Less than a month after the British equivalent has taken place at Epsom, a field of talented three-year-old colts travels to the Curragh to battle it out in the Irish Derby. Horses who impress in that historic Classic often go on to run in the Irish Derby, so it's no surprise to see the betting dominated by horses who ran in the Epsom Derby.
Here's our free guide to the 2026 Irish Derby, including our best betting tips.
2026 Irish Derby Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Benvenuto Cellini | 7/4 |
| Raaheeb | 7/2 |
| Christmas Day | 9/2 |
| James J Braddock | 13/2 |
| Pierre Bonnard | 12/1 |
| Bar | 33/1 |
2026 Irish Derby Runners
Christmas Day ran out an impressive winner of the Derby at Epsom earlier this month, and Aidan O'Brien's star could attempt to complete the Derby double on Sunday. Benvenuto Cellini was sent off as the favourite at Epsom, but Ryan Moore's mount got its foot stuck in the stalls, was very slowly away as a result, and was deemed a non-runner.
Raaheeb impressed when winning the Classic trial at Sandown, and Owen Burrows has targeted this Classic since. James J Braddock will represent Joseph O'Brien again, after a third-place finish in the Derby at Epsom.
Epsom seventh Pierre Bonnard will also represent Ballydoyle, along with Dante Stakes runner-up Action, who finished down the field in the Derby. Richard Hannon sends over recent Gowran Park winner Bunyola Bay. Donnacha O'Brien's Shaaihan completes the line-up.
2026 Irish Derby Tips
Ryan Moore has kept the faith with Benvenuto Cellini, which tells you that the camp still feels he's their best middle-distance three-year-old. Ronan Whelan gave Christmas Day a brilliantly positive ride, but there's no doubt that the soft ground suited O'Brien's colt at Epsom, and the conditions at the Curragh will be completely different.
Soft ground was a major factor in my decision to side with James J Braddock in the Derby, and I'm not sure he'll be as effective on quicker ground. Pierre Bonnard should also have been well suited by the conditions at Epsom, so the fact he finished only seventh suggests he hasn't trained on as a three-year-old.
I'm going to side with RAAHEEB (7/2), who was cut into second favouritism for the Epsom Derby following his reappearance victory at Sandown. Owen Burrows' colt was excellent in the Classic Trial, stretching clear from a prominent position to score by just over three lengths.
Raaheeb has been in the headlines throughout his short career, due mainly to his star-studded pedigree. Burrows' rising star is a full brother to former Group One winner and stablemate Hukum, as well as one of the best milers of our generation, the brilliant Baaeed.
Burrows, however, always does things his own way and often takes the patient approach. He ignored the clamour to run Raaheeb in the Epsom Derby and identified the Irish Derby as his target just days after that Group Three success.
The form of the Sandown Classic Trial hasn't exactly been franked since, but Raaheeb looked a class above his rivals that day and shaped as though an extra two furlongs would bring about further improvement. Rossa Ryan keeps the ride, and I could see Raaheeb upsetting the Ballydoyle battalion.
Live Stream
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