The most valuable sporting star in action next weekend will be a multi-millionaire performing at Leopardstown.
Epsom and Irish Derby winner Australia will be the centre of attention on the inaugural Irish Champions’ Weekend taking place over two days at Leopardstown on Saturday and the Curragh on Sunday afternoon.
The weekend is a statement of intent around Ireland’s place in the world horse racing hierarchy and looks set to be a major success. There is prize money on offer of €3.75 million, making the races attractive to the very best and the sport and those around it in Ireland are welcoming visitors from around the world.
The main race, the Irish Champion Stakes, is sponsored this year for the first time by Quatari investment brand Quipco, the same company behind the success of the British equivalent of Champions’ weekend at Ascot and Newmarket in October.
European Triple Crown
The ultimate plan is to develop this weekend into the first leg of a European triple Crown of Championship races across a range of ages and distances. The second and third legs will be the Prix du l’Arc de Triomphe meeting at Paris followed by that English Champions’ Weekend to bring the flat racing season to a close.
Irish horses, owners, trainers and jockeys have dominated the sport for decades but this is the first time that a concerted and well backed effort has been made to attract the global sport to compete in Ireland.
On Saturday before racing there will be a public auction of 20 leading horses in the parade ring at Leopardstown. A similar event at Ascot last year, also run by Goffs Bloodstock Sales saw €1.3 million paid for the highest value horse and the buzz of the sales ring is something that will set pulses racing before the action get’s under way.
Sponsors
The list of sponsors that have been attracted to support this highest end of international sport on our doorstep is impressive. From John Deere brought on board from the USA to Jaguar.
Combination tickets giving access to both days racing have been on sale for only €30 making this accessible to all and the initiative deserves to be well supported by local racing fans and those curious to see how the highest society operates when at play.
There will also be a huge crowd at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night for the final of the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby, again one of the richest contests in the greyhound world and one that will have eyes focused from every continent.
We often think of sport as just being that of the two legged variety but Ireland will be front and centre stage on both four legged varieties over the coming days. It is a recognition of the long lasting success story that racing of both kinds brings to Irish sport.
