The entries have been revealed for the Group 1,
€1 million Irish Champion Stakes and the Group 1,
€300,000 Irish St Leger, the feature races
for the inaugural Irish Champions Weekend September 13-14.
The Irish Champion, to be contested September 13 at Leopardstown, has
attracted two Japanese entries, raising the prospect of a first-ever
Japanese-trained runner in Ireland. They are Just a Way, the Dubai Duty Free
winner and the world’s current highest-rated racehorse, and Japan Cup runner-up
Denim and Ruby.
There is a total of 22 Group 1 winners among the 61 horses entered, including
this past weekend’s Prix d’Ispahan victor Cirrus des Aigles, Dubai World Cup
winner African Story, last year’s Irish Two Thousand Guineas and Breeders’ Cup
Turf hero Magician and Sunday’s Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Noble Mission.
Fillies with the potential to join the line-up include The Fugue, Just the
Judge, Sky Lantern and Chicquita. Sophomores featuring among the entries include
Australia and Kingston Hill.
For the full list of Irish Champion entries, click
here.
An international contingent has also been entered for the Irish St Leger
September 14 at the Curragh, including Dunaden, Estimate, Red Cadeaux, Leading
Light, Encke and 2012 winner Royal Diamond. Denim and Ruby is crossed entered
for the Irish St Leger.
For the full list of Irish St Leger entries, click
here.
“Horse Racing Ireland and the racecourses have worked very hard to target the
top international horses, and we are very pleased both with the quality and
quantity of entries for the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes and the Palmerstown
House Estate Irish St. Leger,” said Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive Officer of
HRI.
“The strength in depth and geographical spread of the entries, and the
possibility of a first-ever Japanese runner in Ireland, underline the huge
international appeal of our inaugural Irish Champions Weekend. With many other
top-class races over the weekend at our two premier Flat racecourses, we look
forward to welcoming the racing world to Ireland for a meeting which has truly
global appeal.”
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