Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) delivered in the highlight race of the day–the G1 Irish Champion S. This was the third year World Pool was in operation on the Irish card, and turnover was almost on par with 2022's figure of HK$234.8m (approx. €27.9m) and significantly up on 2021's figure of HK$192.8m (€22.9m).

Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director, Wagering Products, at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said, “We were treated to some excellent racing at Leopardstown on Saturday and it was really pleasing to see such strong turnover on the day. Aidan O'Brien continued his love affair with the Irish Champion S., while Tahiyra was hugely impressive once again in the Matron S.

“The whole racing industry in Ireland has really embraced the World Pool concept. There was lots of fantastic branding all over the course; strong, competitive fields and we are delighted with how these World Pool meetings are progressing.

“Thanks to everyone at Leopardstown, Horse Racing Ireland and Tote Ireland, as well as all the connections of the runners. We're already looking forward to our Irish World Pool fixtures next year.”

The World Pool Moment of the Day was awarded to groom Davy Glennon, whose Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) was winning her third consecutive Group 1 and fourth overall in the Matron S. at Leopardstown. Besides the €4,000 monetary award, Glennon is now in the running to win a trip to Hong Kong in 2024, if Tahiyra's Matron victory is selected as the World Pool Moment of the Year.

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Trained by Owen Burrows, Alflaila is on a four-race winning skein, taking the July 29 G2 York S. over the same course and distance as the International.

“It's unlikely at this stage that we would run the two against each other, I would think,” said Shadwell's racing manager Angus Gold.

“God willing, Mostahdaf stays in good shape–he'll be the one to represent [in the International]. Obviously, we will leave Alflaila in just in case something went wrong.”

“Sheikha Hissa may decide to run the two together. But at the same time if he didn't go there, we may look to supplement Alflaila for the Irish Champion.”

Shadwell has also penciled in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks for Al Husn (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), victorious in the G1 Nassau S. at Goodwood in her latest start Aug. 3. The 4-year-old is trained by Roger Varian.

“She's never run over this trip before and nobody has ever particularly said she needs that trip,” said Gold. “She's so tough and she's such a little star of a filly that she might well stay. On pedigree, the mare [Hadaatha] I think would have stayed–she was by Sea The Stars out of a Linamix mare. And Al Husn's by Dubawi–they can do anything.

“She a very easy filly to ride and she's got a heart the same size as her. So, she might well get it and it would be fun to try it, but we're in the luxurious position of her already being a Group 1 winner now, so we'll just see how Roger and his team feel she is and whether she's ready to go again.”

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The consistent Coolmore runner is six-for-seven and has won the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas, G1 St James's Palace S., the G1 Eclipse and the G1 Sussex S. in succession.

“He's good and everything is good so far with him. The Juddmonte is still the plan,” said O'Brien.

Ballydoyle's master trainer also had an update on G1 Derby and G1 Irish Derby hero Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who ran too poorly to be true in the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot last out. The G1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown during Irish Champions Weekend in September is next for the 2022 G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy s. victor.

He added, “He's good and he's on the Leopardstown programme at the moment. He's done two or three pieces and everything has been lovely so far.”

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Perhaps it is a date with Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) that now awaits Luxembourg, who was providing the Westerberg connection with its greatest day. “The plan was always the Guineas, the Derby, the Irish Derby and then a rest before this and then the Arc,” the ultimate target-trainer revealed as he basked in an astounding 11th Irish Champion for his team. “That was the dream and we felt if we could get him back then it would be three races for him–the Curragh, here and the Arc. We went to the Royal Whip when he was ready to do a piece of work, so that was a massive one–you don't usually send a horse to a group race with 20 to 30 per cent of improvement to come. When he did what he did there, we knew we had a chance.”

