THERE are no plans to make any significant changes to the conditions of the Irish Derby despite a significant slide in its ranking among the world’s best races, as judged by a panel of international handicappers.

In 2021 the Irish Derby was rated the 94th best race in the world, placing it well behind the equivalent races at Epsom (14th) and Chantilly (31st). The Curragh classic fell to 130th place in 2022 and 162nd in 2023. In contrast the Prix du Jockey Club rose to ninth and 14th for those two years, while the Epsom version comfortably remained in the top 100 (93rd and 63rd).

The rankings are determined by the end-of-season official ratings for the first four finishers and this year the Irish Derby is likely to fare relatively better when the rankings are published in January.

Los Angeles and Sunway filled the first two places in the 2024 edition, the winner going on to place third in the Arc while Sunway was placed in the St Leger.

Senior flat handicapper Garry O’Gorman told The Irish Field that the end-of-season Irish Derby rating is “the second highest since 2011 exceeded only by the 2017 edition but is still below each of the seven editions held between 2005 and 2011 inclusive.”

It’s thought that the 2024 Prix du Jockey Club will have a similar rating to the Irish Derby, both classics a fair way behind Epsom which will rank strongly due to the presence of City Of Troy.

In recent years bloodstock agent Patrick Cooper has been running a one-man campaign calling for a reduction in the distance of the Irish Derby from 12 furlongs to a mile and a quarter, which he believes will make the race more attractive to overseas runners.

Asked if there are any plans to change the race conditions, Curragh Racecourse CEO Brian Kavanagh said: “We are constantly reviewing the conditions and performance of our Pattern races, especially those at Group 1 level. Any changes would require the unanimous approval of the European Pattern Committee (EPC).

“There are no plans to look at the distance of the Irish Derby. The Curragh is happy with the 12-furlong distance and we are looking forward to next year’s renewal already.”

Jonathan Mullin, HRI’s Director of Racing, confirmed that any material changes to the Irish Derby would need to be unanimously approved by the EPC.

“We have explored some new date options (moving the race either one or two weeks later) for the Irish Derby but discussions at the EPC have indicated that these date changes would not achieve the unanimous support required.

Best possible

“The Irish Flat Pattern Committee met last week and reviewed the ‘win and you’re in’ races that currently feed into the Irish Derby and that list, already extensive, will be constantly updated to ensure the Irish Derby has the best possible field.”

In 2015 the Curragh introduced the ‘win and you’re in’ initiative for the Irish Derby and this was extended in 2017. Horses who win or are placed in the Irish 2000 Guineas, Prix du Jockey Club and Epsom Derby effectively have free entry to run in the Irish Derby, along with the winners of 14 other selected races staged in the first part of the year, including the Epsom Oaks, Prix de Diane and King Edward VII Stakes.

Ambiente Friendly was supplemented for the 2024 Irish Derby at no cost having placed second at Epsom. He finished third at the Curragh.