Irish Oaks 2024 tips and race previews
It’s set to be a ‘Classic’ afternoon of racing over in Ireland on Saturday, with the Irish Oaks taking centre stage at the Curragh.
The Group 1 contest is Ireland’s answer to the Epsom Oaks and gives the three-year-old fillies the chance to establish themselves as the best of their generation.
There have been some top-class winners of the race in recent years, including the great Enable (2017) and you never know, we could see another superstar at the weekend.
The man to monitor (as always) is the master of Ballydoyle Aidan O’Brien, who has won the race a record seven times and is responsible for the current favourite Port Fairy (3-1).
The race has an open feel to it however and with so much to analyse and digest, I’ve taken a look at the very best Irish Oaks free bets, betting sites and tips and listed everything you could possibly need below in this handy guide.
Irish Oaks Day 2024 race schedule
As you’d expect for a Group 1 afternoon, there is plenty of depth and quality across Saturday’s eight-race card at the Curragh, with no less than three Group races scheduled. I have listed the full details of each race for you below.
| Time | Race | Distance | Type |
| 13.30 | Juddmonte Chaldean Irish EBF Maiden | 7f | Maiden |
| 14.00 | Barberstown Castle Sprint Nursery Handicap | 6f | Handicap |
| 14.35 | David Power Memorial Premier Handicap | 6½f | Handicap |
| 15.05 | Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes | 5f | Group 2 |
| 15.40 | Juddmonte Irish Oaks | 1m4f | Group 1 |
| 16.15 | Comer Group International Curragh Cup | 1m6f | Group 2 |
| 16.50 | Businessplus.ie Handicap | 1m2f | Handicap |
| 17.25 | Le Celia.Wines Irish EBF Fillies Maiden | 7f | Maiden |
Irish Oaks 2024 tips and predictions
The Irish Oaks is a key race in the Irish Flat season, as the fillies battle it out to establish themselves as the very best of their generation. The supporting card is an excellent one and I have picked out the best bet in every race for you below.
2024 Irish Oaks tips
An open-looking renewal of the big race, in which stamina could come into play in the closing stages. With that in mind, it could be worth siding with the British raider War Chimes, who makes plenty of appeal at the prices.
The daughter of Summer Front has plenty of stamina in her pedigree and she relished the step up to a mile and a half when producing a career best performance to finish third in the Epsom Derby at May.
She did her best work in the closing stages that day and there’s a feeling that she has more improvement in her over this trip, particularly if the Ballydoyle tactics centre around getting the best out of the stamina-laden favourite Port Fairy. War Chimes will arrive here fit having missed Royal Ascot in favour of this and at trading at around the 8/1 mark at the time of writing, it looks worth siding with her each-way in the big race.
🏇 Back War Chimes each-way at 8/1 with Betfred 🏇
2024 Irish Oaks prize money
The Irish Oaks is one of the most prestigious races of the entire Flat season in Ireland and the Group 1 contest offers a total prize pot of €500,000.
The complete prize money breakdown for the 2024 July Cup Newmarket is as follows:
- 1st €285,000
- 2nd €95,000
- 3rd €45,000
- 4th €20,000
- 5th €10,000
- 6th €5,000
- 7th €0
- 8th €0
2024 Irish Oaks jockey overview
A good starting point when studying for the Irish Oaks is to look at the history books and identify jockeys who have won the race before.
Big race experience can be a big factor when riding in a Group 1 race and of the 14 riders due to take part on Saturday, just two have been successful in the past. I’ve listed all of the details of jockeys who have previously won the July Cup for you below.
- Ryan Moore (Port Fairy) – 3 wins on Snow Fairy in 2010, Snowfall in 2021 and Savethelastdance in 2023
- Colin Keane (Even So) – 1 win on Caught U Looking in 2020
- James Doyle (Lope De Lilas) – 1 win on Sea Of Class in 2018
- Seamie Heffernan (War Chimes) – 1 win on Seventh Heaven in 2016
2024 Irish Oaks trainer overview
Identifying yards who have a good record in the big race can be a useful starting point for studying for this year’s renewal.
If you are someone who studies history, there is one man who stands out in the Irish Oaks record books, the all-conquering Aidan O’Brien.
The master of Ballydoyle has won the race a record seven times and you can find the details of yards who are aiming for another Irish Oaks victory below.
