Table-topper Foley looking forward to a big weekend

Shane Foley sits on top of the Irish Flat Jockey standings with 63 winners ridden so far this season, and currently has a healthy advantage over his closest pursuers Colin Keane and Wayne Lordan who are both on the 47 winner mark.

The Kilkenny native is looking forward to some exciting rides over the course of Irish Champions Weekend.

Jessica Harrington's stable jockey reflected on the season to date, and his hopes for the weekend’s action at Leopardstown and the Curragh, in conversation with racing journalist Dave Keena.

“It’s been fantastic since the first day. We got on a bit of a roll early and it’s been constant since. We had a Group 1 winner (Lucky Vega) which is obviously very important.

"We’ve been knocking on the door in a few of those Group Ones like the Irish Oaks and it was nice to get one and we’re looking forward to a big weekend.

"We could have five or six genuine Group 1 fillies in the yard (of Jessica Harrington). You don’t usually have so many. It’s fantastic and they’ve brought each other along as the year has progressed. It’s all about keeping that up now and aiming for getting more for next year."

Coronation Stakes winner Alpine Star has since been runner-up in the Prix de Diane and, most recently, the Prix Jacques le Marois behind Palace Pier.

“She could go for the Irish Champion Stakes. She’d quite a hard race the last day. She’s had a hard race every day she’s run, obviously, being Group 1 company, but that race did take a little bit out of her. She had a breeze the other morning and she feels good.

"The Champion is on the agenda. She’s been a model of consistency all year. She only does what she has to at home. She leaves her best for the track. She’s small, she’s a terrier. Ghaiyyath, if he comes, would be fantastic for the weekend but our filly is in good shape.

"It definitely would be a big ask for a 3-year-old filly, but I’ll leave that up to connections, Jessie and (racing manager) Alan Cooper. At the moment the Champion would be the plan but we’ll just see. Like I said, she has had a couple of hard races so we’ll leave it up to them."

Last season’s Prix Marcel Boussac winner Albigna was a disappointing favourite when sixth in the Irish 1,000 Guineas in June and, after a break, finished runner-up in a Group 3 at the Curragh at the end of last month.

“We were actually disappointed with her at the Curragh the other day because her home work has been phenomenal. When she gets to the track she gets herself in a little bit of a knot and she doesn’t put forward what she’s shown us at home.

"But she hadn’t run since the Guineas and she got a bit jarred up that day. She’s come out of her last race really well and Leopardstown (Matron Stakes) is the plan. We haven’t seen the best of her yet this year so hopefully we can get it out of her."

Lucky Vega was a three and a half length winner of the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh and is on course to return there for the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes.

“He was impressive in the Phoenix. I got a kick out of him that day, just the way he travelled through the race and the way he picked up and put the race to bed in three strides.

"We jockeys get up early every morning looking for horses like him. He’s done everything we’ve asked him. He had a little bit of a setback going to the Railway Stakes and he still showed what a good horse he was there (finished second) and he stepped forward from that.

"He’s had a good prep since the Phoenix and I don’t think stepping up a furlong in the National Stakes will be a problem for him.

"The Railway was a stepping stone for him and we always had the Phoenix in the back of our head. He’s a very good horse, very placid and laid-back.

"He did his main bit of work at the Curragh last week. He’ll have a breeze this week but he’s in good shape and physically he’s getting bigger and stronger every time. He’s a nice horse to look forward to for next year.

"I think Jessie could have a runner in maybe six of the seven Group Ones this weekend. I think I might be on Liberty Beach of John Quinn’s in the Flying Five. She’s a fast filly and she’s looked good.

"I’m in a privileged situation at the moment the way things are going and long may it continue. It’s been a fantastic season and if we could get a Group 1 over Champions Weekend it would really top it off."