FASCINATING Rock headlined a great weekend for Ireland when he captured the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot. The race, first run in 1877 and held at Newmarket until 2011, was the centrepiece of an outstanding day’s racing and Dermot Weld’s joy at victory was evident.

It is no small wonder that Weld should be so pleased with the outcome as the race has been a notoriously difficult one to win for Irish horses. In its long and illustrious history only seven Irish-trained horses have won this 10-furlong contest. Indeed it was not until the race was staged for the 86th time that an Irish-trained winner appeared.