Irish Flat Racing Stars Gather to Launch Longines Irish Champions Weekend 2016

Published: Tue 9 Aug 2016, 10:01 AM

Last updated: Tue 9 Aug 2016, 11:07 AM

Stars of the Irish Flat racing industry gathered to officially launch the annual Longines Irish Champions Weekend in UCD’s O’Reilly Hall, Dublin this evening, Monday August 8th. The weekend, which takes place on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September, is the first leg of a European Triple Crown of championship meetings leading into the QATAR Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting at Longchamp in early October and QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot two weeks later.

The unique racing event sees two of Ireland’s premier racecourses, Leopardstown and The Curragh join forces to stage the highest concentration of quality Flat racing in Ireland. The event features 10 Group races, including five Group 1s, with two iconic feature races – the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes and the Palmerstown House Estate Irish St. Leger. The increased prize-fund for the weekend totals €4.5 million, to be won across 16 races.

Guests at the launch reception included Jessica and Ronan O’Gara, unveiled as this year’s Longines Irish Champions Weekend Style and Sport Ambassadors. The O’Garas were joined by many leading players from the Irish racing industry including Chairman of Horse Racing Ireland, Joe Keeling, Aidan and Annemarie O’Brien and family, Jim and Jackie Bolger, Mark and Zoe Weld, Johnny and Orla Murtagh, Noel and Derville Meade, Willie and Jackie Mullins, as well as Jessica and Kate Harrington and jockey Chris Hayes.

Ronan O’Gara, Sport Ambassador for Longines Irish Champions Weekend, commented: 'Sport at this level is particularly exhilarating so it is a pleasure for me to be the Sport Ambassador this year for Longines Irish Champions Weekend. Everyone knows that I love the sport of racing so to travel home to Ireland with Jessica for the weekend will be very special.'

Racing Commentator Brendan McArdle chaired a lively panel discussion on the evening with a line-up that included Sport Ambassador Ronan O’Gara, trainer Johnny Murtagh and jockey Chris Hayes. The discussion championed the success of Irish racing at home and abroad, with special recognition for the growing success of Longines Irish Champions Weekend.

Commenting on his plans for Longines Irish Champions Weekend, Champion Irish Flat Trainer, Aidan O’Brien, said: “We have obviously some nice horses for the races and hopefully we’re going to be well-represented over the course of the two days. We have a lot of different combinations so we’re lucky and obviously it’s a weekend to look forward to. It’s two great tracks and great racing – it’s a massive weekend for everybody.”

Leading Curragh trainer, Dermot Weld spoke about how Longines Irish Champions Weekend adds to the internationalisation of Irish racing. “It’s an excellent concept. You get the best horses of the world racing there and some wonderful Group races and it’s at the right time of year. The internationalisation of the sport is not only good for racing, it’s good for Ireland, it’s good for Ireland Limited, it’s good for tourism, it brings a lot of investment into our country and it’s helping to create more jobs in our country. They are the important things,” he said.

Racing legend, Michael Kinane, spoke about the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes, a race he won seven times, including on the all-conquering Sea The Stars in 2009. “It’s one of the major Group 1s of the calendar. It’s situated in a beautiful position leading up to the Arc and Breeders’ Cup and it’s at an ideal distance for everyone. It has been, through the years, a fantastic race and it looks to continue this year with the entries that have been made for it.”

Pat Keogh, Chief Executive of Leopardstown Racecourse, said: “Longines Irish Champions Weekend has become everything we hoped it would. The feature race, the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes, is the fourth highest-rated race in the world and is supported by a wonderful festival of top quality international racing. We are set for a terrific weekend and we are delighted to play host to the best horses once again.”

Derek McGrath, Chief Executive of the Curragh Racecourse, commented: “This is my first year being involved with Longines Irish Champions Weekend and I am taken with how the Irish racing industry has come together to support a truly remarkable event. The level of interest being shown by so many overseas trainers is certainly reflected in the strength of entries for the five Group 1s and their supporting races.”