Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes
Leopardstown
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). At the Juddmonte International, he went looking for revenge against fellow Irish Champions Stakes entrant, Delacroix, as they battled it out once more this season. He came out victorious as a Juddmonte International Winner. Powering away from Delacroix and fellow Godolphin owner Birr Castle. Winning by 3 and a half’s Lengths. John Gosden says “The two obvious races for him are the Irish Champion and Ascot for Champions Day” His Group 1 breakthrough, top-class pedigree, and consistent form make him a red-hot prospect for ICF this season.
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). She won the Nassau Stakes (G1) by 5 lengths, beating Coronation Stakes winner, Cercene (31st July). With multiple Group 1 entries across multiple countries, and after an impressive season thus far, she has been marked as a leading and versatile middle-distance filly.
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. Juddmonte international 2nd place to Ombudsman, O’Brien has quoted “We learnt if he’s well we will go back to Leopardstown with Delacroix and hopefully this won’t happen again.” Now entered in the Irish Champion Stakes, hoping to stamp his authority over the 1m 2f division. Certainly one to watch in the lead up to Irish Champions Festival.
Zahrann
A 2022 colt by Night Of Thunder out of Zannda, is trained by Johnny Murtagh for the Aga Khan. Progressive through the year, he followed a wide-margin Cork maiden win with the Listed King George V Cup at Leopardstown, ran a brave second in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, then captured the Royal Whip Stakes (G3) at the Curragh beating notable group winner Galen & Los Angles. Firmly on the upgrade, Zahrann now has the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (G1) on Irish Champions Festival as his prime target. With tactical speed, ten-furlong versatility, and recent Group-class form, he shapes as a live contender to stamp himself among Europe’s elite in the feature at Leopardstown.
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, and after a 4th place finish at the Royal Whip Stakes at The Curragh, he is hoping to bounce back at Leoaprdstown 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 Juddmonte International and Irish Champion Stakes.
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, ran in the Sussex Stakes (G1) on the 30th July but ultimately fell short of the mark on the day, placing fourth. Calling off his bid for the Juddmonte International, he remains entered for the Irish Champions Stakes.
