Horses and sheep stop the traffic in the Curragh where final preparations are being made for the Dubai Duty Free Derby meetings this weekend

Pictured watching his string on the gallops this morning was trainer Willie McCreery. The former Kildare senior football midfielder is one of 55 horse trainers that train over 900 horses around the Curragh Racecourse

Cooling off after their gallop on the training grounds is Annie OÕReilly with her horse Funchal in trainer Willie McCreery’s yard

Grace Sinclair with her horse Obama Alexander Funchal

The 157th running of one of the most prestigious horse races in the World, The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, takes place this Saturday 25th June and is one of a number of races taking place for the big weekend festival of racing there which will see a total of €2.4m in prizemoney on offer.

This is the first time full crowds will be at the event since 2019 due to the pandemic. Irish Derby day is traditionally renowned across the nation for its glamour and style, celebrities, racing enthusiasts with free kids entertainment and fashion and millinery will be the barometer of style on Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day with many attendees putting their best foot forward in the hope of winning the covetable Dubai Duty Free ‘Most Stylish’ prize in association with The K Club composing of a return trip to for two with five nights in a five star hotel and with €1,000 in spending money as well as prizes for both male and female winners of luxury stays at the K-Club.

Brian Kavanagh, CEO of The Curragh, said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming crowds back for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival, one of the most prestigious races in the international racing calendar. We are encouraged as to how our advance ticket sales are going so far and all signs point to the festival being a resounding success.”