Luxembourg, who had dazzled with his sectionals on debut at Killarney in July and in The Curragh's G2 Beresford S. in September, had cut a different figure when less flashy in Doncaster's end-of-term examination but was nevertheless able to safeguard his unbeaten record in comfortable fashion. Stumbling leaving the stalls for the 2000 Guineas before it all unravelled on the Rowley Mile, he was still on the heels of the Godolphin pair at the death that day so it was cruel that the public was denied what would have been a clash to remember with Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) at Epsom. After that contemporary had run away with the blue riband, it was remarkable how quickly Ballydoyle's number one was cast from the story.

With his Royal Whip re-entry only a workmanlike one, he had plenty to prove here against a small but stellar cast who all had the jump on him as far as race-hardening goes. As it turned out, what his rivals both the same age and older had in hand in that regard was negated by the obvious class advantage that he possesses and which was only evident as he crossed the line. As expected, his stablemate Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) set a demanding pace as he waited along with the French duo, detached just far enough that there was no slackening of the rope. With the 7-4 favourite Vadeni forced to go towards the inside approaching the furlong pole, it was clear that the Aga Khan's star colt was too far adrift from Luxembourg and Onesto's private argument which the Ballydoyle runner won with a decisive final thrust 50 yards out.

“Since the Royal Whip, he's had tough hard graft and has taken it with a smile on his face which is unusual,” O'Brien added. “He was very much on the back foot the minute he got injured, but we knew that what he did in the Guineas meant that he was really good and a little bit different. He is brave too, he had to take it all and he had to fight again today. This is for a lot of people, for Killian who rides him every day, Stephen who rides his lead horse, Derek who looks after him, Jamie who is in charge of him, Wayne who rides him in all his work and Ryan who gave him an incredible ride. We didn't think we'd get him to The Curragh, but we had to push for it and the team made it happen.”

Christophe Soumillon believed that Vadeni's level dipped slightly from the Jockey Club and Eclipse, “I was very confident throughout the race–he was travelling probably a bit keen but not over-racing, just a bit fresh,” he explained. “He gave a little blow as Mishriff came to my outside and then quickened quite well but I'm sure he was not at 100 per cent and the ground is not for him. It is a little bit loose on top and not like it was at Sandown or Chantilly. If I had been able to stay out there and follow Ryan I would have, but I could feel the horse give a little blow and I wanted to give him a bit longer to recover. You still have to respect him, there are big races coming for him and the French Derby formline is there with Onesto running so well. I would probably have finished a bit closer with a clearer run, but I'm sure the winner is a great horse as well.”

Jean-Claude Rouget revealed that there will be no meeting with the winner and Baaeed in Paris for Vadeni. “He was having to do a slalom, like in skiing, so it was quite a good run,” he said. “He was in front of Mishriff like he was last time and we can't win every race. I think he was a bit unlucky, but I think the result is correct with a very strong pace in front. I don't know what the plan is, but not the Arc. Maybe he goes to Ascot [for the Oct. 15 G1 Qipco British Champion S.] if the ground is better.”

Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), who was an honest fourth without ever threatening, could be Breeders' Cup-bound according to Prince Faisal's racing manager Ted Voute. “Post-race, John Gosden would like to consider the Breeders' Cup Turf over a mile and a half,” he said. “Colin Keane felt the ground was drying and felt a bit dead, which he wasn't happy on. He finished well, considering. Prince Faisal has said that the Breeders' Cup wasn't out of the question, provided he comes out of the race well.”

Pedigree Notes

Luxembourg, who is one of his sire's 10 group 1 winners and arguably the leader of the pack after this performance, is out of Attire (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) who also produced the G2 Mooresbridge S. scorer Leo De Fury (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and the G3 1000 Guineas Trial-placed Sense Of Style (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). She is a full-sister to the G3 Glorious S. winner Forgotten Voice (Ire) and kin to the G3 Prix de Flore scorer Australie (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), who is in turn responsible for the listed winner and G3 Diamond S.-placed Hawke (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}) and is the second dam of this year's Listed Churchill S. winner and G3 Tyros S. runner-up Hellsing (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}).

