Irish Champion Stakes Guide 2021

Three time Group One winning colt St Mark's Basilica for Aidan O'Brien, with this three year old being arguably the horse of the season.

At the end of his juvenile career he truly showed just how good he can be when taking the Group One Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, having finished a close third in the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes before.

This season he picked up from where he left off by taking the Group One French 2000 Guineas on seasonal debut and then at the start of June on his first try at an extended trip he took to it superbly to land the French Derby.

Staying at 1m2f he took on superstars Addeybb and Mishriff in the Coral Eclipse and blew them away, taking the Group One by close to four lengths.

The form of that race has taken a big upgrade and if improving like he has all season he could be tough to catch.

The five year old had an unbelievable season last term racing four times and going on to win all of her events with ease.

She started her campaign off at Cork in a Group Three event over 1m4f for fillies and she managed to see off Group Two winner Cayenne Pepper comfortably.

Off the back of that prep run she headed straight over to France for the Group One Prix Vermeille, where she took on horses like Dame Malliott and Raabihah and on good ground she blitzed the field by three lengths.

The five year old showed her versatility in terms of ground next time out when landing a hat-trick in the 1m2f Group One Prix de l'Opera on heavy ground, beating Alpine Star who had some serious form.

Having had an unbelievable season already, Weld sent his star mare to America for the Breeders Cup Turf at Keeneland and on firm ground she needed every bit of the 1m4f to land the event.

That was her best performance to date, coming all the way round the field to see off the likes of multiple Group One winners Magical, Lord North and Mogul.

Having been waited on for later this season she returned in the Group Three Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown and although her trainer explained she would need the run, she still went on to win by close to seven lengths.

She is said to have come out of the race well and could be a big danger to the favourite.

What a revelation this horse has been this season. His 2 year old campaign finished with a brilliant Group 3 victory but he’s since ascended to the very top of the 3 year old 1 mile division.

Winning a listed race at Leopardstown over 7 furlongs on seasonal comeback put him in perfect condition to win the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket by a short head to Master Of The Seas.

Connections tried to be audacious and capture a 1 mile classic treble as he attempted both the French and Irish Guineas within three weeks. Coming 6th and 2nd respectively, he showed his hardiness by putting in massive shows in a short space of time.

Next seen running away with the St James’ Palace Stakes, Jim Bolger’s stable star spread eagled the field and established himself as the best in his age range.

He has been seen twice more since then finishing a narrow second in the Sussex Stakes and then at Deauville in the Prix Jacques Le Marois.

He steps up to 1m2f and if handling this trip is a value player.

The final runner of the race is the 66/1 outsider of the field Patrick Sarsfield for Joseph O'Brien who is a nice horse in his own right but looks out of place in this field full of Group One winners.

The five year old has been seen twice this season, finishing second on both occasions, the last time out in the Listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot and although nice form, it's not good enough in this race.

Will be a huge shock if he wins.