September 12, 2026
Aidan O’Brien’s is on target to break his Group 1 record established in 2017. He’s had 15 Group 1 winners so far this year, one more than he had at the same stage in 2017.
That year, August was quiet; he won the Phoenix Stakes, then had no Group 1 winners until this weekend. This year his last G1 winner was the Phoenix. In 2017, over this weekend he won the Matron, Moyglare and both St Legers.
This is a class weekend of action that begins at Leopardstown with three Group 1s on the card, the highlight being the 1m2f Irish Champion Stakes open to three-year-olds and up. We also have the Matron Stakes over 1m for Fillies and Mares plus the new Golden Fleece over 1m1f for two-year-olds.
We’ll concentrate on the newest G1 on the Irish calendar, the Golden Fleece Stakes where nine go to post, with Ballydoyle responsible for four, Owning Hill run three, Fozzy Stack has one, and a pair travel from England, from the Charlie Johnston and Charlie Appleby yards.
The Ballydoyle Team
Darkness Falls heads the market at 6/4 under Ryan Moore. Twice raced, he improved from a first-time-out third to a going-away 7L winner on his second racecourse start, both over a mile.
Shakespeare also represents Aidan O’Brien with Pierre-Charles Boudot booked; three runs, third over 7f. Second over 1m and a winner over 7f.
Aix la Chapelle, the mount of Christophe Soumillon, won his Maiden first time out over 7f and then finished third in the G3 Tyros Stakes.
Victory Speech, the mount of Gavin Ryan, won his Maiden on his second attempt, beating Joseph O’Brien’s Zarak Pasha.
The Owning Hill Team
Joseph O’Brien is triple-handed.
As well as Zarak Pasha, the mount of Declan McDonagh, he also has Green Dreamer, the mount of Joey Sheridan; both will wear the double green of Isaac Souede and Simon Munir.
Green Dreamer is the more fancied of the two; thrice raced, he won his Maiden over 1m, beating Shakespeare. He stepped into G2 company, running third in the Futurity Stakes over 7f.
Jesus Green is the other Owning Hill representative. He’s only had one run, finishing second in a Maiden to Wall Street. He’s the mount of Colin Keane.
The Others
Fozzy Stack sends Nola Soul from Golden. He won a Maiden over 7f, following up in the Chesham at Royal Ascot before finishing fourth in the G2 Futurity Stakes, again over 7f.
Godolphin are represented by the Charlie Appleby Quest For Stars, three times on the racecourse, three times a winner, the first two over 7f , the last time over a mile. With William Buick heading to Toronto to ride Notable Speech in the Woodbine Mile, James Doyle steps in to take the ride.
Amo Racing have Charlie Johnston’s Pikachu with David Egan in the plate. He’s the most experienced in the field, having run five times. He easily broke his Maiden last time out at Thirsk. Before that, he wasn’t beaten far in the Chesham and acquitted himself well in the G2 Superlative Stakes when third over 7f, and was a little unlucky when taking a bump when finishing fourth in the G2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood, also over 7f.
Conclusion
This is the overview of the field:
| Team / Trainer | Runner | Key Jockey / Form Factor | Betting Angle |
| Ballydoyle (Aidan O’Brien) | Darkness Falls | Ryan Moore / 7L winner last time out | 6/4 favorite; tough to beat |
| Shakespeare | P-C Boudot / Improving mile form | Solid place prospects | |
| Aix la Chapelle | C. Soumillon / 3rd in G3 Tyros Stakes | Needs a bit more | |
| Victory Speech | Gavin Ryan / Beat Zarak Pasha in maiden | Possible pacesetter | |
| Owning Hill (Joseph O’Brien) | Green Dreamer | Joey Sheridan / 3rd in G2 Futurity Stakes | Will love stepping up to 1m1f |
| Jesus Green | Colin Keane / 2nd on debut to Wall Street | Top Each-Way Value | |
| Zarak Pasha | Declan McDonagh / On the upgrade | Progressive profile | |
| Godolphin (Charlie Appleby) | Quest For Stars | James Doyle / Unbeaten in 3 starts | Serious, battle-hardened threat (2nd Favourite 5/1) |
| Charlie Johnston (Amo Racing) | Pikachu | David Egan / 3rd in G2 Superlative Stakes | Overpriced; will outrun odds |
| Fozzy Stack (Craig Bernick) | Nola Soul | Followed maiden win with Chesham run | Needs to settle early; capable |
The Ballydoyle stable has been cold in the last three weeks, operating at a 12.5% strike rate. Aidan has stated that he backed off them intentionally, with Autumn campaigns very much in mind. No different to 2017, then.
Darkness Falls was impressive last time out; the step up in trip is not a concern. Shakespeare is an improving type. Aix la Chapelle and Victory Speech both have something to find. Quest For Stars is a great battler. Nola Soul needs to settle. Pikachu is overpriced and will outrun his odds.
It’s the Joseph O’Brien team that provides the most interest.
Zarak Pasha is going the right way. Green Dreamer was caught for toe over 7f last time out but finished well and will love the step up to 1m1f. Jesus Green missed the break, ran green, and still finished second to a good horse. With Colin Keane on his back, he’s a great each-way shout at 33/1.
Recommendation
Jesus Green 33/1 ew
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