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The 2025 Irish Champions' Festival

The thing they have under the greens at Augusta to drain them, have Leop got the same device. Can't believe that ground
 
I think we've actually seen a 10F Grp1 run like a 10F Grp1. Great days racing, the only tinge of sadness for me is that Ombudsman didn't come over for fear of sft ground. I'd love of of seen them clash today with the way that race panned out there would've been no excuses.
 
Danny said:
I think we've actually seen a 10F Grp1 run like a 10F Grp1. Great days racing, the only tinge of sadness for me is that Ombudsman didn't come over for fear of sft ground. I'd love of of seen them clash today with the way that race panned out there would've been no excuses.
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100% - great race on a cracking card.

Onto The Curragh tomorrow!
 
I wonder if they will keep him in training? Or has he done enough to retire at 3? Love to see him at 4 simply because he's such a physical specimen.
 
Slim said:
Aidan was at pains to say nothing. Beating Ombudsman would be a very big deal for his stallion prospects. After winning today, they’ve nothing to lose.
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I sense one or two ante-post kites may have be flown - great call from you if he goes there.
 
There is no mini climate at the Curragh like the one the upper middle class of the leafy suburbs of Leopardstown enjoy.

There’s rain forecast tomorrow and I’m expecting soft ground. I fully expect punters to make the opposite mistake they made this morning and learn the wrong lesson today — because punters are f$%^ing morons.

And no, I don't need to see the time of the first race.
 
What will be interesting tomorrow is whether Venetian Sun goes on soft. Will they pull her out if they don’t think she will? It’s always the Curragh that proves most susceptible to rain and big horses being pulled.
 
Aye, and she’s got the extra furlong to cope with. Even with those questions to answer I can’t really understand why she’s not favourite.
 
jinnyj said:
I wonder if they will keep him in training? Or has he done enough to retire at 3? Love to see him at 4 simply because he's such a physical specimen.
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Reading this article:
www.racingpost.com

Aidan O'Brien blown away by Delacroix in Irish Champion Stakes - but reveals star colt may have run his last race

Aidan O'Brien talked the talk in the lead up to the 2025 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes and, boy, did Delacroix walk the walk. "He has... Read More
www.racingpost.com www.racingpost.com
Sounds like they think he has done enough and will retire. I know Aidan always talks them up for stallion purposes but I think this horse is fabulous and will make some stallion so I can see why they are thinking like that. A shame - I would have loved to have seen him in the flesh.
 
Outsider said:
Is Crown of oaks a good thing in the 535 tomorrow.
7lb well in on future races.
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He could well be but the race is run on grass not paper and he's still too short for my liking.

Booyea ran a hell of a race last time when too keen finishing 6th, if he settles better tomorrow he's no 20/1 shot.
 
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reet hard said:
Hasd to believe IIlinois isn't fav for the Irish version after yesterday's Leger result.
Took Hill's 5/2,this morning.
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💯% agree - the whole reason why I did the Scandinavia/Illinois double (as mentioned on the other thread) was in the expectation of Illinois shortening once Scandinavia won.

So long as Illinois is fully effective on the ground (whatever that may be) today, I think Al Riffa will have a job on to beat him.
 
reet hard said:
And??
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There are a lot of short-priced horses that we have no idea will go on it. The drift on Venetian Sun is no surprise to me. This is a great watching day, but an awful punting day.

I was hoping to back Advertised at a big price in the 2.05, but a leading Irish professional punter tipped him up last night, so 20/1 has turned into “you’re having a f$%^ing laugh” to one.
 
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jinnyj said:
Reading this article:
www.racingpost.com

Aidan O'Brien blown away by Delacroix in Irish Champion Stakes - but reveals star colt may have run his last race

Aidan O'Brien talked the talk in the lead up to the 2025 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes and, boy, did Delacroix walk the walk. "He has... Read More
www.racingpost.com www.racingpost.com
Sounds like they think he has done enough and will retire. I know Aidan always talks them up for stallion purposes but I think this horse is fabulous and will make some stallion so I can see why they are thinking like that. A shame - I would have loved to have seen him in the flesh.
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The perfect stallion for galileo mares and another dynasty started.
 
Todays conclusions

Race 1: Sir Les Patterson
Race 2: Joyful Tidings
Race 3: Composing
Race 4: Arizona Blaze
Race 5: Gstaad
Race 6: Illinois
Race 7: Ballet Slippers
Race 8: Crown of Oaks

My bets: EW Yankee: Sir Les, Joyful, Arizona, Ballet.

Accum: Composing, Gstaad, Illinois Crown.

+ a Hail Mary:

Dallas Star is ~300s for pennies on the exchange in the Leger. Has won twice on heavy (incl Ballysax) and stays well. Stranger things have happened and it is a day for stranger things.
 
jinnyj said:
Reading this article:
www.racingpost.com

Aidan O'Brien blown away by Delacroix in Irish Champion Stakes - but reveals star colt may have run his last race

Aidan O'Brien talked the talk in the lead up to the 2025 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes and, boy, did Delacroix walk the walk. "He has... Read More
www.racingpost.com www.racingpost.com
Sounds like they think he has done enough and will retire. I know Aidan always talks them up for stallion purposes but I think this horse is fabulous and will make some stallion so I can see why they are thinking like that. A shame - I would have loved to have seen him in the flesh.
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He looks quite the specimen. Very much like camelot who felt he was top dog at coolmore. Must be a tricky horse to handle. Well done to soumi btw. Loads of pressure on him as that was a huge deal stallion wise but he was super cool on him. 👏👏
 
The Cork card man is back:

Curragh (quiet)
2:05 Alparslan most interesting looked a weapon on debut at Leicester hard to weigh up form and dropping to 6f possibly not ideal?
2:40 have chanced Suzie Songs with hood going on at prices having raced way too keen in Debutante
4:25 very happy to be with Al Riffa he’s drifted to fair price.
5:00 was impressed with Red letter last time been well found.
Tarima shaped much better than result at Gowran having raced with the choke out out wide it’s interesting they throw her into this!
 

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