O’Brien to be honoured at The Curragh

The Curragh Racecourse will honour the memory of Vincent O’Brien with the inaugural running of the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes on Saturday, September 12, it was announced today.

The Group One contest, which is sponsored by Ladbrokes.com, is rated as one of the top races in the world for two-year-olds and will take place on a star-studded programme which also features The Irish Field St Leger and Irish National Stud Blandford Stakes.

Jacqueline O’Brien said: "Vincent enjoyed some of his greatest successes at the Curragh.

"The National Stakes was always a race held in high esteem by him as a target for his top two-year-olds. The family are delighted that the racecourse will honour his memory in this way and I know Vincent would have been very proud to have his name associated with this race."

O’Brien won a remarkable 27 Irish Classic races at the Co. Kildare venue including saddling the winner of the National Stakes 15 times most notably with Sir Ivor (1967), Roberto (1971), Storm Bird (1980) and El Gran Senor (1983).

A celebration of O’Brien’s life is currently being put together by the racecourse in conjunction with Horse Racing Ireland and The Irish Field, which will take place throughout the race day, including an exhibition of memorabilia open to the public and presentations to some of his closest associates.

“Vincent O’Brien was undoubtedly the most influential person in horse racing history and we are delighted to be able to put together a fitting tribute to remember his remarkable career,” said racecourse general manager Paul Hensey.