Irish Champion Stakes

The Irish Champion Stakes (Irish: Curadh-Dhuais na hÉireann) is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.

This article is about the horse race. For the greyhound race, see Champion Stakes (Irish greyhound race).

Irish Champion Stakes
Group 1 race
Assert, oil on canvas
Painting by Bob Demuyser (1920-2003)
LocationLeopardstown
County Dublin, Ireland
Inaugurated1976
Race typeFlat / Thoroughbred
SponsorNone (2020)
WebsiteIrish Champions Weekend
Race information
Distance1m 2f (2,012 metres)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-years-old and up
Weight9 st 1 lb (3yo);
9 st 7 lb (4yo+)
Allowances
3 lb for fillies and mares
Purse€1,000,000 (2022)
1st: €580,000
Irish Champion Stakes
2023
Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Maroon, royal blue hoop, royal blue sleeves, quartered cap Dark green, white stars on sleeves
Auguste Rodin Luxembourg Nashwa
Previous years
2022
Maroon, royal blue hoop, royal blue sleeves, quartered cap White, purple cap Emerald green, red epaulettes, emerald green cap
Luxembourg Onesto Vadeni
2021
Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap White, purple panel, check cap
St Mark's Basilica Tarnawa Poetic Flare
2020-2011
2020
Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, white cap Royal blue Dark blue
Magical Ghaiyyath Armory
2019
Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Dark blue
Magical Magic Wand Anthony Van Dyck
2018
Claret, gold braid, claret sleeves, claret cap, gold tassel Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap Pink, emerald green chevron, halved sleeves, quartered cap
Roaring Lion Saxon Warrior Deauville
2017
Dark green, beige stars on sleeves, dark green cap Royal blue, yellow chevron, yellow cap, royal blue spots Royal blue and white hoops, grey sleeves, royal blue and white quartered cap
Decorated Knight Poet's Word Eminent
2016
Light blue, dark blue spots, light blue sleeves and cap Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap
Almanzor Found Minding
2015
Black and white halved, sleeves reversed, red cap Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves, Royal Blue cap Black, white slvs, red cap, black star
Golden Horn Found Free Eagle
2014
Light green and dark green diamonds Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap Royal blue, dark blue seams, royal blue sleeves and cap
The Grey Gatsby Australia Trading Leather
2013
Pink, grey sash, pink cap Royal blue and white diamonds, white sleeves, royal blue armlet, royal blue and white quartered cap White, purple panel, check cap
The Fugue Al Kazeem Trading Leather
2012
Yellow, red epaulettes and sleeves, yellow cap Dark blue, yellow chevron hoop, yellow cap Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap
Snow Fairy Nathaniel St Nicholas Abbey
2011
Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap Yellow, red epaulettes and sleeves, yellow cap Emerald green, pink sash, white sleeves, pink cap
So You Think Snow Fairy Famous Name
2010-2001
2010
Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap Dark blue Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves
Cape Blanco Rip Van Winkle Twice Over
2009
Yellow, purple cap, yellow star Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, purple cap Purple, white seams, striped sleeves, white cap
Sea The Stars Fame And Glory Mastercraftsman
2008
EMERALD GREEN, black chevrons on sleeves, emerald green cap Pink, Emerald Green chevron, halved sleeves, quartered cap WHITE, emerald green star, diabolo on sleeves, orange cap
New Approach Traffic Guard Mores Wells
2007
Dark blue Pink Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap
Dylan Thomas Duke Of Marmalade Red Rock Canyon
