THE countdown is well and truly underway for the Saturday spectacular that kicks off the 2023 Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown.

Day one alone of the top-tier weekend sees a total of €2.5 million up for grabs in prize money, headlined by the €1.25 million Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes.

Unsurprisingly, there are some star names in the mix for the feature event. It boasts a rich roll of honour, which this century alone includes the likes of Giant’s Causeway (2000), Fantastic Light (2001), High Chaparral (2003), Azamour (2004), Dylan Thomas (2006 and 2007), New Approach (2008), Sea the Stars (2009), So You Think (2011), Snow Fairy (2012), Golden Horn (2015), Almanzor (2016), Roaring Lion (2018), Magical (2019 and 2020) and St Mark’s Basilica (2021). Only champions need apply.

Auguste Rodin is a fascinating contender for 2023 honours. A brilliant Derby winner at Epsom who won in workmanlike fashion at the Curragh before blowing out in the King George at Ascot, he arrives with questions to answer.

That said, last year’s winner Luxembourg - also trained by Aidan O’Brien and set to launch a defence of his crown next weekend - managed to overcome an imperfect preparation on his way to Leopardstown success in 2022. The vibes from Ballydoyle surrounding Auguste Rodin appear to be increasingly positive.

British challenger

King Of Steel, who posted a massive effort on just his third lifetime start at Epsom when runner-up to Auguste Rodin, bypassed the Juddmonte International Stakes in favour of a rematch in the Irish Champion. He could be ideally suited by this 10-furlong test.

The highly talented filly Nashwa, who divided Mostahdaf and Paddington at York, is reportedly on course for Leopardstown. Unbeaten in his last four starts, the Owen Burrows-trained Alflaila is expected to be supplemented for the race next Tuesday.

Group 1 winner Al Riffa is also still under consideration for the Irish Champion showdown, while the 2022 narrow runner-up to Luxembourg, Onesto, is prominent in the ante-post markets for France.

There are two Group 1s on the card, though, including the €400,000 Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes over a mile for fillies and mares.

Weld superstar

A new name will be on the roll of honour this year, and there’s every chance it will be Dermot Weld and the Aga Khan’s outstanding three-year-old Tahiyra. This contest has been nominated as the Irish 1000 Guineas heroine’s first autumn target ever since her awesome success in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Like Auguste Rodin, who won the Group 2 Golden Fleece Stakes at this meeting 12 months ago, Tahiyra is on track for back-to-back Irish Champions Festival wins following her devastatingly impressive Moyglare Stud Stakes strike.

Elsewhere on the card, all eyes will be on classic contender Diego Velazquez as he steps into blacktype company for the first time in the Golden Fleece Stakes, while the Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle Stakes often produces a classy two-year-old filly.

The Dullingham Park Stakes and Paddy Power Stakes are always competitive affairs and this year should be no different. Leopardstown’s day-one action is rounded off with a pair of €150,000 contests, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF-backed Petingo and Sovereign Path Premier Handicaps.

Day 1 - Leopardstown

The day’s racecard

1.45 Ballylinch Stud Irish Ebf Ingabelle Stakes (Listed)

2.15 Golden Fleece Stakes (Group 2)

2.45 Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes (Group 1)

3.20 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1)

3.55 Dullingham Park Stakes (Group 2)

4.30 Paddy Power Stakes (Group 3)

5.05 Irish Stallion Farms Ebf Sovereign Path Premier Handicap

5.40 Irish Stallion Farms Ebf Petingo Handicap

Expert preview of

racing, rugby and golf

GET to Leopardstown early to watch the Paddy Power ‘From The Horse’s Mouth’ Preview at 12.30pm to 1.15pm. Hear the views of informed racing professionals and find out which horses are being backed. As a bonus, racegoers are promised some tips for the Irish Open Golf and the Rugby World Cup.

You won’t miss a thing

SPORTS fans who wish to follow Ireland’s opening Rugby World Cup game versus Romania, or the Irish Open Golf next Saturday, can rest assured that all the action will be shown on screens around the Leopardstown enclosure and in the bars throughout the day.

The party never stops at Leopardstown!

HITMAKER Mark McCabe proved a winner with racegoers when he performed at Leopardstown this summer and he is back there on Saturday for a banging set after racing. During racing there will be performances from Bazza Band and DJ Lance West.

Special sports package looks excellent value

COME and celebrate an incredible weekend of sport under one roof at the Leopardstown Pavilion on Saturday. The €120 ‘Drive, Try and Race’ package includes a private preview of the day’s racing, Irish Open and Rugby World Cup from Shane Crosse, Eamonn Darcy and Sean Cronin. You also have a reserved table for the day, grazing menu with babecue options, and live music after racing.

Book: irishchampionsfestival.ie

Get the value and buy your tickets in advance!

RACING folk love a bit of good value, so be sure to back a winner right now by securing your tickets for Irish Champions Festival in advance.

A one-day adult ticket is €35 and a weekend ticket is €60, if ordered online in advance. Students and seniors can snap up €25 daily tickets online. There are also various value-for-money packages available to suit all budgets.

For example, Leopardstown’s €49 bundle package includes a €13.50 food voucher, €5 bet and racecard. There’s also an Irish Champions Pavilion Mezzanine package priced at €185, or you can get premium level grandstand access for €90.

Gates open at 11.45am on Saturday and remember there are free shuttle bus services from both Sandyford Luas station and Blackrock DART station.

Tickets: irishchampionsfestival.ie