History will decide how the 2024 Irish Champion Stakes (G1) ranks among the Group 1s with the prestigious title, but for now we can enjoy an encounter as compelling as any that has come before.
As the gloves were removed in a straight line, for a moment it looked as if Economy William Haggas’ Dante Stakes (G2) winner could be overwhelmed as rider Ryan Moore delivers Auguste Rodin wide with a formidable challenge. Moore put last year’s winner in front in the distance, and he was not beaten often from there.
Riders Tom Marquand and Economics actually had to win the race twice, but they responded to the challenge with flying colors. Marquand kept asking and Economics kept answering, eventually winning by a neck.
Let’s watch it again! 🤩
Economics wins the Royal Bahrain Irish Championship and secures his place in the @LonginesEq #BreedersCup Congratulations on all the connections! #WE
Rider: Tom Marquand
Coach: William Haggas
Owner: Isa Salman Al Khalifa
Breeder:… pic.twitter.com/ZG2M4s2eIi— Breeders Cup (@BreedersCup) September 14, 2024
Japanese Raiders Emperor Shin and Auguste Rodin’s stablemate Los Angeles quickly came from behind to complete their Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) preparation in excellent fashion in third and fourth place.
For owner Economics Sheikh Isa, who played a key role in the Kingdom of Bahrain sponsoring the Leopardstown event, it was a dream result. They had skipped the Derby (G1) to take the less urgent route to the top, so it was a stunning vindication of Haggas’ judgment.
“He has now proven to everyone that he is a real horse,” said the successful owner after Economics proved a 7-4 bias. “I have waited a long time for a horse like him and now we have one. He has beaten some of the best horses in the world and it is great for the Kingdom of Bahrain.”
Haggas won the Irish championship for the first time. He was a man of few words but you sensed it was a satisfying victory.
“It didn’t look great but he did the job,” he said of Economics’ resilient performance. “It was a relief. I liked the way he kept his head down in the last furlong, he really put his head down.”
Haggis believes the Champion Stakes (G1) on October 19 at Ascot will be next.
If his contacts want to pursue it, he also has a shot at the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) on November 2 at Del Mar via Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and Win.
O’Brien and Moore took their hats off at Economics and expressed their satisfaction with Auguste Rodin, who will now be trained for the Japan Cup (G1) on November 24.
In other Breeders’ Cup Challenge Race action on the Leopardstown card, Fortuna Gate won the Matron Stakes (G1) and Green Impact Junior Championship (G2).
Matron serves as a qualifying candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T) on November 2 at Del Mar, and Champions Juvenile serves as a qualifying candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) on November 1 there.
Porta Fortuna’s trainer Donnacha O’Brien said she will run the shorter Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) in a match against a stallion.
“I don’t think we’ll go to Sun Chariot (October 5), although I’ll have to confirm with the owner,” her trainer said. “She’s going to have an easy week or two now and we thought if she won here she’d skip Newmarket and we’d prepare her for America.”
