Photos: Irish Champions Weekend

[robertob]

Irish Champions weekend - it was a magic weekend of racing! I'm still overwhelmed. Huge crowds on both days, excellent atmosphere, brilliant weather and outstanding horses and racing. You can't ask for more. Saturday at Leopardstown felt slightly the superior day. The place was packed but it was still very relaxed and the warm September sun a big plus. Most people were there to see Australia of course. When the Irish Champions Stakes drew closer, people wre people standing six, seven deep around the pre-parade ring to get a glimpse of him. It was some extreme excitement in the air, the way only racing can create it before one of those really big races. And then the race itself. Exciting indeed! Even though the result was maybe a bit of an anti-climax. Yet it was a very warm applause for Ryan Moore and The Grey Gatsby afterwards when they were parading in front of the stand and I even saw a beaming smile on the jockeys face! The Curragh Sunday was fine racing too. A bit of a surprise in the Leger, when Brown Panther made the most of being unconsidered by the rest of the field. Gleneagles seems a nice prospect, winning the National Stakes in good style. He is a very athletic horse I've to say. Highlight of this Sunday was, though, the so called Curragh Thoroughbred Trail in the morning before the actual racing. Something like an open day at the different yards around the Curragh. I picked bus nr. 4 and that ensured that I got to see the yards Conor O'Dwyer's, Martin Brassil's - who showed us former Grand National winner Numbersixvalverde, Ken Condon and Brendan Duke. The Duke seemed to saw the chance of this life to bring in some new owners. He let parade every single of his 20 horses in front of us - each individually, telling us everything about their pedigree, history, future etc.. More than an hour later we got rewarded for our patience when we got to see the horses let lose in the paddocks. They were extremely keen to get on with things on their free Sunday and it was amazing to see the bunch racing each other in the paddocks. One horse to keep in mind for later: The unraced 2yo filly Vocal Warm Up was highlighted by Duke as a hugely talented filly who he believes is so good that she has an entry for next years 1.000 Guineas. She looked nice indeed, when she was paraded. The best stop by far was the one at Ken Condon's. Extremely accommodating, showing us some of his well fancied runners, telling loads of interesting things about training, preparation for races and stuff like that. He came across as a very honest and open minded man and I liked the open boxes for his horses. It's a beautiful little yard, and if would have some spare money, I could see myself having a horse in his care. The visit there was also the chance to get close with one of my favourites, Bold Thady Quill, who ran a massive race the day before. He was perfectly fine the day after. In fact absolutely bouncing and enjoyed a bit of a cuddle. Was a bit disappointed that we didn't make it to John Oxx and Johnny Murtagh. But we lost so much time at the Duke's that it was impossible time wise. But no need to complain. It was a tremendous weekend and HRI has done a phenomenal job to create, promote and execute the inaugural Irish Champions Weekend. John F Kennedy John F Kennedy - now as short as 6/1 for next years Epsom Derby The Grey Gatsby on his way to the parade ring The Grey Gatsby on his way to the track Australia on his way to the track Mukhadram Pat Smullen, always smiling for the cam Bow Creek - G2 winner of Mark Johnston Ken Condon's yard Bold Thady Quill The legendary Bold Thady Quill and me Grand National winner Numbersixvalverde Brendan Duke presenting one of his horses Hurricane Fly during the Parade Of Champions Talented 7lb apprentice Gary Halpin Finish to the opening Handicap on the Sunday Curragh card Cursory Glance Finish to the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes Gleneagles Brown Panther's connections Preliminaries to the Irish St Leger - Encke the horse in front Finish to the €200k Sales race with 30 runners

[arsenalfh]

Re: Photos: Irish Champions Weekend Great stuff! Unfortunately couldn't make it to Leopardstown on the day but thankfully the ATR coverage of the whole weekend was fantastic. Cheers for the pics!