The Group One Irish Champion Stakes is staged at Leopardstown racecourse and run over a distance of 1m2f.
In recent years, the race has been dominated by trainer Aiden O’Brien – he’s won the race eight times since 2000, including twelve months ago with Magical. Can he make it nine in 2020?
We take a look at the past winners and the key stats ahead of the 2020 renewal – this year run on Saturday 12th Sept 2020.
Irish Champion Stakes Recent Winners
2019 – Magical (11/10 fav)
2018 – Roaring Lion (8/11 fav)
2017 – Decorated Knight (25/1)
2016 – Almanzor (7/1)
2015 – Golden Horn (5/4 fav)
2014 – The Grey Gatsby (7/1)
2013 – The Fugue (4/1)
2012 – Snow Fairy (15/8)
2011 – So You Think (1/4 fav)
2010 – Cape Blanco (6/1)
2009 – Sea The Stars (4/6 fav)
2008 – New Approach (8/13 fav)
2007 – Dylan Thomas (8/15 fav)
2006 – Dylan Thomas (13/8 fav)
2005 – Oratorio (7/1)
2004 – Azamour (8/1)
2003 – High Chaparral (4/1)
Irish Champion Stakes Betting Trends
18/18 – Previous Group 1 winner
17/18 – Returned 8/1 or shorter in the betting
16/18 – Won 4 or more times before
16/18 – Had won over 1m2f before
15/18 – Aged 3 or 4 years-old
15/18 – Finished in the top 3 last time out
15/18 – Ran at York, Sandown or Ascot last time out
14/18 – Had 4 or more previous runs that season
13/18 – Rated 120+
13/18 – Placed favourites
10/18 – Trained in Ireland
10/18 – Aged 3 years-old
9/18 – Won last time out
8/18 – Winning favourites
7/18 – Previous course winners
7/18 – Trained by Aidan O’Brien
5/18 – Returned odds-on
3/18 – Trained by John Gosden (3 of the last 7)
2/18 – Won the Coral Eclipse last time out
2/18 – Trained by John Oxx
2/18 – Ridden by Seamie Heffernan
The average winning SP in the last 18 years is 4/1
It’s a race the powerful Aidan O’Brien yard have won eight times, so it goes without saying their entries – Armory, Magical and Japan – are interesting, with the last two his clear hope this year. Magical is also the current champ in this race so we know conditions will suit and everything points to another big run, while Japan, who is rated the same as Magical (121), should be better suited by this drop back to 1m2f. He’s surprisingly having his first run at the track though and is yet to win from three races this year. Sottsass heads over from France and is a useful sort and would not be shocked to see him fill one of the top three places, while Leo De Fury makes up the six runners and it would be a major shock if he’s good enough. Therefore, even though the main O’Brien runners will have their supporters, they’ve both seen the back of the Godolphin runner – GHAIYYATH – this season and it’s hard to see them reversing the form. Ghaiyyath is rated 130 and a clear 9lbs ahead of Japan and Magical. He heads here having won his last four that include the Coral Eclipse and the Juddmonte International – lowering the colours of Enable and Magical in the process. We can expect another big display from the front from the horse that many regard as the best middle-distance horse in training at the moment – it will be a big shock if he’s not adding this Group One to the three he’s already bagged this season.
