Luxembourg on top in thrilling Champion Stakes

Luxembourg made up for lost time when edging a fantastic duel with Onesto in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown this afternoon.

The imposing son of Camelot went into last winter with the world at his feet after a faultless juvenile campaign but after finishing a staying on third in the 2,000 Guineas missed his big target in the Derby due to injury.

He was ring rusty on his return in the Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh last month, when just getting home by a neck, and Aidan O'Brien predicted significant improvement after that win.

The Ballydoyle maestro was spot on as his charge stepped up on the biggest stage to beat a strong field in today's Group 1 feature.

Stablemate Stone Age set a strong gallop in the race but was claimed a furlong from home as Onesto took a narrow lead, as Luxembourg also came to challenge.

There was little between the pair inside the final furlong but Luxembourg stuck his head out close home, for Ryan Moore, to gain the day and record a half length win at odds of 7/2.

7/4 favourite Vadeni was a length-and-a-quarter back in third after finding some traffic up the rail in the closing stages.

Luxembourg triumphs in the €1m Irish Champion Stakes! #LICW22 | @LeopardstownRC | @IrishChampsWknd pic.twitter.com/MMWu71XkLM

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 10, 2022

O’Brien said:- “It was an unbelievable effort from all the team to get this horse back and Ryan gave him an incredible ride.

“We felt going to the Curragh that he was only ready for a racecourse gallop and he couldn’t come here unless he had a race. That’s why we were so happy with him at the Curragh. He had 20 to 30% to improve from the Curragh and you usually don’t run a horse in a Group race like that.

“The plan and the dream was we had three races mapped out if we could get him back. If we could get him to the Curragh then he could come here and if he came here then we could go for the Arc.

“The pace was solid and it was an even pace. He’s obviously a very good horse.

“Ryan nearly fell off him in the Guineas and he was only beaten a couple of lengths. He had to be a bit different to do what he did in the Guineas.

“He wasn’t surrendering at the line today and he could be better over a mile and a half. His head was in the cooker a long way up that straight and he didn’t stop.

“Ryan was very impressed and he’s not an optimist by nature! Usually if he’s a little bit impressed that will do.

“I don’t think we have had an atmosphere at a Flat meeting in Ireland like this in a long time. He got applauded as he went out which is very rare.”

Moore told RTE:- “I'm delighted for the horse. He's had a tough year but he's done that very well.

“It was a good even, fair race. We went along and the race kind of opened up turning for home. He was still a little bit raw, a bit babyish. When he got to the front he was just always doing enough.

“He's got a lovely laid back attitude, in fairness to the horse. He's had a difficult race but he's never run a bad race and he's beaten some real solid horses there.

“I think there is more to come from him, he certainly gives that impression, as he's not blowing overly hard.

“You can see him going down the track there, he's an absolute gentleman. I'd like to think that there are some more good days in him to come.

“He did nothing wrong at two, unfortunately the Guineas didn't work out but he's back now and he's two from two at a mile-and-a-quarter.

“He beat a real deep field, they are all good horses in there today and he's put them away nicely.”

Christophe Soumillon reflected on the run of Vadeni following his win in the next race, saying:-

“You are always disappointed when you don't win with a horse like him. The horse had a break for two months after his big run in the Eclipse and I knew today he was not 100 percent fit.

“The good thing was that at the end of the race he was showing us that he can stay a little bit longer.

“For him we don't need too soft of a track as well. Today he didn't reply like he did when I asked him in Sandown as the track was a bit soft probably.

“It was a great run and we just finished in front of Mishriff again. Onesto was a very unlucky horse in the French Derby and I think they are quite close together.

“With a clear run and a bit more fitness I'm sure he will be able to beat them next time.”

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)