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Ireland has its first taste of the major races for the season with the running of the Irish 2000 Guineas run at Curragh on Friday.

Aidan O'Brien has dominated the race with 11 wins. Could he do it again in the 2020 Irish 2000 Guineas (1609m) at Curragh on Friday?

2020 IRISH 2000 GUINEAS - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Irish 2000 Guineas is a Group 1 race run under Set Weight conditions for three year old colts and fillies at the Curragh conducted by the Curragh Racecourse for Horse Racing Ireland.

The Irish 2000 Guineas is run over the mile. It was first run in 1921 and was won by Soldennis.

It is the second of the Guineas races, three weeks after the English version. They often pattern on to the St James's Palace Stakes.

The Irish 2000 Guineas is run on the round course.

Many a top stallion has this on the mantelpiece. None more so than the great Sadler's Wells from 1984.

Nine horses have done the English 2000 Guineas/Irish 2000 Guineas double - Churchill in 2017 the most recent to do so.

Leading trainer is Aidan O'Brien with an amazing 11 wins. In fact he has won seven times in the last twelve years.

Most wins as a jockey are by Tommy Burns and Martin Quirke with five.

The Irish 2000 Guineas was reduced to £250,000 in 2020 due to the coronavirus.

Notable winners of the Irish 2000 Guineas include Churchill (2017), Gleneagles (2015), Kingman (2014), Canford Cliffs (2010), Mastercraftsman (2009), Henrythenavigator (2008), Cockney Rebel (2007), Dubawi (2005), Rock Of Gibraltar (2002), Desert King (1997), Spinning World (1996), Barathea (1993), Rodrigo De Triano (1992), Don't Forget Me (1987), Triptych (1985), Sadler's Wells (1984), Right Tack (1969), Santa Claus (1964) and Hard Ridden (1958).

The 2019 Irish 2000 Guineas was won by Phoenix Of Spain from Too Darn Hot and Decrypt.