Also connected to the Listed Criterium de Lyon scorer and G3 Prix Thomas Bryon runner-up Private Jet (Fr) (Aussie Rules) and the Listed Prix Marchand d'Or winner and G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis runner-up Princedargent (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}), Attire is a granddaughter of the esteemed Wildenstein matriarch Albertine (Fr) (Irish River {Fr}) whose high-class descendants are numerous and include Arcangues and the triple group 1-winning Prix de Diane heroine Aquarelliste (Fr) by Danehill Dancer's sire Danehill (Danzig), who was runner-up to Sakhee when attempting the Arc. Attire's winning 2-year-old full-brother to Luxembourg, Hiawatha (Ire), is well-regarded at Ballydoyle having cost €1.2million at last year's Goffs Orby, while she also has a yearling filly and a filly foal again by Camelot.

Saturday, Leopardstown, Britain
IRISH CHAMPION S.-G1, €1,000,000, Leopardstown, 9-10, 3yo/up, 10fT, 2:12.10, sf.
1–LUXEMBOURG (IRE), 129, c, 3, by Camelot (GB)
     1st Dam: Attire (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire)
     2nd Dam: Asnieres, by Spend a Buck
     3rd Dam: Albertine (Fr), by Irish River (Fr)
(150,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Westerberg, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, D Smith; B-B V Sangster (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €580,000. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Eng, 6-5-0-1, $936,596. *1/2 to Leo De Fury (Ire) (Australia {GB}), GSW-Ire, $156,911. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Onesto (Ire), 129, c, 3, Frankel (GB)–Onshore (GB), by Sea The Stars (Ire).
'TDN Rising Star'. (185,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT; $535,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR). O-Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-Diamond Creek Farm (IRE); T-Fabrice Chappet. €200,000.
3–Vadeni (Fr), 129, c, 3, Churchill (Ire)–Vaderana (Fr), by Monsun (Ger).
O-H H Aga Khan; B-Haras De S A Aga Khan SCEA (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €100,000.
Margins: HF, 1 1/4, 3/4. Odds: 3.50, 11.00, 1.75.
Also Ran: Mishriff (Ire), Stone Age (Ire), Alenquer (Fr), Broome (Ire).

Luxembourg triumphs in the €1m Irish Champion Stakes! #LICW22 | @LeopardstownRC | @IrishChampsWknd pic.twitter.com/MMWu71XkLM

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 10, 2022

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It would therefore in some small way be fitting if Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}) could strike in the showcase event of Irish Champions weekend and the way the homebred has swaggered through the tests of the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Eclipse points to him doing so. Of course, there are the uncertainties of the prevalent soft ground and tactics at a track that has a habit of catching out horses and jockeys, not to mention the formidable opposition, but there is something about the colt that has already marked the Stud's centenary year that hints at something special.

More in the mold of the “V” dynasty's speedier types Valixir (Ire) (Trempolino) and Val Royal (Fr) (Royal Academy) than the stouter members, the bay has zip as he demonstrated in a renewal of the Eclipse that put a much greater emphasis on mid-race speed than is usually the case. Many have pointed to the troubled passage of Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) making Prince Faisal's high-class stalwart an unlucky loser, but heading past the line at Sandown it was Vadeni who was taking off up the hill looking as if he had just joined in. “The pace wasn't crazy and that's why we all finished together,” Christophe Soumillon said, reflecting on that July 2 feature.  It was a little bit tactical, but he is quite easy to ride and very straightforward. It was a surprising win in the French Derby, because it is not very often that you see a horse winning a Group 1 with that kind of keenness.”

