Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes Preview
Plans have yet to be finalised, but the much-anticipated re-match between dual Guineas winner Henrythenavigator and Derby winner New Approach could well be on the cards in the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 6th, a race that is, yet again, shaping up to be one of the highlights of the racing year.
The recent history of the Leopardstown feature has been dominated by titanic duels – Dylan Thomas v Ouija Board, High Chaparral v Falbrav, Grandera v Hawk Wing, Fantastic Light v Galileo – and this one could be as good as any that have gone before.
Ballydoyle’s Henrythenavigator and the Jim Bolger-trained New Approach have already crossed swords three times. Last year, it was the Bolger colt who came out on top in the Futurity Stakes, but Aidan O’Brien’s representative has exacted his revenge this season, twice, by a nose in the Guineas at Newmarket, and then by a length and three quarters in the Irish equivalent at The Curragh. Since then New Approach has captured the Epsom Derby while Henrythenavigator has gone on to land the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. A re-match over the intermediate distance of 10 furlongs would be the quintessential test.
The Irish Champion Stakes is one of three races that has been mentioned by Bolger as a possible target for New Approach and, while Henrythenavigator has never gone beyond a mile, the Breeders’ Cup Classic over 10 furlongs appears to be on his radar. It may be significant that Giant’s Causeway and Hawk Wing, both Ballydoyle colts, took in the Irish Champion Stakes before their respective attempts at landing the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2000 and 2002 respectively.
But O’Brien, who has been responsible for the last three winners of the Irish Champion Stakes, as well as the first three home last year, is not relying solely on Henrythenavigator at this stage. Duke Of Marmalade, winner of four Group 1 contests already this season, including the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on his latest run, and Soldier Of Fortune, winner of last year’s Irish Derby and this year’s Coronation Cup, are among the older Ballydoyle horses who still hold entries, while an interesting entry is Listen, last year’s Fillies’ Mile winner who has yet to make her debut this season.
Dermot Weld has confirmed that his Epsom Derby third and Irish Derby runner-up Casual Conquest is on track for the race, having been added at the second forfeit stage, while the potential overseas challenge looks strong, headed by the Michael Stoute-trained Promising Lead, Godolphin’s Rio De La Plata, and a quintet from the Henry Cecil yard, including Phoenix Tower and Twice Over.
The Group 1 Coolmore Fuasichi Pegasus Matron Stakes on the same day boasts entries from some of the top middle distance fillies and mares in training in Europe, including Halfway To Heaven, Lush Lashes, Finsceal Beo, Mad About You, Listen, Spacious and Darjina.