Japanese Entry In Irish Champion

Entries have also been announced for the G1 Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown Sept 12th and a typically high class international field has been assembled. In total, 60 entries have been received for the ten furlong event with a seven-strong Japanese contingent featuring among a strong overseas challenge of 32 horses for the €1.1M race.  The Japanese entries are headed by G1Japan Cup winner Epiphaneia (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S) and G1 Japan Derby winner One And Only (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}). The seven-time Group 1 winner Cirrus Des Aigles (Fr) (Even Top {Ire}) and Karakontie (Jpn) (Bernstein) stand out among an entry of six from France while the British challenge numbers 17 at this stage. Epsom Derby fancies Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), Jack Hobbs (GB) (Halling {GB})and Elm Park (GB) (Phoenix Reach {Ire}) are entered as is last year's winner The Grey Gatsby (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). G1 Lockinge Stakes winner Night Of Thunder (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is another leading British challenger as are Group 1 winners Just The Judge (Ire) (Lawman {Fr})and Kingston Hill (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). Gleneagles (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) heads a typically strong Aidan O'Brien challenge. O'Brien has enjoyed seven previous victories and is the winning-most trainer in the 40 year history of the race. He has also entered the Group 1 winning fillies Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) andTogether Forever (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

Dermot Weld has put his Epsom Derby contender Zawraq (Ire) (Shamardal) in the race along with the exciting Free Eagle (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire})who landed the G3 Enterprise S. on the corresponding card last year. Other notable Irish entries include David Wachman's G1 1000 Guineas winner Legatissimo (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), Jim Bolger's G1 Irish 1000 Guineas winner Pleascach (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), Ken Condon's Epsom Derby hope Success Days (Ire)(Jeremy) and the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas runner-up Endless Drama (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), trained by Ger Lyons. Pat Keogh, Chief Executive of Leopardstown Racecourse said, “We are delighted to see so many top quality horses entered this year and it is particularly pleasing to see the international spread of entries including horses from Japan and Australia. The race is currently rated in the top ten in the world and this looks like being another vintage renewal of this famous race.”