2006
Dark blue Black, White cap White, dark blue diamond, blue sleeves, white armlets, quartered cap
Dylan Thomas Ouija Board Alexander Goldrun
2005
Dark blue White, dark blue armlets and cap White, dark blue diamond, blue sleeves, white armlets, quartered cap
Oratorio Motivator Alexander Goldrun
2004
GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap Purple, light blue chevron, light blue cap Dark blue
Azamour Norse Dancer Powerscourt
2003
Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Light blue, yellow hoop and armlets, yellow cap, light blue diamond Pale Blue, White and Yellow check cap
High Chaparral Falbrav Islington
2002
Royal blue Dark blue Royal blue, white cap
Grandera Hawk Wing Best Of The Bests
2001
Royal blue Dark blue Green, beige triple diamond, diamonds on sleeves, quartered cap
Fantastic Light Galileo Bach
2000-1991
2000
Dark blue Pale Blue, White and Yellow check cap Royal blue
Giant's Causeway Greek Dance Best Of The Bests
1999
Royal blue White, Red stars, Red cap, Emerald Green star Dark blue, light blue cross belts, striped sleeves, white cap
Daylami Dazzling Park Dream Well
1998
Royal blue White, emerald green hoops, white sleeves and cap Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves
Swain Alborada Xaar
1997
Pale Blue, White and Yellow check cap Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Royal blue
Pilsudski Desert King Alhaarth
1996
GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap Black, white sleeves, red cap, black star Yellow, light blue stars on body and cap
Timarida Dance Design Glory Of Dancer
1995
Chocolate, Gold braid and sleeves, quartered cap Royal Blue, Light Blue cap Royal blue
Pentire Freedom Cry Flagbird
1994
Royal blue Yellow, black epaulets Apricot
Cezanne Del Deya Grand Lodge
1993
Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Straw
Muhtarram Opera House Lord Of The Field
1992
White, pale blue armlets, quartered cap White, blue hollow box, diabolo on sleeves, blue cap Red, yellow striped sleeves, yellow cap
Dr Devious St Jovite Alflora
1991
White, blue hollow box, hooped cap Yellow, Black and Yellow striped sleeves, White cap Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star
Suave Dancer Environment Friend Stagecraft
1990-1983
1990
Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap Red, white star, yellow sleeves, red and yellow hooped cap Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots
Elmaamul Sikeston Kostroma
1989
Yellow, light blue stars on body and cap Red, two light blue vees Dark blue, white cross belts, dark blue and gold quartered cap
Carroll House Citidancer Petrullo
1988
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Dark blue, yellow hooped sleeves and spots on cap White, black hoop, black sleeves, white armlets, black cap
Indian Skimmer Shady Heights Triptych
1987
Light blue, mauve halved sleeves Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots White, red epaulets, blue sleeves, white stars, red cuffs, red and blue quartered cap
Triptych Entitled Cockney Lass
1986
White, red stars, green cap Yellow and black hoops, striped cap Light blue, mauve halved sleeves
Park Express Double Bed Triptych
1985
Red, two light blue vees Dark blue and grey check, grey sleeves, blue cap Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves
Commanche Run Bob Back Damister
1984
Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Dark blue, light blue cross-belts, striped sleeves, white cap White, red collar and cuffs, tartan cap
Sadler's Wells Seattle Song Princess Pati
1983
Black and amber striped, white collar, cuffs and cap Yellow, black epaulets Green, pink epaulets, white sleeves, pink cap
Stanerra Wassl General Holme
 

