We have outstanding action on both sides of the Irish Sea this coming weekend. The final Classic of 2026 takes centre stage on home soil as Doncaster stages the St Leger Stakes. Over in Ireland, fans have two days of top-class entertainment to look forward to, as Leopardstown and the Curragh join forces for Irish Champions Weekend. Of the 17 contests over the two days, 11 are rated at Listed level or above, including seven Group 1 affairs.
With significant prestige and prize money on offer, this two-day fixture never fails to attract the sport’s leading owners. Joining the likes of Coolmore, Godolphin, and Wathnan Racing, the famous green and pink silks of Juddmonte are set to be strongly represented in 2026.
With a famous Group 1 double at the York Ebor Festival fresh in the memory, Juddmonte head into the Irish Champions Festival with 15 Group/Graded wins in 2026. With the following stars set to line up in Ireland, it would take a brave man to back against the powerful owners adding to that tally.
Purview – Kilternan Stakes
- Trainer – Dermot Weld
- Sire – Kingman
Juddmonte have never won this 1m4f Group 3 affair, coming closest when Famous Name finished second in the 2008 edition. Could Purview be the horse to put that right? Hailing from the yard of veteran handler Dermot Weld, this son of Kingman ran respectably in a three-year-old season which culminated in a Listed success at Cork. Two from two in 2026, he followed up a six-length romp in the Listed Orby Stakes with a first Group 3 success in the International Stakes at the Curragh. He must shoulder a penalty for that but arrives seeking a four-timer and is out on his own at the head of the market.
Blue Bolt – Matron Stakes
- Trainer – Andrew Balding
- Sire – Blue Point
Dermot Weld was responsible for Juddmonte’s only previous Matron Stakes triumph, when saddling Emulous to land the 2011 edition. Fifteen years later, Andrew Balding has the warm favourite in Blue Bolt. Falling just short of the top level in 2025, this speedily bred filly has scaled new heights as a four-year-old. A perfect four from four in 2026, she burst Precise’s bubble to claim her first Group 1 in the Falmouth Stakes and mastered the Aidan O’Brien filly for a second time in the Prix Rothschild. Precise lies in wait among the opposition once more, but the market suggests Blue Bolt is the one they all have to beat.
Faiyum – Solonaway Stakes
- Trainer – Ger Lyons
- Sire – Frankel
Juddmonte have drawn a blank in this 1m Group 2 event since landing back-to-back editions with Cityscape and Famous Name in 2011 and 2012. Shock 2025 Sussex Stakes winner Qirat is among the entries in 2026, but Juddmonte’s best chance looks to lie with the four-year-old Faiyum. Boasting form figures of 2-1-3-2 in Group company, she scores top marks for consistency and should enjoy the drop back in trip having faded over 1m1f last time out. Conceding weight to the three-year-old colts Isaac Newton and Power Blue won’t be easy, but this daughter of Frankel is rarely far away.
Item – Irish Champion Stakes
- Trainer – Andrew Balding
- Sire – Frankel
The feature event of the meeting is set to provide a thrilling rematch between the first, second, and third from the Juddmonte International. Item came out on top in that York event, when getting up close home to break Almaqam’s heart in the dying strides, with Aidan O’Brien’s Constitution River back in third. Despite that finishing order, Constitution River tops the Irish Champion Stakes market at a general price of 13/8. Aidan O’Brien’s record total of 13 Irish Champion Stakes wins no doubt has something to do with that, but he does have over three lengths to find with Item from their clash on the Knavesmire. With Colin Keane in the saddle, the Andrew Balding star may hand Juddmonte a first-ever win in this prestigious event.
Monogram – Vincent O’Brien National Stakes
- Trainer – Joseph Patrick O’Brien
- Sire – Kingman
Of all the Juddmonte runners at the Irish Champions Festival, Monogram is the horse who falls into the “could be anything” category. Raced only once to date, he went into many a notebook when coming from an improbable position to claim that Curragh maiden. Despite his inexperience, Monogram tops the market ahead of proven Group winners Giant Sequoia, Dr Rascal, and Haffner.
Red Letter – Blandford Stakes
- Trainer – Ger Lyons
- Sire – Frankel
Joseph O’Brien’s Epsom Oaks winner Thundering On heads the market in this fillies’ event and will take all the beating if turning up in that sort of form. However, she fell short of that level when beaten in the Pretty Polly Stakes last time. If the favourite runs below expectations, Ger Lyons’ Red Letter may be the one to take advantage.
Already a three-time winner at the Curragh, she finished ahead of Thundering On in the Pretty Polly Stakes. Having finished third in the 2025 edition, she has solid claims of at least making the frame.