Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes
Leopardstown
Field Of Gold
Field Of Gold, a March 3, 2022 foaled Kingman colt trained by John & Thady Gosden and ridden by Colin Keane and Kieran Shoemark, has burst into elite miler status. He won the Craven Stakes (G3) at Newmarket on April 16, placed second by half a length in the 2000 Guineas (G1) on May 3, then triumphed in the Irish 2000 Guineas by 3¾ lengths on May 24, and clinched the St James’s Palace Stakes (G1) at Ascot on June 17. Dubbed a top talent, entered in the Sussex Stakes, likely to step up in trip for the Juddmonte International, likely to face fellow Irish Champions Stakes entrants, Ombudsman and Delacroix in a thriller.
Ombudsman
Ombudsman, a Night of Thunder colt trained by John & Thady Gosden and ridden by William Buick and Ryan Moore at times, finished second in Sandown’s Brigadier Gerard Stakes (G3, May 29, 1m 2f), then surged to win the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1, June 18, 1m 2f) at Royal Ascot. Rated around 128, he was favourite for the Coral Eclipse, but was narrowly beaten by Delacroix in the Coral‑Eclipse Group 1 (2nd, Jul 5). His Group 1 breakthrough, top-class pedigree, and consistent form make him a red-hot prospect for ICF this season
Delacroix
Delacroix, a Dubawi colt out of Tepin, foaled April 2, 2022, is trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore. He kicked off 2025 with dominant wins in the Ballysax Stakes (Mar 30) and Leopardstown Derby Trial (May 11). He finished ninth in the Epsom Derby (Jun 7) but rebounded to win the Coral‑Eclipse (G1, Sandown, Jul 5) by a neck from Ombudsman. Now entered in Sussex, Juddmonte International, and Irish Champion Stakes. Certainly one to watch in the lead up to Irish Champions Festival.
Economics
Economics, a Night of Thunder colt trained by William Haggas, has not raced in 2025 due to injury setbacks. After a promising 2024 season, including a victory in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, he was sidelined with a pulled muscle and missed major events like the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot. Concerns arose following a bleeding incident post-Ascot, raising doubts about his future in racing. Despite these challenges, connections remain hopeful for his return later this season to retain the Irish Champions Stakes title.
Shin Emperor
Shin Emperor (Siyouni–Starlet’s Sister), trained by Yoshito Yahagi and ridden by Ryusei Sakai, claimed the Group 2 Neom Turf Cup at Riyadh on Feb 22, dominating by 1¾ lengths. He then finished 7th in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan on Apr 5 (G1, 1m 4f). After an impressive 3rd last year in the Irish Champions Stakes, and with a rating near 123 and aimed at top-tier targets including the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, he's one to track. All roads lead to Irish Champions Festival.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, a February 22 2021‑foaled Camelot colt trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, dominates 2025. He began the season with a Mooresbridge Stakes (G2) win at the Curragh on May 5, then battled to victory in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1, 1m 2f) at the Curragh on May 25, holding off Anmaat in a thrilling duel. Rated ~128, his Royal Ascot effort fell short, but he’s being aimed for Irish Champions Festival in the lead up to an autumn Arc prep for a major end‑season tilt.
Anmaat
Anmaat, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Jim Crowley, is a 2025 standout middle-distance runner. He narrowly missed out on the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh on May 25, finishing second, and followed up with another runner-up finish in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot on June 18. The veteran is a strong contender for top-tier races including the Coral Eclipse, Juddmonte International, and Irish Champion Stakes.
Whirl
Whirl, a 2022 Wootton Bassett filly trained by Aidan O’Brien, has impressed in 2025. She won the Group 3 Musidora Stakes (May 14), finished second in the Epsom Oaks (June 6), then claimed her first Group 1 in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh (June 28). Rated 113, she’s targeting top races like the Nassau Stakes, Irish Oaks, and King George VI Stakes, marking her as a leading and versatile middle-distance filly.
