Irish Champion Building To Vintage Contest With just eight days to go until the QIPCO sponsored Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown excitement is building that this 40th running of the Group 1 contest could be be one of the best yet. The race which is ranked the fourth highest rated race in the world looks set to be contested by the reigning Irish and English Derby winner Harzand along with the winner of the French equivalent (Prix Du Jockey Club) Almanzor and six-time Group 1 winning filly Minding. Last year’s renewal witnessed Golden Horn, Cartier Horse of the Year and the second highest rated horse in the world, win the race under jockey Frankie Dettori. This year entries are shaping up to be even more exciting. Almanzor, the Prix Du Jockey Club (French Derby) winner will bring an international and thrilling dimension to the Group One race. The Jean-Claude Rouget trained colt warmed up for the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes with an impressive win in the Prix Guillaume D'Ornano at Deauville just two weeks ago. It has been twenty five years since a French horse has won the Irish Champion Stakes with Suave Dancer producing a win back in 1991, ridden by the American jockey Cash Asmussen. Suave Dancer went on to win the Arc in the same year as did last year’s winner Golden Horn. Pat Keogh, Chief Executive of Leopardstown Racecourse, said, “Longines Irish Champions Weekend represents the best of Irish racing and for me and our team it is thrilling to read through the list of entries for our Group races to see the quality of Irish and overseas competition." "It will be great to see world class racing in front of a home Leopardstown crowd. The QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes has consistently produced some of the best horses and this year will be no different with Irish and Epsom Derby winner Harzand, French Derby winner Almanzor, and six-time Group 1 winner, Minding, in the mix."
