A new Irish Flat schedule for pattern races published by HRI revealed changes to the Tattersalls Gold Cup.
One of several black type springtime races in Ireland saved in the revised programme, the extended 1m 2f Group 1 contest is open to three-year-olds this year.
Traditionally run in May, the Tattersalls Gold Cup now takes place at The Curragh on 26 July. The Group race programme in the Irish Flat schedule largely survives unscathed.
Among other top class spring races run on new dates are the Alleged Stakes and Vintage Crop for stayers. The former – a stepping stone to the Tattersalls Gold Cup – takes place about a month beforehand on 27 June.
The Vintage Crop, usually an Ascot Gold Cup trial, is on a Curragh card 24 hours later. That is about three weeks before the Group 2 Curragh Cup on 18 July over the same course and distance as the Irish St Leger (1m 6f).
Classic trials jumbled but juvenile races preserved
Despite HRI’s plan causing minimal disruption to the pattern as a whole, there are casualties. The need to catch up on lost time leads to a glut of black type Classic trials in the same week as the Irish Guineas.
Leopardstown hosts 7f Listed events for three-year-old colts and fillies on 9 June just three and four days before the Classics.
That same card also includes the Derrinstown Derby Trial less than three weeks prior to the Irish Derby. The Listed 1m 2f Salsabil Stakes (an Irish Oaks trial), meanwhile, is one 10 June at Navan.
There are also just 15 days between the Irish 2000 Guineas and the premier Classic in the Emerald Isle. That is about half the time between the English equivalents.
The first black type race for juveniles in Ireland takes place at The Curragh on Irish Derby day (27 June). There are two Group 2 events on Irish Oaks Weekend (18-19 July).
All in all, the the Irish Flat schedule looks remarkably similar to usual beyond mid-July.
Key dates in 2024 Irish Flat schedule
- 12 June – Irish 2000 Guineas
- 13 June – Irish 1000 Guineas
- 27 June – Irish Derby
- 28 June – Pretty Polly Stakes
- 18 July – Irish Oaks
- 26 July – Tattersalls Gold Cup
- 27 July-2 August – Galway Festival
- 9 August – Phoenix Stakes
- 12 September – Irish Champions Weekend day 1 at Leopardstown
- 13 September – Irish Champions Weekend day 2
Races run at The Curragh unless specified.
