Economics held off a late charge from Auguste Rodin and won the Irish Champion Stakes (G1) by a neck on Saturday at Leopardstown, the first day of the Irish Champions Festival.
Economics (8), ridden by Tom Marquand, wins the Royal Bahrain Irish Champions Stakes during the Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown Racecourse in Leopardstown, Dublin, Ireland photo by Scott Serio/Eclipse Sportswire/CSM
Porta Fortuna wins Matron, Green Impact takes Champions Juvenile
Unbeaten in four races in 2024, the 3-year-old colt earned an all-fees paid, automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) on Nov. 2 at Del Mar. The 1¼-mile Irish Champion is part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In’’ challenge series.
In two other “Win and You’re In’’ races at Leopardstown, favorite Porta Fortuna edged Fallen Angel ay a length in the Matron Stakes and Green Impact topped Delacroix by a half-length in the Champions Juvenile.
Irish Champion Stakes: Economics is Real Deal
Yes, Economics was sent off as the 7-4 favorite over 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner. And he lived up to expectations by catching 2022 Irish Champion winner in the closing straight and hanging on to win after a late surge by Aidan O’Brien-trained August Rodin, who won this race last year.
“He’s not only a very good racehorse, he’s a proper warrior,” winning jockey Tom Marquand, who earlier won the Matron with Porta Fortuna, told the Irish Times. “It’s so hard taking on horses that know what’s happening and that course knowledge is big as well. He was exceptional.”
Auguste Rodin had already earned an all-fees paid, automatic berth in the BC Turf by winning the Prince of Wales (G1) at Ascot in June. However, Auguste Rodin’s next race is likely the Japan Cup (G1) on Nov. 24, while Economics may run next in the Champion Stakes (G1) at Ascot next month.
Matron Stakes: Make That Three Straight G1’s for Porta Fortuna
Porta Fortuna affirmed her status as a leading 3-year-old filly with her third straight Grade 1 victory. In addition, the win over Fallen Angel avenged her lone defeat in 2024, when she finished second in the 1000 Guineas (G1) at Newmarket in May.
Porta Fortuna, trained by Donnacha O’Brien, earned a spot in the Breeders’ Cup and is likely to run in the Breeders’ Cup Mile(G1). Last year, the filly finished second in the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1).
“We’ll take her home and see how she is but all being well we’ll be going to Del Mar,’’ O’Brien told the Irish Times. “She’ll get an easy week or two. I’ll have to confirm with the owners, but we had it in our heads that if she won here, she’d skip Newmarket (Sun Chariot Stakes), and we’d prep her for America.”
Champion Juvenile: Green Impact Gains Breeder’s Cup Berth
Green Impact pulled a mild upset, topping Aidan O’Brien-trained favorite Delacroix by a half-length for an all-fess paid, automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1)
Shane Foley was aboard for winning trainer Mrs. John Harrington.