Bucanero Fuerte (nearest) winning last year's GAIN Railway Stakes © Photo Healy Racing
The GAIN Champion Collection is a prestigious series in Irish horse racing, providing an exciting platform for two-year-old competitors to showcase their talent. With an impressive prize pot of €220,000, the series offers substantial rewards for participants, attracting top-tier talent.
The series kicks off on May 6th with the GAIN First Flier Stakes, setting the stage for an exhilarating competition, followed by the Group 3 GAIN Marble Hill Stakes on May 25th, known for its high level of competition and excitement.
The series reaches its climax on Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day, June 30th with the Group 2 GAIN Railway Stakes, a historic race dating back to 1851. The Railway Stakes holds a special place in the racing calendar as one of the oldest races, highlighting the rich heritage of horse racing.
The series offers additional incentives for participants, with the winning horse of the GAIN Railway Stakes earning an automatic entry into the prestigious Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes, further enhancing the prestige of the series.
Once again, the GAIN Railway Stakes will be part of the Tote World Pool, providing increased international exposure for the race and attracting attention from racing enthusiasts worldwide.
“In 2023, the success story of ‘Bucanero Fuerte’, trained by Adrian Murray, winning the GAIN Railway Stakes and subsequently the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes was truly remarkable,” said Philip Gilligan, Irish Country Manager, GAIN Equine Nutrition.
“It reinforces that the GAIN Champion Collection series plays a vital role in the development and progression of young horses, providing a pathway to Group 1 success and cementing its position as a cornerstone of the racing calendar.
“We look forward to following the season closely and eagerly await the unfolding of yet another exciting chapter in the GAIN Champion Collection Series,” said Philip.
GAIN's association with the series further strengthens its relationship with The Curragh, building on a partnership that began in 2012 and highlighting its commitment to supporting and promoting horse racing.
Evan Arkwright, Racing and Sponsorship Manager, The Curragh said, “The GAIN Champion Collection is now firmly established as one of the leading series of races in the international racing calendar, consistently attracting some of the very best juveniles in training and has further helped to develop the long standing and very positive partnership between the racecourse and GAIN Equine Nutrition”
Adrian Murray, Racehorse Trainer said, “We were thrilled with the success we had last year in the GAIN Champion Collection Series. It’s a very important series for us. We have several nice 2-year-olds that we hope will do well this year and hopefully be good enough to go on to win a Group 1”
Overall, the GAIN Champion Collection Series represents a pinnacle of excellence in horse racing, offering top-class competition, substantial rewards, and opportunities for international exposure and recognition for participants.
Monday (BH) 6th May: GAIN First Flier Stakes (Listed).
The race programme also features the Group 2 Coolmore Stud Sottsass Mooresbridge Stakes (Group 3) and Coolmore Stud Circus Maximus Athasi Stakes (Group 3)
Saturday 25th May: GAIN Marble Hill Stakes (Group 3).
The race programme features the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas (Group 1 Classic)
Sunday 30th June: GAIN Railway Stakes (Group 2).
The race programme features the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.
