There are four Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ Challenge races at Longines-sponsored Irish Champions Weekend, starting with two at Leopardstown on Saturday including the nation’s most prestigious race, the €1m Irish Champion Stakes
Ireland: Jean-Claude Rouget and Christophe Soumillon bid to repeat their memorable 2016 win with Almanzor when fellow Prix Du Jockey Club winner Vadeni takes on six high-class rivals in a Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes with a purse of €1m.
Six years ago Almanzor came from well off the pace to beat Aidan O’Brien’s subsequent Prix de l’Arc De Triomphe winner Found and his dual fillies’ Classic winner Minding in a really strong running of this ‘Win And You’re In’ contest for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland on November 5.
Vadeni, who is also blessed with a smart turn of foot, followed his runaway Chantilly success by beating a strong field of older rivals in the Coral-Eclipse. He faces five G1 winners, including Mishriff, who was a somewhat unlucky second that day, and one-time Derby favourite Luxembourg, off the track 105 days before his recent G3 win. The three-year-old is one of three runners from the Aidan O’Brien stable bidding to give his trainer a fourth successive win in the race.
Joining Vadeni is a second French G1 winner in Onesto, whose connections felt he was unlucky in the Prix du Jockey Club, plus Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Alenquer.
A fabulous card for this first day of Longines Irish Champions weekend also features the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes, which is also part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge as a ‘Win And You're in’ contest for the Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf.
Dermot Weld, whose 2020 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Tarnawa was second in the Irish Champion Stakes 12 months ago, has the hot favourite Homeless Songs, who will be making her first appearance since her hugely impressive Irish 1,000 Guineas defeat of subsequent Oaks winner Tuesday.
Jane Chapple-Hyam saddles the main danger in Saffron Beach, who was winning her second G1 when beating Tenebrism in last month’s Prix Rothschild at Deauville.
Key contenders
Vadeni (Jean-Claude Rouget/Christophe Soumillon) – impressed in Prix du Jockey Club and showed a smart turn of foot when beating his elders, headed by Mishriff, in Coral-Eclipse; targeted for this ever since, with Arc seemingly never considered; surely has more to offer.
Mishriff (John & Thady Gosden/Colin Keane) – yet to win this season and prone to start slowly these days but arguably unlucky when strong-finishing neck second to Vadeni in Coral-Eclipse; best of rest when second to TRC Global Rankings #1 Baaeed in Juddmonte International; stud next year and connections looking at Breeders’ Cup for final start; prefers faster ground.
Luxembourg (Aidan O’Brien/Ryan Moore) – Derby ante-post favourite following eye-catching third in 2000 Guineas but was ruled out by a muscular issue; unimpressive in G3 on last month’s return but had a difficult preparation and so expected to improve considerably; still held in highest regard.
Onesto (Fabrice Chappet/Stephane Pasquier) – given plenty to do and was still last into the straight when fifth behind Vadeni in Prix du Jockey Club; subsequently stepped up to 1m4f to land Grand Prix de Paris.
Shall we talk about it?
Christophe Soumillon, rider of Vadeni: “Vadeni and Almanzor are quite similar. Both have great acceleration. What Vadeni did at Sandown was amazing because it's probably one of the UK's toughest tracks, beating so many great horses with a lot of experience.” (speaking to the Racing Post)
Ryan Moore, rider of Luxembourg: “He needed his run at the Curragh and he got the job done. We'd be hopeful that he'll come forward from it and a mile and a quarter at Leopardstown and a bit of rain around, that won't be a problem. I think we'll see a better version of him.”
Ted Voute, racing manager to the owner of Mishriff:“With a stud career on the horizon it would be nice to get another win next to his name. He is in good order and it looks the right race for him as he likes going left-handed.” (speaking to the Racing Post)
Fabrice Chappet, trainer of Onesto:“He was a bit keen early on [in Grand Prix de Paris] but he showed his good turn of foot. He came from nowhere in the Prix du Jockey Club and he was a very good winner before that in the Prix Greffulhe. The pedigree suggested he would stay but he's got plenty of speed as well; he'll win 10-furlong races going forward.” speaking to Paris-Turf
Graham Dench’s verdict
Underfoot conditions are crucial here, and in the expectation of softish ground VADENI makes plenty of appeal. He coped with quickish ground at Sandown but showed a devastating change of gear in the mud previously at Chantilly. Mishriff prefers it much quicker, but Luxembourg was very good in soft ground at Doncaster last year and it won’t be a problem for Onesto either.
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