Tue Sep 10 16:38:05 UTC 2024: ## Economics to Challenge O’Brien’s Dominance in Irish Champion Stakes

**Leopardstown, Ireland:** English racing star Economics will take on a formidable challenge this Saturday at Leopardstown, venturing into the backyard of Aidan O’Brien to contest the prestigious Group One Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes. O’Brien, aiming for a record 13th victory and sixth consecutive win in the €1.25 million race, has a strong hand with Auguste Rodin, Luxembourg, and Irish Derby winner Los Angeles.

Economics, trained by William Haggas and ridden by Tom Marquand, has been hailed as “truly special” following his impressive performance in Deauville. The colt is a strong favorite for the race, facing tough competition from the Ballydoyle squad and Japanese star Shin Emperor.

Yoshito Yahagi, Shin Emperor’s trainer, emphasized the importance of the Irish Champion Stakes, stating that “a horse that wins here has more stallion value than an Arc winner.” He also expressed admiration for Economics, acknowledging the strength of O’Brien’s horses.

Other contenders include Royal Rhyme, Karl Burke’s Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Fallen Angel, and O’Brien’s 2022 Irish St Leger winner Kyprios. The race promises to be a thrilling showdown between some of the best horses in Europe.

The Irish Champions Festival features a total of 17 races, including six Group One contests at Leopardstown and the Curragh. The weekend also sees the Bar One Flying Five, Ireland’s premier sprint, featuring Bradsell, while the Moyglare Stakes will be a clash between Ballydoyle’s Henri Matisse and the supplemented Simmering. The Goffs National Stakes sees O’Brien’s unbeaten Henri Matisse facing the challenge of Godolphin’s Aomori City.

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