Economics edges Auguste Rodin in Irish Champion Stakes thriller
British raider strikes on day one of the Irish Champions Festival
Saturday, 14 September 2024
Tom Marquand piloted two Group 1 victories with Economics following Porta Fortuna into the winners' enclosure
Economics was everything I was dreaming of and more - Tom Marquand
Economics justified favouritism in a thrilling finale to the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
The William Haggas horse claimed the Irish Champions Festival day one showpiece after pipping Aidan O’Brien’s Auguste Rodin to the line with Japanese hopeful Shin Emperor running a terrific race for third.
Auguste Rodin headed his rival in the final furlong under Ryan Moore but Tom Marquand found another gear to end a streak of five successive wins in the race for Ballydoyle’s O’Brien.
"It didn't look very nice, but he got the job done. I loved his head carriage in the last furlong, he really put his head down," said Haggas.
"I thought the other horse was going to come and beat him, but he beat him.
"I’m really pleased with him and he’s coming along nicely. As long as we don’t overdo him this year, he’s got a big future.
"Hopefully we will see him again and we’ve always planned to go for the Champion Stakes at Ascot so we will see. Sheikh Isa (owner) puts a lot into it and I’m thrilled more for him than me."
It was the second Group One victory of the afternoon for Economics’ big-race pilot, with Marquand having earlier claimed the Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes aboard Donnacha O’Brien’s Porta Fortuna.
Marquand said: "Economics was everything I was dreaming of and more. He’s not only a very good racehorse, but he’s a proper warrior. He’s very, very talented.
"I am just thrilled and for Sheikh Isa and William it is just huge. I think it is one we can all walk away from pretty satisfied. The big calls that were made earlier in the season that were probably so tough to do, they have been justified now.”
Porta Fortuna’s third Group 1 triumph of the season rubber-stamped her status as this season’s leading filly.
Winning trainer O'Brien said: "She’s an incredible filly, she shows up every day. It’s a huge honour and pleasure to train her and I’m lucky to have her.
"You can never be confident going into a Group One, they are always hard to win. No matter what the bookies are saying they are always very tough to win, but she makes it look easy.
"She’s always been good, but you can never be sure they are going to develop into something like that, you can never dream of that.
"It’s just a huge honour to have the filly, she’s very special. We’ll take her home and see how she is, but all being well we’ll be going to Del Mar.”
The well-backed Chantez scored a win in the opener for Ger Lyons, overcoming greenness for the Ballylinch Stud IrishEBF Ingabelle Stakes.
Jessica Harrington’s Green Impact fended off Aidan O’Brien challengers to claim the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes but the master of Ballydoyle struck back with Diego Velazquez in the TonyBet Solonaway Stakes.
Trustyourinstinct powered to glory in the TonyBet ‘We’re Here to Play’ Stakes making it a victory for each member of the O’Brien family as Joseph joined the party.
Teenage jockey Wayne Hassett then led Fighter to glory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Petingo Handicap before Ross O’Sullivan’s Dance Night Andday sprung a surprise in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Sovereign Path Handicap while Vera’s Secret eased clear in the finale under Nathan Crosse.
The Irish Champions Festival action continues at the Curragh on Sunday, starting at 1.50opm, headlined by the Comer Group International Irish St Leger at 4.45pm.
The William Haggas horse claimed the Irish Champions Festival day one showpiece after pipping Aidan O’Brien’s Auguste Rodin to the line with Japanese hopeful Shin Emperor running a terrific race for third.
Auguste Rodin headed his rival in the final furlong under Ryan Moore but Tom Marquand found another gear to end a streak of five successive wins in the race for Ballydoyle’s O’Brien.
The Group 1 @BahrainTurfClub Irish Champion Stakes did not disappoint, as the @WilliamHaggas colt Economics digs in gamely to fight off the attentions of Auguste Rodin in a thrilling finish - a double on the day for @TomMarquand!🏆 pic.twitter.com/0UpPzHQXcx
— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) September 14, 2024
"It didn't look very nice, but he got the job done. I loved his head carriage in the last furlong, he really put his head down," said Haggas.
"I thought the other horse was going to come and beat him, but he beat him.
"I’m really pleased with him and he’s coming along nicely. As long as we don’t overdo him this year, he’s got a big future.
"Hopefully we will see him again and we’ve always planned to go for the Champion Stakes at Ascot so we will see. Sheikh Isa (owner) puts a lot into it and I’m thrilled more for him than me."
It was the second Group One victory of the afternoon for Economics’ big-race pilot, with Marquand having earlier claimed the Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes aboard Donnacha O’Brien’s Porta Fortuna.
Marquand said: "Economics was everything I was dreaming of and more. He’s not only a very good racehorse, but he’s a proper warrior. He’s very, very talented.
"I had moments when I was worried, but he always felt like he was there for it and Auguste Rodin obviously showed up every bit as good as we were expecting.Winning jockey @TomMarquand gives us his immediate reaction after claiming top prize in the @BahrainTurfClub Irish Champion Stakes! pic.twitter.com/tf4K8X8MMI
— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) September 14, 2024
"I am just thrilled and for Sheikh Isa and William it is just huge. I think it is one we can all walk away from pretty satisfied. The big calls that were made earlier in the season that were probably so tough to do, they have been justified now.”
Porta Fortuna’s third Group 1 triumph of the season rubber-stamped her status as this season’s leading filly.
Winning trainer O'Brien said: "She’s an incredible filly, she shows up every day. It’s a huge honour and pleasure to train her and I’m lucky to have her.
There's no stopping Porta Fortuna, who claims a third Group 1 success in a row, flying home under @TomMarquand in the @coolmoreamerica 'Justify' Matron Stakes, for trainer Donnacha O'Brien 🔥@BreedersCup | #itallcomesdowntothis pic.twitter.com/BrXqxJ3hAy
— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) September 14, 2024
"You can never be confident going into a Group One, they are always hard to win. No matter what the bookies are saying they are always very tough to win, but she makes it look easy.
"She’s always been good, but you can never be sure they are going to develop into something like that, you can never dream of that.
"It’s just a huge honour to have the filly, she’s very special. We’ll take her home and see how she is, but all being well we’ll be going to Del Mar.”
The well-backed Chantez scored a win in the opener for Ger Lyons, overcoming greenness for the Ballylinch Stud IrishEBF Ingabelle Stakes.
What. A. Day. 🙌
— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) September 14, 2024
A thrilling afternoon of racing at Leopardstown 💚@HRIRacing | #itallcomesdowntothis pic.twitter.com/XqhVtzOBCC
Jessica Harrington’s Green Impact fended off Aidan O’Brien challengers to claim the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes but the master of Ballydoyle struck back with Diego Velazquez in the TonyBet Solonaway Stakes.
Trustyourinstinct powered to glory in the TonyBet ‘We’re Here to Play’ Stakes making it a victory for each member of the O’Brien family as Joseph joined the party.
Teenage jockey Wayne Hassett then led Fighter to glory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Petingo Handicap before Ross O’Sullivan’s Dance Night Andday sprung a surprise in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Sovereign Path Handicap while Vera’s Secret eased clear in the finale under Nathan Crosse.
The Irish Champions Festival action continues at the Curragh on Sunday, starting at 1.50opm, headlined by the Comer Group International Irish St Leger at 4.45pm.