Curragh Tips Sunday: Irish Derby Predictions (2026)

The climax of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Meeting unfolds on Sunday, culminating in the prestigious Derby Day and William Hill News look at all eight declared runners for the big race.

This is the pinnacle of the event, where the most anticipated race – the iconic Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby is run in front of a captivated crowd.

• Irish Derby Selection: BENVENUTO CELLINI @ 6/4 (WIN)

Our horse racing expert Steven Mullington gives us a runner-by-runner guide to this year’s renewal:

ACTION

Action is a close relative to last year’s Irish Derby hero, Lambourn, and the faster, drying ground at the Curragh could see him vastly outrun his long odds.

Before his disappointing 12th-place finish in the Epsom Derby, he finished a close second to Item in the Dante Stakes, so the potential is definitely there.

BENVENUTO CELLINI

Aidan O’Brien reports that the horse bounced out of Epsom in fantastic form despite the mishap at the start.

The Frankel colt scored a highly impressive victory in the Chester Vase in May, effortlessly staying the 1m4f trip with ease, making him a massive contender here.

BUNYOLA BAY

Dominated from the front to win the €200,000 Gowran Classic in early June, then bypassed Royal Ascot entirely to target this race.

The biggest question mark for Bunyola Bay is the 1m4f trip and will he see it out?

CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas Day is the second-favourite in our horse racing betting, and attempts to complete the prestigious English-Irish Derby double.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained son of Camelot holds the highest official rating in the field at 118.

JAMES J BRADDOCK

Trained by Joseph O’Brien, the son of Zarak heads to the Curragh on the back of a highly commendable third placing in the Epsom Derby.

If he can learn to settle a bit better in the prelims, then he holds a solid chance.

PIERRE BONNARD

Following a spectacular victory in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud in France last autumn, Pierre Bonnard went into the winter as the ante-post favourite for the Derby in our sports betting market.

He possesses plenty of raw talent but his three-year-old season has stalled thus far.

RAAHEEB

This son of Sea The Stars is a full-brother to two top class Group 1 champions: the legendary Baaeed and the middle-distance power horse Hukum.

He made his three-year-old return in the Group 3 Classic Trial at Sandown in April, where he exploded clear in the latter stages under Rossa Ryan to win comfortably.

He arrives here fresh after missing out on the mud of Epsom.

SHAIHAAN

Trained by Donnacha O’Brien for Al Shaqab Racing, the colt takes a huge step up in class and will need to put in a lifetime best to trouble the principles.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*