Aidan O’Brien
- Seven winners: Alexandrova (2006), Peeping Fawn (2007), Moonstone (2008), Bracelet (2014), Seventh Heaven (2016), Snowfall (2021) and Savethelastdance (2023)
- Six runners: Port Fairy (3-1), Content (6-1) and Rubies Are Red (40-1)
Dermot Weld
- Two winners: Blue Wind (1981) and Dance Design (1996)
- One runner: Elizabeth Jane (66-1)
Ger Lyons
- One winner: Even So (2020)
- One runner: Madam Celeste (100-1)
Irish Oaks previous winners
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Age |
| 2023 | Savethelastdance | Ryan Moore | Aidan O’Brien | 3 |
| 2022 | Magical Lagoon | Shane Foley | Jessica Harrington | 3 |
| 2021 | Snowfall | Ryan Moore | Aidan O’Brien | 3 |
| 2020 | Even So | Colin Keane | Ger Lyons | 3 |
| 2019 | Star Catcher | Frankie Dettori | John Gosden | 3 |
| 2018 | Sea Of Class | James Doyle | William Haggas | 3 |
| 2017 | Enable | Frankie Dettori | John Gosden | 3 |
| 2016 | Seventh Heaven | Seamie Heffernan | Aidan O’Brien | 3 |
Juddmonte Chaldean Irish EBF Maiden tips
I open the card with a tricky-looking maiden for the colts and geldings, in which five of the 12-strong field make their debuts. It’s tough to have too strong of an opinion without the benefit of market clues at the time of writing, but it would be a surprise if Currawood didn’t go close.
The son of Acclamation made an excellent start to his career when third on debut over course and distance last month, when not knocked about behind a more experienced rival. With that run now under his belt, he’s fancied to take this ordinary-looking maiden.
🏇 Bet on Currawood with bet365 🏇
Barberstown Castle Sprint Nursery Handicap tips
Another race where market clues will be helpful, but in which Rudi’s Apple catches the eye at the time of writing. Joseph O’Brien’s charge has yet to get his nose in front in three starts, but he’s getting closer, building on an excellent sixth at Royal Ascot when second at Fairyhouse last time out (Snapdragon fourth, In The Minus eighth).
He has to give away weight to the field on the back of a fairly quick turnaround here, but it wouldn’t be a shock if a repeat bid was enough to take this.
🏇 Bet on Rudi’s Apple at talkSPORT BET 🏇
David Power Memorial Premier Handicap tips
A hugely competitive handicap over seven furlongs, in which Hurricane Ivor is fancied to strike once again. The seven-year-old is hugely likeable, winning seven times from 33 starts, and he showed an excellent attitude to make all over half a furlong here back in May. He’s been raised 6lbs for that here, but he’s won off higher marks in the past and given time to recover, he’s fancied to take this at around 10-1 at the time of writing.
🏇 Bet on Hurricane Ivor with VBET 🏇
Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes tips
A fast and furious Group 2 sprint contest, in which the British raider Makarova looks the way to go. The five-year-old arrives here in fine form, having produced arguably a career best effort to win a Group 3 contest at Sandown last month. She’s about as consistent a performer as it gets and she’s fancied to build on that by taking advantage of what looks a good opportunity at Group 2 level.
🏇 Bet on Makarova with Sky Bet 🏇
Comer Group International Curragh Cup tips
A Group 2 contest for the stayers which is often won by horses who go on to bigger and better things. Vauban very much has the Melbourne Cup on his agenda and he’s fancied to warm up for his journey to Australia by taking this. Willie Mullins’ charge has been holding his form in better races than this and he rates as a confident selection.
Businessplus.ie Handicap tips
Siege Of Troy got off the mark at the third time of asking in nice style over course and distance last month and she’s fancied to kick on by completing a double here. The daughter of Siyouni has a combination of a nice pedigree and a host of attractive entries on her ledger and it would be no surprise if she kicked on in the second half of the season for her shrewd connections.
🏇 Bet on Siege Of Troy with bet365 🏇
La Celia Wines Irish EBF Fillies Maiden tips
I close the card with a tricky maiden for the fillies over seven furlongs, in which market clues will be a big help. Without those at the time of writing, it could be worth siding with the debutant Pulling Gravitee. The daughter of Kingman has a lovely pedigree as a half-sister to a Listed winner from the same connections and it would be no surprise should she be good enough to take this on debut – particularly if the market speaks in her favour.
