Day 1 - Leopardstown
Saturday 13th September, The Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes Day
Plan Your Day
Day 1 | Leopardstown
World Class Racing
Day 1 features five Group Races including the world class Group 1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes. Come and see the best Irish and international flat horses in action.
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The Jockey Cam - VR Experience
Experience the thrill of the race like never before with the VR Jockey Cam. Get a jockey’s-eye view and feel the rush of the track in immersive virtual reality. Step into the saddle, compete with friends, and see who crosses the winning line first!
music line-up
We have a stacked music line-up on the day to keep you going in between, and after racing. The Swing Cats will start up the day followed by ABBA Esque to close out the night with their timeless crowd-pleasers!
Raceday expert panel
Get ready to make your cards! We will be joined before racing by our Raceday Expert Tipster Panel to preview the day ahead - Learn how to pick the winning horse from our expert panel before racing. Panel will be announced soon.
Main Stage | 1.30pm - 2pm
See the ICS Trophy Up Close
Create a treasured memory with a photo opportunity with the Group 1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes trophy, from 12:15 - 5pm, before it is awarded to the winner!
champion style awards
Fashion takes centre stage on Day 1 of the Irish Champions Festival as Ireland’s premier menswear retailer, Louis Copeland, and family-owned luxury hotel group, Ardán Collective, join forces to sponsor the ‘Champions of Style’ Award.
The Awards mark the much-anticipated return of the style competition to the fixture for the first time since 2023. Throughout the day, style spotters will be curating a shortlist of best-dressed racegoers, with the final looks judged by Louis Copeland and renowned Irish fashion stylist, Sarah Kate Byrne.
The Judges - Louis Copeland and Sarah Kate Byrne
Irish fashion stylist Sarah Kate Byrne, is renowned for curating ITV Racing Style will be looking for "for elegant and stylish ensembles that stand out from the crowd."
How To Enter - Watch Our For Style Spotters
Style spotting will begin around the Champions Garden Party from 12.15pm. Style Spotters will be handing out token to a shortlist. Winners and runners-up will announced on stage at 4.30pm.
The Prizes - Men and Ladies Categories
Louis Copeland & Sons will honour Ireland’s most stylish man with a legendary made-to-measure suit valued at €1,000. Two runners-up will receive a made-to-measure shirt, each valued at €250. In the ladies' category, Ardán Collective will award three luxurious prizes drawn from their portfolio of hotel properties. First prize is a weekend in London for two in The Exhibitionist Hotel, a boutique hotel in Kensington. The trip includes flights, breakfast and cocktails in their Bar & Lounge.
