare, Ireland, at 5:10 p.m. local time this Sunday, June 27th. In recent years, the race has proved to be a happy hunting ground for Aidan O'Brien who has won the last four renewals through Dylan Thomas (2006), Soldier of Fortune (2007), Frozen Fire (2008) and Fame And Glory (2009).

This year O'Brien fields a quintet, of which both Cape Blanco (Johnny Murtagh) and Jan Vermeer (James "Seamus" Heffernan) are attempting to atone for their Derby defeats. Given that Cape Blanco had beaten Epsom Derby hero Workforce in the Totesport Dante Stakes (Gr.2) in May, he ought to return to winning ways if he stays the trip.

An interesting opponent is Monterosso (Frankie Dettori), triumphant at five of his last six starts. Handled by Mark Johnston for Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the Dubawi colt is coming off a victory in the King Edward VII Stakes (Gr.2) at Royal Ascot just nine days before his planned reappearance. What's more, he has been supplemented for this race at a cost of €150,000. It's interesting to note that Monterosso defies the conventional mould of a classic horse in that he broke his maiden running on the All-Weather at Lingfield in January.

Jim Bolger clashes with his former star pupil, O'Brien, by running a pair in Puncher Clynch (by Azamour), winner of the P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes (Gr.3) in April, and the progressive Carraiglawn (by Rock Of Gibraltar).

The supporting Group 1 event of the weekend is the 2000 m. Audi Pretty Polly Stakes on Saturday, June 26th, which has drawn nine runners, with Aidan O'Brien's Remember When (by Danehill Dancer) the best supported. However, Lady O'Reilly's grey Dalakhani mare Chinese White, from the in-form stables of Dermot Weld, could well upset the applecart.

North American Update Unplaced in the Yum Brands Kentucky Derby, the Todd Pletcher-trained Devil May Care (Malibu Moon – Kelli´s Ransom, by Red Ransom) returns on Saturday in the Mother Goose Stakes (Gr.1) at Belmont Park over the more suitable distance of 1,700 m. The 2,000 m. trip of the Derby did not seem to be her cup of tea, for she ran like a non-stayer.

A pair of her stablemates in the shape of Ailalea (by Pulpit) and Katy Now (by Tiznow) are scheduled to accompany her to the post, where the trio will cross swords with Ken McPeek's Connie And Michael (by Roman Ruler) and the Canadian-trained challenger Biofuel (by Stormin Fever), from Reade Baker's yard.

Australian Update
Internationally-acclaimed rider, Kerrin McEvoy, is recuperating in hospital in Australia after a nasty fall from Skytrain, trained by Peter Snowden, at Gosford Racecourse in New South Wales on June 23rd. It appears he is set for a 3 to 4 months absence from the saddle as he has fractured a vertebra. Surgery has been ruled out but he will have to wear a back brace for an extended period. After a spell riding for Godolphin all over the world, McEvoy returned to his native land in 2008 and was doing quite well at the time of the accident. Just last month he had won the Doomben Cup (Gr.1) over 2020 m. at Brisbane astride the Danasinga gelding Metal Bender.

Japanese Update Every horse race in the world has certain conditions for eligibility for entry. Some of the more unusual of these to be found in international horse racing are those for Japan's 2200 m. Takarazuka Kinen (Gr.1) at Hanshin Racecourse. Here the majority of the runners in the field are selected by a public vote from racegoers, while the rest are selected by the quantum of prize money amassed. The race provides an opportunity for three-year-olds to meet their elders, an inter-generational test of the sort sorely missing in India!

This year a talented field containing the likes of the top filly Buena Vista (by Special Week) as also Dream Journey (by Stay Gold), Logi Universe (by Neo Universe) and Jaguar Mail (by Jungle Pocket) will face the starter for the rich prize on Sunday, June 27th. The only notable absentee will be Red Desire (by Manhattan Cafe) who bled during training – she had beaten Dubai World Cup (Gr.1) winner Gloria De Campeao in the Maktoum Challenge in the UAE last March. Notice that these runners, some of which have shown their effectiveness on the world stage and not merely in the home country, are all by Japanese-bred stallions.