It’s Irish Derby day at the Curragh on Sunday 28th June. There’s a star-studded card at the Irish venue and the bulk of Steve Chambers’ Lucky 15 for Sunday focuses on the action across the Irish Sea.
Check out his four best bets for a mouth-watering afternoon of Classic racing.
Curragh Racing Tips (Sunday 28 June 2026)
Nine races take place during Sunday’s card at the Curragh. The Irish Derby is the feature race and is off at 4.35pm. Here are our best bets.
1.40 Curragh – Toca Madera (1pt win – )
David O’Meara’s Toca Madera rocketed to an impressive spring victory at Doncaster last time out. Now, he’s set to try and taste more success with a visit to the Rockingham Handicap at the Curragh at 1.40pm. A winner by over three lengths at Doncaster, he showed a blistering turn of pace to put the race to bed and a repeat of that effort should see him play a starring role here. A big field lines up and he will have a hefty weight to carry, but a whopping 11lbs rise may not be enough to get his head in front again.
2.45 Curragh – Far From Dandy (1pt win – )
Runner-up in the Spring Mile Handicap at Doncaster in March, Stephen Thorne’s Far From Dandy then followed that up with another second placed finish at Naas. Fourth in the Irish Lincolnshire on his last visit to the Curragh the hugely consistent performer has to be respected in the 2.45pm contest. He’s only been upped 1lb for that fine run last time out at Naas, so he could prove better than his figure of 92. Jack Kearney will take 3lbs off his back as well, which could prove vital in the closing stages.
3.55 Curragh – Alcantor (1pt win – 13/8)
A multiple Group 3 winner, Alcantor ran no sort of race when down the field in the Tattenham Corner Stakes at Epsom last time out. However, Joseph O’Brien’s five-year-old can bounce back to winning ways in the Listed Celebration Stakes at 3.55pm. He’s ran some fine races at Group level throughout his career, so a drop back into listed company should prove to be a huge positive. He needs to improve on that Epsom run, but he is the class act of the field and with the O’Brien yard firing on all cylinders then he can deliver the goods.
4.35 Curragh – Benvenuto Cellini (1pt win – 7/4)
A winner of the Chester Vase in May, Benvenuto Cellini headed to the Derby at Epsom as the one to beat. However, controversy surrounded his run in that Classic and he was eventually declared a non-runner. Having had his foot up in the stall at the off, he was deemed to have had an unfair start. But, he had completed the race and was beaten by stablemate Christmas Day fair and square. The pair do battle again, but Benvenuto Cellini can turn the tables. He showed he was the leading three-year-old middle distance performer for Ballydoyle at Chester, and if he can repeat that run then he should prove too good for his rivals at 4.35pm in the Irish Derby.
Steve Chambers’ Lucky 15 Tips – Sunday 28th June
1.40 Curragh – Toca Madera (1pt win – )
2.45 Curragh – Far From Dandy (1pt win – )
3.55 Curragh – Alcantor (1pt win – 13/8)
4.35 Curragh – Benvenuto Cellini (1pt win – 7/4)
Today’s Meetings & Start Times
- Curragh – first race 1.10pm
FAQs: Today’s Racing Tips
What are Sunday’s Lucky 15 tips?
Steve Chambers provides his Lucky 15 tips on Sunday 28th June, which includes selections at Curragh.
Who is Steve Chambers? Steve Chambers is the editor and regular tipster and writer for GG. He has over 15 years experience in the industry and has a wealth of knowledge on all things racing.
When were Sunday’s Lucky 15 tips for Curragh published?
Steve Chambers’ Lucky 15 tips for Sunday 28th June at Curragh were published at 7.40am on Saturday 27th June.
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