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One of the standout Group 1 contests in the Irish Flat racing calendar, the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown has long been a magnet for elite middle-distance performers.
With a star-studded field, it provides insights on the most backed horse racing selections from the top yards in the United Kingdom and Ireland every year.
With horse racing betting interest peaking around the autumn features, the Irish Champion Stakes often proves pivotal in deciding end-of-season honours and influencing breeding value.
Here’s a look at the last five winners of the race — and the stories behind their successes.
2024 – Economics
In a rare but welcome change from the typical Ballydoyle dominance, Economics gave the British their first win in the race since Roaring Lion in 2018—marking a landmark win for William Haggas.
The progressive three-year-old arrived in red-hot form after three wins in a row at Newbury, York, and Deauville and announced himself at the top level with an impressive performance.
Expertly ridden by Tom Marquand, Economics fended off former Derby winner and defending champion Auguste Rodin to win by a neck in a thrilling finish.
2023 – Auguste Rodin
The 2023 edition saw the aforementioned Auguste Rodin bounce back to top form, adding another major prize to his glittering résumé.
A British and Irish Derby winner, the son of Deep Impact silenced critics following a couple of below-par runs by proving too much for stablemate and 2022 winner Luxembourg.
It was another Group 1 success for a colt whose career has been anything but ordinary, and whose brilliance always seemed to surface when it mattered most.
2022 – Luxembourg
Luxembourg, another star for Aidan O’Brien, landed a second career Group 1 in the 2022 renewal when beating Onesto by half a length.
The three-year-old went clear with the French outsider inside the final furlong and had little more at the finish line.
Vadeni, another French raider, was sent off as the favourite but could only finish third as he was no match for the top two.
2021 – St Mark’s Basilica
St Mark’s Basilica rounded off a fantastic season with a fourth Group 1 win in as many starts when holding off Tarnawa in the Irish Champions Stakes.
Having already won two top-level contests at Longchamp and Chantilly, as well as the Eclipse, the son of Siyouni kept on gamely for another elite success.
St Mark’s Basilica was crowned Champion Three-year-old colt, European horse of the year and was awarded a rating of 132.
2020 & 2019 – Magical
Magical etched her name into the history books by becoming just the second horse to win the Irish Champion Stakes in back-to-back years, following Dylan Thomas.
In 2020, she battled bravely under Seamie Heffernan to deny Ghaiyyath in a thrilling finish, having won the race impressively with Ryan Moore in the saddle in 2019.
Her consistency and tenacity made her a fan favourite and one of the most reliable Group 1 campaigners of the modern era.
