Irish Champion Stakes Preview (Sat 13th September 2025 )

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.

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]

race conditions  €1,250,000 guaranteed For  3yo+ Weights  3yo 9st 3lbs; 4yo+ 9st 9lbs Weight for age  3yo from 4yo+ 6lb Allowances  fillies & mares 3lbs Penalty value  1st  €712,500.00 2nd  €237,500.00 3rd  €112,500.00 4th  €50,000.00 5th  €25,000.00 6th  €12,500.00 

8 runners declared for Irish Champion Stakes over 10 furlongs at Leopardstown on soft ground .

2024 Ascot Champion stakes winner ANMAAT  should go well with ground conditions in his favour.Lightly raced this season , though finished excellent second in Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot in June ,behind the top class Ombudsman on ground that would been too quick. Goes well fresh and has excellent record on soft ground .Odds 4-1 look solid each-way value in this eight runner race .

Eclipse winner DELACROIX  looks the main danger ,after finishing good second in Juddmonte International at York last month , though not match for impressive winner Ombudsman on the day, that was still fair effort in messy race .Has to be respected back at Leopardstown, though is unproven on ground this soft. 

Of the others soft ground specialist WHITE BIRCH  can't be ruled out on pick last seasons form , including winning the G1 Tattersals Gold Cup .Also Goes well fresh ,each-way claims .

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Recommended Bet :

ANMAAT 5.30 LEOPARDSTOWN IRISH CHAMPION STAKES 

1PT EACH-WAY @ 4-1 LADBROKES 

(SECOND SP 4-1 LOSS 0.20 PTS )