To The Left

Whereas it would be no surprise to see Vadeni win a top mile race as Valixir and Val Royal did before him, Mishriff is a true middle-distance powerhouse who will be out to draw the sting from his French foe this time. While the Gosdens' 5-year-old has developed slow-starting tendencies of late, his alert break in the G1 Juddmonte International suggests that compromising habit is behind him and he is back on a left-handed track which seems to play to his strengths. Of his last dozen outings, only three have been going in this direction on turf and they resulted in wins in last year's G1 Dubai Sheema Classic and Juddmonte International and a gallant second to the world's unrivalled best on grass in Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

Connections have been savvy enough to book the Irish master Colin Keane and Ted Voute is sounding hopeful that the operation's flagship performer can register a Group 1 win for the third consecutive year. “I expect Vadeni to prove hard to beat, but I think a few people felt we were unlucky in the Eclipse so let's see what happens on Saturday,” he said. “I suspect this will be the end of his season in Europe, so let's hope he can go out on a high.”

A True Test

If the comeback performance of Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in The Curragh's G3 Royal Whip Aug. 13 failed to set the pulse racing, it did at least show that here is a colt with a will-to-win from a stable renowned for its indomitability in the elite domestic contests. There have been several brilliant overseas challengers who have come up against a wall here and defeat for the likes of Falbrav (Ire) (Fairy King), Motivator (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}), Ouija Board (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) testify that if you want this, you first have to wrest it off Ballydoyle. Not enough is as yet known about Luxembourg to make any steadfast claims as to his level of ability or stamina, but he has two aides in this and therefore possibly a tactical edge. Ryan Moore will have worked it all through his unparalleled racing brain many times. “That narrow victory last time didn't please everyone, but it did us and that's the main thing,” he confirmed on his betfair blog.

The Heffernan Factor

Helping Luxembourg's cause is the Peter Brant colourbearer Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who for a few days in early May looked poised to fill the Derby void left by the stable's number one blue riband hope's setback as he overwhelmed his peers in the G3 Derby Trial over this course and distance. One of the yard's brightest 3-year-olds in the spring, it is easy to forgive his recent efforts and the fact that he has Seamie Heffernan on board is a huge plus. Few jockeys ride this circuit with as much skill as the man who dominated the 2010 renewal on Cape Blanco (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and who pressured Ghaiyyath into submission on Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) two years ago. Of the riders in the saddle this time, he is the joint-winningmost alongside Ryan Moore so on this testing surface his rivals will be well-served to remember not to give him too much rope. With the underrated and undervalued G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup hero Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) in attendance on his favoured slow ground, this has the potential to turn into a war of attrition.

Making Hayes

With Dermot Weld's stable finally hitting top stride in the past few days after a largely uninspiring 2022 season, the way is paved for Moyglare's priceless 'TDN Rising Star' Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) to burst back onto the scene in the G1 Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron S. For the purists, there has been a lingering frustration that the clash of the two Frankel superfillies has yet to take place but Ascot's QEII is already calling for Inspiral (GB) and her Irish counterpart first needs to fulfil this obligation. That will be no easy task, with the increasingly unassailable Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) to subdue, but the edge has to be with the scintillating G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine here. “The [Weld] horses have been frustrating during the summer and it was frustrating times with Homeless Songs as we had to keep backing off, but we have no excuses now as the rain has come,” jockey Chris Hayes said. “She is mad well and we are raring to go.”

When Two Rising Stars Meet

The first of the weekend's plentiful juvenile Classic pointers takes place on the Leopardstown card, with Ballydoyle's pair of TDN Rising Stars Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) lined up against each other in the G2 KPMG Champions Juvenile S. Ryan Moore has opted for the former, a son of Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who when at her best was a tour de force. “I'd be hopeful you will see a very good colt here,” the rider said of his pick. Tower Of London, a full-brother to Capri, looked more of a precocious sort than his sibling when winning over course and distance July 21 and it would be no surprise were he to assume the stable bragging rights here.

