THERE is no doubt but that Irish Champions Festival is the biggest and best flat racing weekend of the year in Ireland.

It has six Group 1 events spread over two eight-race cards and more than €5 million in prize money.

Next Saturday’s headline event at Leopardstown is the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes. The certain favourite is Delacroix, returning to the scene of his two early-season Derby trial victories.

A devastating winner of the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, he was no match for his old rival Ombudsman at York but now looks to have an outstanding chance of returning to the winner’s enclosure on home turf.

However, Delacroix will have a new rider at Leopardstown. His regular rider Ryan Moore is injured and Wayne Lordan, who rode Delacroix in the Leopardstown Derby Trial, is suspended. Christophe Soumillon has reportedly been booked to ride for Delacroix’s connections at Irish Champions Festival.

It’s almost 30 years since Johnny Murtagh won his only Irish Champions Stakes on the Aga Khan-owned Timarida (1996).

Now Murtagh has a great chance of training the winner of the same race for the late Aga Khan with Zahrann, a rapidly-improving three-year-old colt.

The Night Of Thunder colt was impressive in the Royal Whip Stakes last time out but this represents a huge rise in class. He will be suited by the recent rain.

From Japan comes the well-travelled Shin Emperor.

A close third in this race last year, he subsequently ran well below his best in both the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and Dubai Sheema Classic but has to be respected, especially if the rain stays away.

The Coolmore America Justify Matron Stakes has a reputation for throwing up some fairytale winners and what a result it would be next Saturday at Leopardstown if Cercene could win the Group 1 mile for Fethard trainer Joe Murphy.

Of course Cercene has already proven her Group 1 credentials at Royal Ascot, where she won the Coronation Stakes at 33/1.

Back in third spot that day was the Aidan O’Brien-trained January who has since gone very close against older fillies in both the Falmouth Stakes and Prix Rothschild.

In the latter race at Deauville, January was just headed by Fallen Angel and that former Irish 1000 Guineas winner is expected to run at Leopardstown too.

Meanwhile Cercene tried 10 furlongs on heavy ground at Goodwood and, under the circumstances, was not disgraced in finishing a distant second to Whirl.

ROYAL BAHRAIN IRISH CHAMPION STAKES

Latest betting: 5/4 Delacroix, 11/2 Zahrann, 6 Shin Emperor, 8 Anmaat, 10 White Birch, 12 bar.

LAST year three of the four Group 1 races run on the second day of Irish Champions Festival at the Curragh produced championship displays.

There was Lake Victoria beating a classy field in the Moyglare Stud Stakes, Bradsell following up his Nunthorpe win in the Bar One Flying Five, and Kyprios starring in the Comer Group International Irish St Leger.

And while Scorthy Lad has so far failed to build on his win in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes, runner-up Henri Matisse won this year’s Poule d’Essai des Poulains.

Next weekend’s Curragh cast is certainly not lacking in quality. Kyprios may be gone (actually he will be on parade!) but stable companions Jan Brueghel and Illinois are on course for the Irish St Leger, which should make it as good a staying race as run anywhere in Europe so far this season.

The two Ballydoyle-trained four-year-olds finished first and second in the St Leger at Doncaster last year.

Bradsell was crowned champion European sprinter last season by virtue of his York-Curragh double and now the Australian mare Asfoora could do the same. It’s believed that this will be the first time an Australian-trained horse has raced in Ireland.

The sprint division has been wide open and hard to predict all year. In the Bar One Flying Five, Asfoora is likely to again face the likes of She’s Quality, Arizona Blaze and Night Raider, all down the field at York. But perhaps Asfoora’s biggest danger will be Bucanero Fuerte from the Adrian Murray/Amo Racing team.

A Group 1 winner at this track as a two-year-old, he had a brief spell at stud this spring before being returned to the track. He has won both his starts to-date, including a competitive Group 3 here a month ago, and demands huge respect.

As usual, Aidan O’Brien has a lot of possible contenders for both the Moyglare Stud Stakes and Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes. You can read more about the trainer’s plans on pages 12-13.

Excluding the champion trainer for a moment, if there’s another trainer worth following blind at Irish Champions Festival it’s Karl Burke. The Yorkshire man is no stranger to big race success in Ireland and every year his Middleham yard seems to be getting stronger.

As mentioned elsewhere on these pages, Burke is expected to send Fallen Angel to Leopardstown for a race he previously won with Laurens. He also has the improving Royal Champion in the Irish Champion Stakes.

On Sunday at the Curragh his biggest chance of a winner will be Venetian Sun in the Moyglare Stud Stakes. Burke nominated this race for the Starman filly as soon as she won the Prix Morney two weeks ago.

Burke also plans to run the teak-tough Al Qareem in the Comer Group International Irish St Leger, and he has made a number of interesting entries in the supporting race across both days.

Charity Auction

WATCH out for the Irish Champions Festival Charity Auction in aid of Cancer Fund for Children, an important charity supporting children and families impacted by cancer.

Lot 1: Kildare Champion Experience - luxury stay at Barberstown Castle Hotel, tasting menu, yard visit to Ross & Katie O’Sullivan’s yard & fireside chat with Dylan Browne McMonagle.

Lot 2: Meath Champion Experience - mornings on the gallops and yard visits with Ger Lyons and Gordon Elliott, plus dinner and stay at Bellinteer House.

Lot 3: National Hunt Champions Experience - visit Willie Mullins’ Closutton yard, stay at Lord Bagenal Inn, plus signed Rachael Blackmore memorabilia.

