G1 Prix du Jockey Club winner Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and G1 Coral-Eclipse victor Hawkbill (Kitten's Joy) headline the additions to the G1 Irish Champion S. at the second entry stage. Almanzor's trainer, Jean-Claude Rouget, revealed his plans on Wednesday to run the colt in the Sept. 10 Irish Champion followed by the G1 Champion S. on British Champions Day Oct. 15. Almanzor and Godolphin's Hawkbill are among 38 horses–20 already Group/Grade 1 winners–remaining in the Irish Champion, and those include dual Derby winner Harzand (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and the three-time Group 1 winner Postponed (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).
Rouget has also confirmed this year's G1 Coronation S. and G1 Prix Rothschild winner Qemah (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) as an intended starter in the G1 Matron S. on the same card. She could face six-time Group 1 winner Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the Matron, although that Ballydoyle charge also holds an entry in the Irish Champion. Also still eligible in the Matron are G1 Irish 1000 Guineas winner Jet Setting (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}) and Group 1 winners Ervedya (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), Alice Springs (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Lumiere (GB) (Shamardal).
On the following day's Curragh card, defending champion Order Of St George (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) headlines the G1 Irish St Leger, joined by his stablemate Bondi Beach (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), G2 Goodwood Cup winner Big Orange (GB) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) and last year's G1 St Leger winner Simple Verse (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}). Thursday saw three additions to the G1 Moyglare Stud S., including Aidan O'Brien's Promise To Be True (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
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