The big names have all stood their ground for the five Group 1 races and the supporting cards.
Gleneagles, Golden Horn, Free Eagle, The Grey Gatsby, Cirrus Des Aigles, Brown Panther, Forgotten Rules, Agent Murphy, Panama Hat, Legatissimo, Amazing Maria, Tanaza and Air Force Blue set to feature at Leopardstown and the Curragh
The big names have all stood their ground for the five Group 1 races and the supporting cards on Longines Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown and the Curragh on Saturday and Sunday.
Dual 2,000 Guineas hero Gleneagles and the Epsom Derby winner Golden Horn feature among the nine horses remaining in the €1.1m QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday. They look set to be joined by last year’s winner The Grey Gatsby, Free Eagle, French star Cirrus Des Aigles and Highland Reel. There are three fillies still in the race, Legatissimo, Pleascach and Found, all Group 1 winners.
Sixteen horses have accepted for the Palmerstown House Estate Irish St Leger at the Curragh on Sunday, headed by last year’s winner Brown Panther. Agent Murphy, Forgotten Rules and Kingfisher have also stood their ground for the final Irish Classic of 2015.
The Ger Lyons-trained Ainippe has been supplemented for the Group 1 Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes for which a field of 10 remains in place. Legatissimo and Amazing Maria could yet be joined by Euro Charline and her trainer Marco Botti said, “The plan is to run the filly on Saturday and we have asked Frankie (Dettori) to ride her and assuming he is available that is the plan. She is in very good form and I am just hoping for good ground for her. It looks a very good race but we are looking forward to it.”
Fifteen remain in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, headed by the Dermot Weld-trained Tanaza and Michael O’Callaghan’s Now Or Never. Aidan O’Brien has left his options open with five in the race including Ballydoyle and How High The Moon.
A total of 14 remain in the Group 1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes with Air Force Blue, Buratino, Final Frontier and Herald The Dawn leading the way. Aidan O’Brien has seven left in the race and he can also choose from the likes of Air Vice Marshal and Johannes Vermeer.
Pat Keogh, CEO of Leopardstown Racecourse, said, “After twelve months preparation, the waiting is nearly over. We are all set to stage one of the best day’s racing ever seen in Ireland. We would encourage people to come early on Saturday and become part of this historic occasion.”
Paul Hensey, General Manager of the Curragh Racecourse, said, “I’m delighted with the entries for all the Curragh races after final forfeit. In particular, the number of international horses that remain engaged is very pleasing. The entries for the three Group 1s at the Curragh are of the highest quality and the Group 2 Derrinstown Stud Flying Five has attracted what is essentially a Group 1 field.”
For the duration of Longines Irish Champions Weekend, the event’s official betting partner Tote Ireland will be paying money-back if a win selection finishes second to any British-trained winner. This offer is open to on-course customers only and is to a maximum refund of €20.
Tote will also be running an ‘Instant Winner’ promotion which gives all customers a chance to win cash prizes or tickets to go racing with every bet placed. Winners will be selected at random and customers will be issued with a voucher to claim their prize.