History

The event was established in 1976, and it was initially held at Leopardstown as the Joe McGrath Memorial Stakes. It was named in memory of Joe McGrath (1887–1966), the founder of the Irish Hospitals' Sweepstake and a successful racehorse owner.

The race was transferred to Phoenix Park and renamed the Phoenix Champion Stakes in 1984. Its present title was introduced in 1991, when the event returned to Leopardstown after the closure of its former venue.

The Irish Champion Stakes became part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series in 2009. The winner now earns an automatic invitation to compete in the same year's Breeders' Cup Turf.[1]

The Irish Champion Stakes has become a very useful prep race for the remaining major races in the Autumn schedule such as the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Champion Stakes, Breeders Cup, Hong Kong International Festival and major Group 1 races in Japan. The 2016 edition of the race was possibly one of its strongest editions with eight out of 12 participants winning 17 career Group 1's between them prior to the race. The form of the race would later see four of the participants win further Group 1 honours by the end of the 2016 season, producing a first & second in that year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, first and second in the Champion Stakes, the winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, and first and second in the Breeders' Cup Turf.

Winners of the Irish Champion Stakes have gone on to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the same season on five occasions: Carroll House (1989), Suave Dancer (1991), Dylan Thomas (2007), Sea The Stars (2009) and Golden Horn (2015), and a sixth Arc win was achieved when 2016 Irish Champion Stakes runner-up, Found, won the 2016 edition of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Winners of the Irish Champion Stakes have gone on to win the Champion Stakes in the same season on six occasions: Triptych (1987), Indian Skimmer (1988), Pilsudski (1997), New Approach (2008), Almanzor (2016) and Magical (2019). The race has produced two further winners of the Champion Stakes with the 1986 third, Triptych, and the 2010 third, Twice Over, subsequently winning the British race that season.

Participants in the Irish Champion Stakes have gone on to win several Breeders' Cup titles in the same season. This includes five winners of the Breeders' Cup Turf, with Irish Champion Stakes winners such as Daylami (1999), Fantastic Light (2001), High Chaparral (2003) achieving a season double, while 2015 Irish Champion Stakes runner-up, Found, and a 2016 participant, Highland Reel, found success in the respective season's edition. In 2006, third placed Ouija Board went on to win that season's edition of the Breeders Cup' Filly & Mares Turf.

Success has been also achieved in Japan where the Irish Champion Stakes winners, Stanerra (1983) and Pilsudski (1997) won the Japan Cup in the same season. Meanwhile, 2011 runner-up, Snow Fairy, gained compensation by winning that year's Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup

Records

Most successful horse (2 wins):

Leading jockey (7 wins):

  • Michael Kinane – Carroll House (1989), Cezanne (1994), Pilsudski (1997), Giant's Causeway (2000), High Chaparral (2003), Azamour (2004), Sea the Stars (2009)

Leading trainer (12 wins):

  • Aidan O'Brien – Giant's Causeway (2000), High Chaparral (2003), Oratorio (2005), Dylan Thomas (2006, 2007), Cape Blanco (2010), So You Think (2011), Magical (2019, 2020), St Mark's Basilica (2021), Luxembourg (2022), Auguste Rodin (2023)

Leading owner (12 wins): (includes part ownership)

  • Sue Magnier / Michael Tabor – Giant's Causeway (2000), High Chaparral (2003), Oratorio (2005), Dylan Thomas (2006, 2007), Cape Blanco (2010), So You Think (2011), Magical (2019, 2020), St Mark's Basilica,Luxembourg (2022), Auguste Rodin (2023)