In the opening Listed Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle S. for unexposed fillies, there is a fascinating contrast between Team Valor International and Gary Barber's five-furlong Cork maiden winner Easy (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and The Aga Khan's stamina-laden Limerick maiden scorer Kayhana (Ire) (Harzand {Ire}) as Paddy Twomey and Dermot Weld open their select but potentially potent assault on the weekend.

Kyprios Heads Sunday Cast

With Doncaster's enhanced St Leger card shifted to Sunday, the afternoon looks a beast with quickfire assaults on the senses on Town Moor, at ParisLongchamp and The Curragh. The latter venue's equally powerful second half of the Irish Champions weekend was set out on Friday, with Ballydoyle's G1 Gold Cup and G1 Goodwood Cup hero Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) taking on 10 rivals in the G1 Comer Group International Irish St Leger including his full-sister Search For A Song (Ire) who captured it in 2019 and 2020. More than at Leopardstown, Rosegreen seem to have a firm grip on Sunday's fixture as they supply the favourites for the G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National S. and G1 Moyglare Stud S. in the G2 Futurity S.-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Aesop's Fables (Ire) (No Nay Never) and G2 Debutante S. scorer Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) respectively. Of the dozen that take the Moyglare test, The Aga Khan's 'TDN Rising Star' Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) looks to have Classic potential following her impressive debut at Galway July 26. There are 18 rivals lined up for the G1 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Flying Five S. despite the foreboding presence of the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest and G1 Nunthorpe S. heroine Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), while the G2 Moyglare “Jewels” Blandford S. boasts Team Valor's G1 Pretty Polly S. heroine La Petite Coco (Ire) (Ruler Of The World {Ire}) as she takes on a dozen under a penalty.

Click here for the fields.

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Speaking to ITV Racing on Thursday afternoon, the trainer said, “I was thrilled to bits, I watched it home last night with Maureen [Haggas] and it was a great watch.

“Ultimately the decision is with Sheikha Hissa and I'm sure it [Arc] will be discussed and every option is open–it's got to be after what he did yesterday.

“We'll see what evolves. I think the only chance of seeing him more than once [before retirement] is if he doesn't go for the Arc and goes Irish Champion and Champion. I think you'll only see him once [more] in England, but as I say it's not my decision. We'll discuss it and as long as the horse is OK all options are still open.”

Haggas did provide an update on his 10-for-10 stable star to the Nick Luck Daily Podcast, and added, “He seems fine, he's trotted up good–he's lost a bit of weight but we're happy with him and very proud.

“I'm open to suggestions, that's always been our plan to go to Ascot but plans can change. I'm not saying for a minute they're going to, but the only thing I will say is it's nearly two months now to Champions Day and that's quite a long time.”

“That's the perfect fit if he was to have another race, so that's obviously open for discussion,” Haggas said of the Sept. 10 Irish Champion S. “He's in the race and we'll just see what happens but he'd have to be in pretty rude health to be going to Ireland, so we shall see.”

Shadwell's Angus Gold told Sky Sports Racing on Thursday, “It was always William's plan to end up at Ascot. Obviously, there was a lot of talk about the Arc yesterday and would we consider that.

“I spoke to Sheikha Hissa briefly after the race and asked if she would even be thinking of the Arc, but she said she thought it best to stick to William's plan and end up at Ascot so for the moment we'll stick with that.

“I'm sure she will talk to her family when she gets home and there'll be another discussion, but that is what she said yesterday and unless William changes his mind I'm sure that is what she'll want to do.”

Since taking the G1 Prix du Moulin and G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. in 2021, the bay added the G1 Lockinge S., G1 Queen Anne S., and G1 Sussex S. in May, June and July, respectively. The International was his sixth consecutive Group 1 victory. The colt has now been awarded a rating of 135 off of that effort, third to only Frankel (GB) and his own sire (136) since the rankings began 18 years ago.

The BHA Head of Handicapping Dominic Gardiner-Hill said, “I will be raising Baaeed seven pounds from 128 to 135 for his success in the Juddmonte International yesterday–a figure only bettered by Frankel and Sea The Stars since the inception of the World's Best Racehorse Rankings in 2004.”

