Inaugurated 1895 Sponsor Darley Distance 1m 4f (2,414 metres) | Race type Flat / Thoroughbred Website Curragh | |
Location Curragh Racecourse
County Kildare, Ireland | ||
The Irish Oaks is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs (2,414 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.
Contents
It is Ireland's equivalent of the Epsom Oaks, a famous race in England.
History
The event was established in 1895, and it was originally contested over a mile. It was extended to its present length in 1915.
The field usually includes fillies which ran previously in the Epsom Oaks, and several have won both races. The first was Masaka in 1948, and the most recent was Snow Fairy in 2010.
The leading participants from the Irish Oaks sometimes go on to compete in the following month's Yorkshire Oaks. The last to achieve victory in both events was Blue Bunting in 2011.
Records
Leading jockey (6 wins):
Leading trainer (6 wins):
Leading owner since 1960 (5 wins): (includes part ownership)
Winners since 1970
a Sorbus finished first in 1978, but she was relegated to second place following a stewards' inquiry.