Delacroix Headlines Star-Studded Irish Champion Stakes as Breeders’ Cup Looms

The winner of the Coral Eclipse (G1) will look for his ticket to the Longines Turf (G1) at Leopardstown; Fallen Angel stands out in the Matron Stakes and Benvenuto Cellini in the Champions Juvenile Stakes

Delacroix Targets Breeders’ Cup Berth at Leopardstown / HEALY RACING PHOTO

DUBLIN, Irlanda (Special for Turf Diario).- The always-anticipated Irish Champion S. (G1) returns this Saturday at Leopardstown as the centerpiece of Irish Champions Weekend, with added incentive: the winner will earn a direct entry to the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) through the “Challenge: Win and You’re In” series.

In an exceptionally high-class field, Delacroix (Dubawi) carries the favorite tag. The Aidan O’Brien trainee, fresh off a win in the Coral-Eclipse (G1) and runner-up to Ombudsman (Night of Thunder) in the Juddmonte International (G1), knows the track and distance perfectly after victories in the Ballysax S. and Derby Trial. Now, with Christophe Soumillon in the saddle, he will attempt to cement his status among Europe’s top middle-distance milers and pave his way to Del Mar.

It will not be easy. Veteran Anmaat (Awtaad), winner of the Champion S. (G1) at Ascot and second to Ombudsman in the Prince of Wales’s S., returns with the advantage of soft ground perfectly suiting his running style. Promising Zahrann (Golden Horn), who showed his class at Royal Ascot and comes off a win in the Royal Whip S. (G3), is also in contention, while Japan will again be represented by Shin Emperor (Siyouni), winner of the Neom Turf Cup (G2)and third in this race last year.

The competitive cast is completed by White Birch (Ulysses), seeking a return to the top after defeating Auguste Rodin (Deep Impact) in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1); consistent Royal Champion (Shamardal); Hotazhell (Sea the Moon), with international experience at Saratoga; and Mount Kilimanjaro (Galileo), another Ballydoyle contender. A stellar lineup for a race that promises excitement and international significance.

Beyond the Irish Champion, Leopardstown offers two more Breeders’ Cup qualifiers this Saturday. In the Matron S. (G1), Fallen Angel (Too Darn Hot) will attempt to secure a spot in the Filly & Mare Turf (G1), while the Champions Juvenile S. (G2) awards a direct berth to the Juvenile Turf (G1), with unbeaten Benvenuto Cellini (Frankel) the standout among the juveniles.

A Saturday of top-class racing in Ireland, with strong Breeders’ Cup implications.