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“He's in full training and has the spring back in his step,” said Appleby. “I'm not going to set him a target, but let him tell me when he's ready. The great thing is, it's the Adayar we've seen before that we're seeing at home now.

“In an ideal world I would like to get a prep into him before either the Irish Champion S. or the Champion S. But most importantly the excitement is back in the camp over this horse like it was earlier in the year.”

After his Ascot exploits last July, Adayar was fourth in the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and fifth returned to Ascot for his sophomore swansong in the G1 QIPCO Champion S.

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At Doncaster the same afternoon, the G1 Cazoo St Leger will see Godolphin's G1 Irish Derby and G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) face nine rivals including Amo Racing's G1 Epsom Derby runner-up Mojo Star (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}). Aidan O'Brien has confirmed a quartet including TDN Rising Star High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and the unexposed Interpretation (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who will sport the Peter Brant silks.

Frankie Dettori is on the supplemented High Definition, with Wayne Lordan partnering the G2 Great Voltigeur S. runner-up The Mediterranean (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), James Doyle on that race's fourth Sir Lucan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Hollie Doyle aboard the Aug. 12 Listed Vinnie Roe S. winner Interpretation. Having impressed with two prior front-running rides for Ballydoyle including a third in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks on the 150-1 outsider La Joconde (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), it was no surprise to see Hollie Doyle booked for one of the team's contenders here. “It's a great ride to pick up. He looks highly progressive and is unbeaten this year,” she said. “He's certain to stay and it's my first ride in the Leger and I'm really looking forward to it.”

They help to make up a six-strong Irish representation in the extended 14-furlong Classic, with Johnny Murtagh looking for a breakthrough English Classic success with the G3 Gordon S. winner Ottoman Emperor (Ire) (Excelebration {Ire}).

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“I've got the weather forecast for the week, [and] while it's going to rain, I don't think it will be enough to produce soft ground, so I'm taking a chance and at this stage we're saying we're going to Leopardstown,” he told Nick Luck's podcast. “[I was tempted to run in France] because I thought Leopardstown might get more rain, but I'm reasonably satisfied now that the going will be ok at Leopardstown.

“I'm not thinking about which is tough, I'm just going for which race I think suits best on the day. I'm not concerned about who goes where–I'm only concerned about the going.”

Poetic Flare would have clashed with Shadwell's unbeaten Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the Moulin, who is trying Group 1 company for the first time at ParisLongchamp for William Haggas.

“I can't be sure [10 furlongs will suit better than a mile], but weighing up all the considerations, it's been fairly easy for me to opt for Leopardstown,” the trainer added.

“If you want to look at the financial side, the winner in Longchamp would take home about €250,000, which is not inconsiderable, and at Leopardstown it will be almost €700,000 I reckon. As someone who has to run the sport come business in a reasonably financial manner, Leopardstown makes more appeal.

“Leopardstown is home as well and we don't have to spend €80,000 on an aeroplane so for that reason, Leopardstown was a no-brainer but then I had to consider the going. They are the only considerations, I'm not concerned about who else is going there as long as there's room for us.”

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A winner of last year's G1 Prix Vermeille, G1 Prix de l'Opera and the GI Breeders' Cup Turf, the chestnut has been in good order since her Ballyroan appearance. After the Irish Champion, the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp on Oct. 3 is High Highness The Aga Khan homebred's long-term goal.

“A decision has been made and Tarnawa is will have her next start in the Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown,” Weld told the Racing Post. “Colin Keane will ride her. Once it's good ground, that's where she will go. She will run in the Irish Champion S. and then, all being well, she will head into the Arc.”

He added, “The standard of the top horses is exceptional and the ratings prove that. It's going to be an exciting race [the Irish Champion], as will the Arc, and hopefully Tarnawa can continue to progress.”

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