Winners
Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Time Country
1976 Malacate 3 Lester Piggott François Boutin María Félix Berger 2:07.60  France
1977 North Stoke 3 Ron Hutchinson John Dunlop Mrs M. Lequime 2:09.20  United Kingdom
1978 Inkerman 3 Lester Piggott Vincent O'Brien Simon Fraser 2:05.20  Ireland
1979 Fordham 4 Tommy Carberry Vincent O'Brien Robert Sangster 2:07.00  Ireland
1980 Gregorian 4 George McGrath Vincent O'Brien Danny Schwartz 2:07.80  Ireland
1981 Kings Lake 3 Pat Eddery Vincent O'Brien Mrs Jean-Pierre Binet 2:06.30  Ireland
1982 Assert 3 Christy Roche David O'Brien Robert Sangster 2:06.30  Ireland
1983 Stanerra 5 Brian Rouse Frank Dunne Frank Dunne 2:09.50  Ireland
1984 Sadler's Wells 3 Pat Eddery Vincent O'Brien Robert Sangster 2:00.90  Ireland
1985 Commanche Run 4 Lester Piggott Luca Cumani Ivan Allan 2:09.20  United Kingdom
1986 Park Express 3 John Reid Jim Bolger Paddy Burns 2:02.50  Ireland
1987 Triptych 5 Tony Cruz Patrick Biancone Alan Clore 2:06.70  France
1988 Indian Skimmer 4 Michael Roberts Henry Cecil Sheikh Mohammed 2:06.50  United Kingdom
1989 Carroll House 4 Michael Kinane Michael Jarvis Antonio Balzarini 2:04.00  United Kingdom
1990 Elmaamul 3 Willie Carson Dick Hern Hamdan Al Maktoum 2:02.90  United Kingdom
1991 Suave Dancer 3 Cash Asmussen John Hammond Henri Chalhoub 2:06.80  France
1992 Dr Devious 3 John Reid Peter Chapple-Hyam Sidney Craig 2:10.00  United Kingdom
1993 Muhtarram 4 Willie Carson John Gosden Hamdan Al Maktoum 2:06.10  United Kingdom
1994 Cezanne 5 Michael Kinane Sir Michael Stoute Godolphin 2:07.90  United Kingdom
1995 Pentire 3 Michael Hills Geoff Wragg Mollers Racing 2:04.40  United Kingdom
1996 Timarida 4 Johnny Murtagh John Oxx Aga Khan IV 2:06.20  Ireland
1997 Pilsudski 5 Michael Kinane Sir Michael Stoute Lord Weinstock 2:04.70  United Kingdom
1998 Swain 6 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin 2:10.20  United Kingdom
1999 Daylami 5 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin 2:08.40  United Kingdom
2000 Giant's Causeway 3 Michael Kinane Aidan O'Brien Magnier / Tabor 2:03.10  Ireland
2001 Fantastic Light 5 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin 2:01.80  United Kingdom
2002 Grandera 4 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin 2:04.70  United Kingdom
2003 High Chaparral 4 Michael Kinane Aidan O'Brien Tabor / Magnier 2:03.30  Ireland
2004 Azamour 3 Michael Kinane John Oxx HH Aga Khan IV 2:01.90  Ireland
2005 Oratorio 3 Kieren Fallon Aidan O'Brien Magnier / Tabor 2:03.90  Ireland
2006 Dylan Thomas 3 Kieren Fallon Aidan O'Brien Magnier / Tabor 2:02.90  Ireland
2007 Dylan Thomas 4 Kieren Fallon Aidan O'Brien Magnier / Tabor 2:02.27  Ireland
2008 New Approach 3 Kevin Manning Jim Bolger Princess Haya of Jordan 2:07.57  Ireland
2009 Sea the Stars 3 Michael Kinane John Oxx Christopher Tsui 2:03.90  Ireland
2010 Cape Blanco 3 Seamie Heffernan Aidan O'Brien Smith / Magnier / Tabor 2:03:89  Ireland
2011 So You Think 5 Seamie Heffernan Aidan O'Brien Derrick Smith et al. 2:04.20  Ireland
2012 Snow Fairy 5 Frankie Dettori Ed Dunlop Anamoine Limited 2:00.92  United Kingdom
2013 The Fugue 4 William Buick John Gosden Andrew Lloyd Webber 2:05.22  United Kingdom
2014 The Grey Gatsby 3 Ryan Moore Kevin Ryan Frank Gillespie 2:03.18  United Kingdom
2015 Golden Horn 3 Frankie Dettori John Gosden Anthony Oppenheimer 2:05.41  United Kingdom
2016 Almanzor 3 Christophe Soumillon Jean-Claude Rouget Ecurie Antonio Caro 2:08.93  France
2017 Decorated Knight 5 Andrea Atzeni Roger Charlton Al Homaizi / Al Sagar 2:08.36  United Kingdom
2018 Roaring Lion 3 Oisin Murphy John Gosden Qatar Racing Ltd 2:07.21  United Kingdom
2019 Magical 4 Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien Smith / Magnier / Tabor 2:06.49  Ireland
2020 Magical 5 Seamie Heffernan Aidan O'Brien Smith / Magnier / Tabor 2:05.08  Ireland
2021 St Mark's Basilica 3 Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien Smith / Magnier / Tabor 2:11.19  Ireland
2022 Luxembourg 3 Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien Westerberg / Smith / Magnier / Tabor 2:12.10  Ireland
2023 Auguste Rodin 3 Ryan Moore Aidan O'Brien Tabor / Smith / Magnier / Westerberg 2:02.68  Ireland

See also

References
  1. "2011 Breeders' Cup Challenge Schedule" (PDF). breederscup.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
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