Irish Derby Betting Tips

The Irish Derby is Ireland’s annual thoroughbred racing highlight. The race is also a significant betting event, and one of the few Irish Classics to receive year round antepost coverage at select online bookmakers.

The Irish Derby is a popular betting event due not only to its media profile, but also due to its position in the British and Irish flat racing season. The race forms the second leg of the Irish Triple Crown, and is run after the Epsom Oaks as well as both the Irish and English Guineas.

The mid-season scheduling of the Irish Derby means that punters are able to form a solid idea of the form and ability of the field by the time they place their bets on the Irish Derby betting markets.

Irish Derby Tips

As one of the richest races in Europe, the Irish Derby attracts winners of Europe’s biggest group 1 races. The most obvious race to watch for Irish Derby winners is the Epsom Derby. Whilst the winner of the Epsom Derby seldom goes on to win at Curragh, it is not unusual for racehorses that place in the English Classic to place in the Irish Derby.
Another race worth watching for prospective Irish Derby winners is the Derrinstown Stud Trial Derby, which has contributed a number of Irish Derby winners in the past.
Some regard the Irish 2,000 Guineas as a possible source of Irish Derby winners, as this race forms the first leg of the Irish Triple Crown.
However, whilst the press may stir up excitement if a racehorse appears set to achieve the Irish Guineas/Derby double, it’s worth keeping in mind the fact that Guineas winners very rarely go on to win the Irish Derby.
It is instead worthwhile to pick out horses with the necessary staying power to take on the 1 mile 4 furlong trip over Curragh racecourse, as the Irish Derby tends towards being a race of endurance rather than that of raw power. Speed ratings may therefore have little direct influence on the outcome of the race, particularly if the racehorse in question has focused on 7 furlong and 1 mile events.
By the middle of the season a punter should have a reasonable idea of which stables have an edge in the 3 year old age group. Backing form stables can therefore sometimes be as effective as backing form racehorses in the Irish Derby betting markets.


Ireland - Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Antepost Betting (2011) [17:10]
Carlton House	5/4	11/8
Treasure Beach	3	7/2
Seville	6	5
Native Khan	8	9
Memphis Tennessee	12	14
Roderic O'connor	10	16
Notable Graduate	14	20
Dunboyne Express	20	25