ROYAL BAHRAIN IRISH CHAMPION STAKES - RUNNERS AND RIDERS - CJRFANTASY

Friday, 12th September 2025 -  The ‘summer’ of racing is now well and truly over, as all eyes turn towards the Championship races that dominate the autumn fixture list. First up is the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes, live from Leopardstown Racecourse on Saturday 13th September, which is one of the most prestigious flat races in Ireland. With a purse of €1.25m and a roll of honour that includes the likes of Sea The Stars, Golden Horn and Auguste Rodin, it attracts many of the world’s best racehorses, owners, trainers and jockeys, and this year’s edition is no different.

Often viewed as a valuable prep race ahead of end-of-season targets like the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe or Breeders’ Cup.

In order of XP:

· Delacroix (10 XP) – Went off favourite for the Derby back in June but could only manage 9th, before roaring to success next time out in the G1 Coral Eclipse. Followed that up with another respectable effort over 1m2f in the G1 Juddmonte International last month, only to lose out to the 126 rated Ombudsman. With the strongest form in the book and now back on home turf under master trainer Aiden O’Brien, he’s the one to beat.

· Anmaat (25 XP) – Proven Group horse with 8 victories from 15 career starts. Two wins in 2024, notably the Group 1 QIPCO Champion Stakes, and has returned with consecutive second-place finishes in high-class contests this season (G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup & G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes). Could be coming to the boil now but would hope for some rain having sidestepped the Coral Eclipse and Juddmonte International due to unsuitable ground.

· Zahrann (25 XP) – Upwardly mobile three-year-old for the Aga Khan, having only made his debut in April this year. Has progressed from maidens into a clear Group-race performer, finishing 2nd in the G2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot before taking the G3 Royal Whip Stakes at The Curragh last month. Improving at a rate of knots and the ceiling is unknown, so a live danger to all.

· Shin Emperor (30 XP) – Japanese raider who finished an eye-catching 3rd in this race last year behind Auguste Rodin and Economics. Went on to win the G2 Neom Turf Cup on Saudi Cup day earlier this year, before a no-show in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in April. Has been off the track since and, with next month’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe the main target, fitness can’t be relied upon here.

· White Birch (40 XP) – Hit the headlines in 2024, winning all three of his races, including the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup. Yet to find that form again this season but there have been excuses for both defeats, so not one to be giving up on. Off the track since May but goes well fresh.

· Royal Champion (80 XP) – Hit a peak RPR when winning the G2 Sky Bet York Stakes last time out but historically has struggled at the highest level, as evidenced by his 7th place finish in the G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at the Royal Meeting. Not ruled out entirely but will need to find another chunk of improvement to challenge here.

· Hotazhell (165 XP) – Hotazhell, a Group 1 Futurity Trophy winner at two, has struggled to reproduce that form this season and was well held in the Eclipse, but with proven class in the book and connections keen to persevere, he remains a possible threat if bouncing back to his best.

· Mount Kilimanjaro (500 XP) – Mount Kilimanjaro comes here off a Listed win at Chester earlier in the season but failed to land a blow when only sixth in the Great Voltigeur at York, and while his pedigree hints at more to come he’ll need a big step forward to trouble these at Group 1 level.

Trends:

· Age – 8 of the last 12 winners were three-year-olds.

· Favourites – 6 of the last 12 winners went off favourite.

· Last Run – 10 of the last 12 winners had their last run within 30 days, with 6 winning.

· Season Form – 10 of the last 12 winners had at least 2 wins that season.

· Group Wins – 11 of the last 12 winners had at least one Group 1 victory to their name.

· Rating – 11 of the last 12 winners had a rating of 117 or higher.

CJRF Tip:

1st – Delacroix

2nd – Anmaat

3rd – Shin Emperor

ENDS