Leopardstown crowd increases by 12 percent for Champion Stakes Leopardstown Racecourse welcomed a vibrant crowd of 11,354 racegoers on the opening day of the 2025 Irish Champions Festival yesterday, marking a 12% increase on the 2024 attendance figure of 10,135. All eyes were on the new partnership of Aidan O’Brien and Christophe Soumillon, who delivered a sensational treble on the card. Their victories included The Listed Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle Stakes with Diamond Necklace, The Group 2 KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes and the showpiece of the, The Group 1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes, where hot-favourite Delacroix delivered in emphatic fashion. Fallen Angel delivered another productive journey to Ireland to land her fourth Group 1 in the Coolmore America Justify Matron Stakes under James Doyle, having finished runner-up to the Porta Fortuna in this race last year, giving Karl Burke a double on the day. International Connections Dominate Opening Day The World Pool Moment of the Day, honoring the most exciting moment at the track, was won by UK trainer Karl Burke’s yard for their two wins and a third from three runners. The team share €4,000 check. The yard will now be entered the chance to be named World Pool Moment of the Year and win a VIP trip for four to Hong Kong for either the 2026 Hong Kong Derby or 2026 Champions Day.
