Nine juvenile colts put their reputations and Derby credentials on the line in the first Group 1 of Irish Champions Festival, the HKJC World Pool Golden Fleece Stakes, and there was also pressure on the nine-furlong contest itself to produce a winner to justify the race’s promotion to Group 1 status this term.

Ballydoyle landed last year’s running with the 2026 Epsom Derby favourite and Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini, and were responsible for a third of Saturday’s field, including even-money favourite Darkness Falls, who won a Curragh maiden by seven lengths two weeks prior.