Lot 4: London Experience - a private suite for 20 at The O2 to see Jamiroquai live this December.

Lot 5: Leopardstown sponsorship experience - sponsorship and naming rights to the prestigious €100,000 Nasrullah Premier Handicap on July 9th, 2026. Includes private suite hospitality for 30.

Online bidding closes at midnight on Friday, September 12th. The highest three lots go to a ‘live’ auction hosted by Goffs at approximately 3pm in the parade ring on Saturday.

Web: Click here to see items list and bids

Style Awards

Ireland’s premier menswear retailer Louis Copeland and family-owned luxury hotel group Ardán Collective are sponsoring the ‘Champions of Style’ Award. The judging panel includes Louis Copeland, Aoife Dunican of The Stylebob, stylist Sarah Kate Byrne, Greg O’Shea and Jeanni Mulder. Style spotting will begin around the Champions Garden Party from 12.15pm and the winners will be announced on stage at 4.30pm.

The most stylish man will receive a made-to-measure suit valued at €1,000. Two runners-up will receive a made-to-measure shirt, each valued at €250.

For the ladies, Ardán Collective will award three luxurious prizes drawn from their portfolio of hotel properties. First prize is a weekend in London for two in The Exhibitionist Hotel, a boutique hotel in Kensington.

Jockey Cam VR Experience

Racegoers will be invited to jump into the action with a virtual flat racing experience and compete with friends to see who can make it as a top flat jockey. This free experience will run all day and will be located in The Yard Area at Leopardstown. It will also be available at the Curragh.

Boots Pop-Up

In the Champions Garden, you will find a pop-up make-up station with professional make-up artists providing tips and make-up touch-ups using the No 7 Pro Artist Range.

Channel your inner Jerry

Watch out for members of the Leopardstown social media team who will be encouraging racegoers to provide their own race commentary. It could be a laugh or it could be the start of a new career!

Photo opportunity

Racegoers will have the opportunity to have photographs taken of themselves with the trophy for the Group 1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes before it is awarded to the connections of the winner.

The Champions Garden

Throughout Saturday, The Champions Garden is the hub of entertainment, with a tipster panel before racing, music from The Swing Cats during the day, and music after racing.

Thank you, Kyprios

Fans will have the chance to bid farewell to the legendary Kyprios, who will make one final appearance in the parade ring following his retirement earlier this year. The Moyglare Stud-bred star won 17 races in his career, including two editions of the Irish St Leger.

Conversations with Robbie Irwin

Step into the heart of racing in the Curragh’s Champions Hall and join Robbie Irwin for exclusive behind-the-scenes conversations with jockeys and trainers.

Rosé & Runway

Fashion will be in full bloom with the Rosé & Runway Event, sponsored by Whispering Angel. Themed “a hint of blush,” the style competition will be judged by Naomi Clarke, aka The Style Fairy, alongside stylist Marietta Doran and Jeanni Mulder, fiancée of Greg O’Shea who will accompany Jeanni on the day.

One lucky winner will walk away with a luxurious two-night bed and breakfast stay in a golf-side bedroom at The Europe Hotel & Resort in Co Kerry including a decadent evening meal for two, two indulgent spa treatments at the world-class ESPA, and a bottle of Whispering Angel to share.

Carnival at the Curragh

Families can enjoy the Carnival at the Curragh and the Moyglare Kids Zone, featuring stilt walkers, magic shows, bumper cars, carousels, face painting and much more. There will also be access to Irish racing’s only permanent sensory room for children of all needs, who require a quiet break during the day.

Feel the thrill!

Missed the Virtual Reality Jockey Cam at Leopardstown? Or perhaps you just want a second shot in the saddle? Here’s your chance!

On Sunday racegoers at the Curragh can experience the rush of flat racing through VR. Step into the saddle, compete with friends, and see who crosses the winning line first!

Enjoy the vibes

Live music will fill the racecourse with Ceili Cottage greeting guests at the entrance, fiddle player Nicole Lonergan roaming the grounds, and the Rolling Tones Vinyl Van entertaining in the Paddock Bar. Between races, the Rambling Rovers will perform in Lilywhites Lounge, which is becoming a firm favourite with regular Curragh attendees and includes great views of the track.

World Pool

All races on Saturday and the four Group 1 races on Sunday are part of the World Pool, which enables bettors worldwide to bet into the same pool as those at Leopardstown and the Curragh. Bigger pools offer more chances of big wins, especially on exotic bets such as the Quinella. Bet on World Pool through Tote on track.

Ticket information

General admission tickets for each day from €35 are available online.

Leopardstown: Premium Level tickets are selling fast at €95. Hospitality is almost sold out. There’s only few tables left in the upper pavillion, with a three-course buffet dining experience for €210 per person.

Curragh: Hospitality now sold out. Please contact the racecourse directly to join waiting list.

Web: irishchampionsfestival.ie

Getting to Irish Champions Festival

Leopardstown has increased the frequency and locations of shuttle services for its festivals which now cover Naas and Red Cow, Heuston Station, Sandyford Luas, Blackrock DART, and Talbot Hotel Stillorgan. Buses from Naas and Heuston Station must be pre-booked.

The return fare is €10. Free Luas shuttle buses are available throughout the day from the Sandyford Luas to the racetrack.

The Curragh will operate a complimentary raceday bus service from Kildare, Newbridge, and Naas town centres.

Complimentary onward buses also run from Kildare and Newbridge train stations to coincide with the mainline train services.

Train times and full details of bus collections and drop-offs can be found HERE.