As summer slips gently by racing goes into overdrive as a trio of top class festival’s begins. Irish Champions Weekend , Arc weekend in Paris and Champions Day at Ascot all but bring Europe’s pattern season to a close.
The inaugural Irish champions weekend comes with a real punch of quality. Ten Group races including five Group 1’s. A veritable feast of racing. €2.9 m of prize money up for grabs.
On Saturday at Leopardstown
Kilternan Stakes (G3) over 10 f for 3 yo and up Open. €100,000
Golden Fleece (G3) over 8 f for 2 yo Open. €100,000
Solonaway Stakes (G2) over 8 f for 3 yo and up Open. €200,000
Matron Stakes (G1) over 8 f for 3 yo and up Fillies & Mares. €300,000
Champion Stakes (G1) over 10 f for 3 yo and up Open. €1,000,000
On Sunday at the Curragh
Blandford Stakes (G2) over a 10 f for 3 yo and up Fillies & Mares. €200,000
Flying Five (G2) over 5 f for 3 yo and up Open. €100,000
The National (G1) over 7 f for 2 yo Colts & Fillies. €300,000
Moyglare Stakes (G1) over 7 f for 2 yo Fillies. €300,000
The St Leger Stakes (G1) over 14 f for 3 yo and up Open. €300,000
Last year that we saw Australia take first taste of superstardom when he had 6 L to spare over Free Eagle in the Golden Fleece. He’s back again this time for the main event The Irish Champion Stakes. As you’d expect plenty of other stars will be on show Leading Light, Chiquita, Tapestry, Encke, Marrek, Gordon Lord Byron to name but a few.
It’s a weekend that cover’s all angles, top class older horses, the best of the classic generation and the establishment of the top juveniles. Sprinting, middle distances and stayers all catered for.
And the good news if further were needed, good fast ground with the sun shining to boot.
What a weekend it promises to be.
Recommendation : Be There