🏇 Bet on Pulling Gravitee at talkSPORT BET 🏇
About the 2024 Irish Oaks at Curragh
As the name might suggest, the Irish Oaks is Ireland’s answer to the Epsom Oaks and is a ‘Classic’ race for three-year-old fillies over a mile and a half.
Held traditionally in the middle of July, the race in run at The Curragh Racecourse in County Kildare. The race has more than a century of history, having been established all the way back in 1895, with the distance being extended to its current length in 1915.
Like with the Irish Derby and its Epsom equivalent, plenty of horses have attempted to complete the Anglo-Irish Oaks double over the years, with the most recent filly to do it being the Aidan O’Brien-trained Snowfall in 2021.
The Irish Oaks is a key race in the Irish Flat season and has plenty of implications for the breeding industry, with a good run in the Group 1 contest likely to lead to a lucrative career in the breeding sheds upon retirement.
It perhaps won’t be too much of a surprise to learn that the most successful trainer in the history of the Irish Oaks is the all-conquering Aidan O’Brien, who has won the race seven times.
How to bet on the 2024 Irish Oaks at Curragh
Betting on the Irish Oaks can seem daunting if you’re not a regular horse racing punter, particularly as this race is taking place outside of the UK.
It is a very simple process however and to help you out, I’ve put together this step-by-step guide to betting on the big race at the Curragh on Saturday afternoon.
- Log into your betting account, if you do not have one, you can find plenty of suggestions and free bet offers in this article.
- If you need to set up a betting account, find a sign up offer that suits you and navigate to the registration page on the betting website.
- Once you are logged in, navigate to the racing taking place at Curragh on Saturday 20th July 2024 and find the 3.40pm race.
- You now need to pick a horse to bet on. You can either follow the tips in this article or you can view the racing form for free on your betting site.
- Once you have picked out a horse, add them to your betting slip by clicking on the odds displayed next to their name.
- You should be able to see the horse in your betslip. Input your stake.
- Once you are happy with everything, click on ‘place bets’. Good luck!
How to watch the 2024 Irish Oaks at Curragh
ITV Racing are yet to reveal whether they will be screening the 2024 Irish Oaks at the Curragh, though it seems likely that they will add the race to their schedule.
If you are based in Ireland, you can watch the race live on RTE2, while British and Irish viewers will be able to see the race live on Racing TV. Meanwhile, the vast majority of high street bookmakers offer live streams of every British and Irish race on site.
FAQ about tips and previews on the 2024 Irish Oaks at Curragh
The Irish Oaks is one of the most prestigious races of the entire Flat season over in Ireland, as the three-year-old fillies take centre stage.
It’s a race which will get national coverage in Ireland on RTE and it’s likely that there will be people who are watching the racing for the first time.
With that in mind, I have answered three of the most frequently asked questions about betting on the horse racing on fast withdrawal websites.
1. Which bookmakers are offering the best promotions or bonuses for the 2024 Irish Oaks at Curragh?
There are some excellent free bet offers for the 2024 Irish Oaks on the market, regardless of which site you choose. With that in mind, it is best to look for a website that will best suit your needs, rather than the absolute stand out offer. You can find a host of suggestions in this article above.
2. What's the best way for beginners to use the 2024 Irish Oaks tips for betting?
Betting on horse racing can seem daunting if you’re new to the sport, but it doesn’t take long to get familiar with it. A solid piece of advice for beginners is to simply consume as much of the sport as physically possible, as you will pick it up quicker. In the meantime, you can view expert tips on the 2024 Irish Oaks in this article.
3. Is the Irish Oaks the biggest race of the year?
The Irish Oaks is one of the Irish ‘Classic’ races and has big implications for both the racing season as well as the breeding industry. With a healthy crowd expected at the Curragh, it’s likely that you won’t struggle people who will nominate this race as one of their favourites.
About the author
Nick Seddon
A sports journalist with more than a decade of experience, Nick has covered some of the biggest events in sport, from the Grand National and the Epsom Derby in horse racing to Walsall against Wigan Athletic in League One.
Follow Nick on X: @nickseddon_
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