President Higgins and his wife Sabina© Photo Healy Racing
The Curragh racecourse has announced that President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina have accepted an invitation to be the guests of honour at the Darley Irish Oaks which takes place at the racecourse on Sunday 22nd July.
The President will make the presentation of trophies to the winning connections of the Darley Irish Oaks following the running of the feature race at 3.15pm.
Likely contenders for the Group One fillies Classic include Epsom Oaks heroine Was. She is one of 15 fillies still left in the race for her trainer Aidan O’Brien, who is chasing his sixth Classic in Ireland and Britain this season.
O'Brien is bidding to land his third Darley Irish Oaks following on from the successes of Alexandrova and Peeping Fawn.
The Fugue and Shirocco Star chased Was home at Epsom and both fillies are likely to reoppose on Sunday week.
Ribblesdale Stakes winner Princess Highway will represent Dermot Weld and owners Moyglare Stud, who combined to win this race in 1996 with Dance Design.
Impressive Haydock scorer Great Heavens is being seriously considered for the race by trainer John Gosden, although she will have to be supplemented by 12 noon on Tuesday, 17th July.
In total there are 19 British-trained raiders left in the 400,000 euro race, while there are four from France.
