GAIN Equine Nutrition is delighted to continue its long-standing partnership with The Curragh Racecourse through a renewed sponsorship for the 2025 season. This collaboration will feature two of Ireland’s premier races for two-year-olds, which have been proudly supported by the brand over the years. Additionally, this year an exciting new race will be introduced to the sponsorship portfolio on Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day, further enhancing the prestige and reach of this partnership. This renewal marks the continuation of a successful collaboration that began in 2012, celebrating more than a decade of shared commitment to excellence in Irish racing.
All races are taking place during The Curragh’s most iconic race weekends:
- GAIN Marble Hill Stakes (Group 3) – Sunday, 25th May, during the Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival. This race regularly attracts some of the best two-year-olds in training and was recently won by Arizona Blaze (2024) and Givemethebeatboys (2023).
- GAIN Summer Fillies Handicap – Sunday, 29th June, on Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day, one of the highlights of the Irish flat racing season. This Premier Handicap race is open to fillies aged three years and older over 7 furlongs. The handicap system ensures a level playing field by assigning different weights to horses based on their past performances, making the race fiercely competitive and exciting.
- GAIN Railway Stakes (Group 2) – Saturday, 19th July, during Juddmonte Irish Oaks Day. Established in 1851, the Railway Stakes is one of Ireland’s most historic races. Last year’s winner, Henri Matisse, went on to claim victory at the Breeders’ Cup. He most recently won the Poule d’Essai des Poulains Group 1 in Longchamp on May 11th carrying his success at the highest level into his 3 year old racing career.
“We are excited to renew our partnership with The Curragh Racecourse, a collaboration that has thrived over the past decade,” said Philip Gilligan, Irish Country Manager, GAIN Equine Nutrition. “Supporting these prestigious races perfectly aligns with our commitment to excellence in equine nutrition. “We are particularly pleased with the introduction of the GAIN Summer Fillies Handicap race to our sponsorship, held on Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day, a highlight of the flat racing season. “We look forward to continuing this successful partnership and contributing to the future of Irish racing,” said Philip. The sponsorship offers a total prize fund of €280,000 and includes valuable incentives for participants. Most notably, the winner of the GAIN Railway Stakes will receive automatic entry into the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes, cementing the sponsorship’s standing within the racing calendar.
Leading Irish racehorse trainer Ger Lyons has highlighted the importance of a strong programme for juvenile horses, singling out the Railway Stakes and Phoenix Stakes as key milestones in the development of top-class two-year-olds.
“We were lucky enough to have a very good horse a few years ago called Siskin. He won the Marble Hill Stakes, then went on to win the Railway Stakes as a two-year-old, and followed that with a victory in the Phoenix Stakes, said Ger.
Ger Lyons, irish racehorse trainer
The Railway Stakes has always been a favourite of mine. It comes at a really opportune time in the season and serves as an excellent trial en route to the Phoenix Stakes.
“I’m very grateful to GAIN Equine Nutrition for their continued sponsorship and support of these races,”
Brian Kavanagh, CEO at The Curragh, said, “GAIN has been a valued and loyal partner of The Curragh for many years now. We greatly appreciate their continued support and work closely with them to ensure we enhance the race day experience for owners, trainers, jockeys, and stable staff during our three premier weekends.”
This strengthened partnership reinforces GAIN Equine Nutrition’s position as a key stakeholder in Irish racing and a committed supporter of the racing community.