Rachael Blackmore secures first Irish Derby ride in biggest field since 1977

Having claimed some of jumping's most prestigious prizes, Rachael Blackmore will compete on Irish Flat racing's biggest stage this Saturday after being confirmed to ride Emmet Mullins' King Of The Throne in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

Thursday's declarations featured a team of six from Aidan O'Brien for the Curragh highlight, and Blackmore's name alongside the maiden King Of The Throne, a general 50-1 shot. The leading jump jockey is set to be come the third female to ride in an Irish Classic after Joanna Morgan and Ana O'Brien.

Blackmore landed her first Flat stakes success aboard Mullins' Oriental Eagle in the Listed Martin Molony Stakes at Limerick last week, and will partner last year's Vertem Futurity Trophy sixth, who was just edged out in a Curragh maiden this month.

Irish Derby field and betting

"It's a fantastic opportunity," she said. "It's very cool to be riding in an Irish Derby and I'm delighted to be riding for Emmet."

The final field of 15 runners is the biggest since The Minstrel won the race in 1977.

Group 3 Gallinule Stakes scorer Crossfirehurricane has been allowed to take his chance despite stamina doubts and US-based owner-breeder Scott Heider is relishing the chance to watch his unbeaten star in action from home.

Crossfirehurricane: priced up as a general 6-1 chance for the Dubai Duty Free Irish DerbyCredit: Patrick McCann

Heider sells most of his colts but decided to keep the exciting son of Kitten's Joy with Joseph O'Brien. Speaking on a webinar building up to the Classic, he said: "The colt is doing great. Over the years, I've read and listened to Aidan [O'Brien] talk about the good Galileos and the courage, willpower and desire they have.

"Over here [in America], those of us who are associated with Kitten's Joy see the good horses by him will run through a brick wall. I suspect in both cases that's coming from Sadler's Wells."

Heider was effusive in his praise for O'Brien and Horse Racing Ireland in how they have helped him enjoy his Irish ownership pursuits from abroad.

Scott Heider: 'When Crossfirehurricane won our first Group race in Ireland, I'm not too proud to tell you I had more than a few tears in my eyes'Credit: Patrick McCann

He explained: "For somebody like me in the States, even if I can't be there, there's a lot of people in the industry in Ireland who are really making this a good experience for me being so far away.

"When Crossfirehurricane won our first Group race in Ireland, I'm not too proud to tell you I had more than a few tears in my eyes. This is why we do it. To do it with people that you know and respect, and to do it in Ireland with all that heritage, is off the chart for me."

The race's global appeal has been boosted with the news that Fox Sports in America will show live coverage of the race for the first time, as will the Green Channel in Japan.

The heavy rain that had been forecast for the Curragh is now set to be much less than originally anticipated and selective watering is taking place on ground described as good on the straight course and good, good-to-firm in places on the round track.

Final declared field for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby

1 Arthur's Kingdom
2 Chiricahua
3 Crossfirehurricane
4 Dawn Patrol
5 Fiscal Rules
6 Galileo Chrome
7 Gold Maze
8 Iberia
9 King Of The Throne
10 Order Of Australia
11 Santiago
12 Sherpa
13 Sunchart
14 Tiger Moth
15 New York Girl

For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app