A dozen remain for the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes on Saturday, 14th September, with the hugely exciting Economics among them for William Haggas. The son of former 2000 Guineas hero Night Of Thunder has been hugely impressive this season, surging to a six-length victory in the Dante Stakes at York and defying a 91-day injury layoff to win the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville in August.
He will look to be the first British winner since Roaring Lion in 2018, and the first not to be trained by Aidan O’Brien over that same spell. The Ballydoyle maestro has extended a monopoly over this race, winning every running since 2019, with defending champion and 2023 Derby winner Auguste Rodin his principal flag bearer this season. The temperamental four-year-old has not always been on his best game this year, but sees out this distance very strongly on his day.
O’Brien is fortunate to rely on a luxury of options again, with the 2022 winner Luexmbourg also in the fray. He won the Coronation Cup this season to extend his record of winning a Group in every campaign, while Irish Derby winner Los Angeles may step back in trip. The son of Camelot has still only lost once on a racecourse.
Last year’s St Leger winner Continuous and pacemaker Hans Andersen make up the O’Brien ranks, though six other prospects remain to end his Irish Champion Stakes tyranny. Leading that charge are the ever-consistent Ghostwriter, third in both the Eclipse and Juddmonte International Stakes behind City Of Troy, and Japanese raider Shin Emperor, for whom this may be a high profile prep run for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. However, Yoshito Yahagi’s charge should not be underestimated in his quest for the double.
There is a trio maintaining French interest as well. French 2,000 Guineas winner Metropolitan may be set to step up in trip following game placed efforts in the St James’s Palace Stakes and Prix Jacques Le Marois over a mile. Another up in distance could be Facteur Cheval, a regular factor in Group 1 mile championships, with his stablemate Zarakem, runner-up to Auguste Rodin at Royal Ascot before disappointing in the Juddmonte, another slated to be involved. Karl Burke’s Royal Rhyme may continue his pursuit for a first Group 1 as well.
Irish Champion Stakes 2024 Runners
| Number | Horse | Trainer |
| 1 | Auguste Rodin | Aidan O’Brien |
| 2 | Continuous | Aidan O’Brien |
| 3 | Facteur Cheval | Jerome Reynier |
| 4 | Hans Andersen | Aidan O’Brien |
| 5 | Luxembourg | Aidan O’Brien |
| 6 | Royal Rhyme | Karl Burke |
| 7 | Zarakem | Jerome Reynier |
| 8 | Economics | William Haggas |
| 9 | Ghostwriter | Clive Cox |
| 10 | Los Angeles | Aidan O’Brien |
| 11 | Metropolitan | Mario Baratti |
| 12 | Shin Emperor | Yoshito Yahagi |
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.