Los Angeles has been cut in the ante-post market on the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, with Economics ruled out.
The William Haggas-trained Economics had been seen as one of the main dangers to Aidan O’Brien’s star, following a three-year-old campaign that saw him win the Dante Stakes and Irish Champion Stakes.
He was due to make his reappearance on day two of the Royal fixture, but Haggas told the Racing Post he would not be running and was “out in the short term, but it’s no big deal and hopefully he can be back in action soon”.
In his absence Los Angeles is the 3-1 favourite from 7-2 with William Hill, with Owen Burrows’ Champion Stakes winner Anmaat next best at 4-1.
William Hill spokesman Lee Phelps said: “News that William Haggas’ Economics has been ruled out of Royal Ascot has shaken up the Prince of Wales’s Stakes market.
“With one of his key competitors out, we have clipped Los Angeles from 7-2 to 3-1 at the head of the market.
“One horse we’re now fearing could be a popular pick is Anmaat after a strong reappearance behind Los Angeles at the Curragh and the Champion Stakes winner could be the punters’ pick at 4-1.
“Economics had been third in the betting, but that place now belongs to Wathnan Racing’s French raider Map Of Stars (5-1).”
Paddy Power make Los Angeles a 5-2 chance, with Map Of Stars 4-1 and Anmaat 9-2.
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Economics is very much on course for a return to action in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and is reported to have “done really well from three to four”.
William Haggas only managed to get one run into him as a juvenile but the son of Night Of Thunder soon made up for lost time last term, stepping up on a Newbury maiden win to demolish his Dante rivals at York by six lengths.
Connections resisted the temptation to go for the Derby with such an unfurnished type and he rewarded that patience with a Group Two triumph at Deauville and then a thrilling victory in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, where he edged out Auguste Rodin by a neck.
Despite closing his campaign with a below-par effort in the Champion Stakes at Ascot, Economics remains one of the most exciting horses in training and is tipped for big things this season.
Assistant trainer Maureen Haggas told Racing TV: “The plan is to go to Ascot and he looks great. We’ve been happy with him and at the moment, he’s progressing as William wants, so it’s all systems go for Ascot.
“He’s done really well from three to four, he’s strengthened up, he’s got much more bulk about him and strength behind the saddle, so hopefully that will stand him in good stead.
“He always looked very leggy last year, he doesn’t look leggy anymore. He’s a big horse obviously, but he really has put on some muscle, which is good.”
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Economics could make his four-year-old return at Royal Ascot in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
Trained by William Haggas, the son of Night Of Thunder dazzled last season when winning both the Dante and Deauville’s Prix Guillaume d’Ornano impressively before coming out on top in an Irish Champion Stakes classic with Auguste Rodin at Leopardstown.
He failed to do the ‘Champion Stakes double’ when only sixth on his final start last term on Qipco British Champions Day, but will be given the chance for Ascot redemption when he heads to Berkshire in June for one of the royal meeting’s feature events.
“It’s obviously early days yet but the first race we’re planning is the Prince of Wales’s Stakes,” said Haggas.
“He’s done very well over the winter and developed really well and I’m really pleased with his condition. It will be great to see him back out.”
The Somerville Lodge handler could have plenty to look forward to as a raft of Classic contenders and big-race hopefuls prepare to return to the track in the coming weeks.
William Haggas is looking forward to the new season (Mike Egerton/PA)
And he has been buoyed by the early-season success of his Newmarket string both home and abroad.
Haggas added: “We’re happy at the moment and of course there’s a lot of things still to go wrong and hopefully some things to go right.
“It was nice to start with the Lincoln (won with Godwinson) and nice with Dubai Honour winning in Australia but the next month will be crucial too, so we hope for the best.”
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Economics is a bit “battered and bruised” following his defeat in the Qipco Champion Stakes on Saturday.
William Haggas’ three-year-old went into the contest with a huge reputation having been unbeaten in four starts this season, including the Irish Champion Stakes on his most recent outing.
However, he began to hang under pressure in the closing stages and was eventually beaten three and three-quarter lengths by Anmaat. It was reported by the vet after the race that he had bled from the nose.
“I think he’s fine, he’s a bit battered and bruised but we all are,” Haggas told Sky Sports Racing.
“I know it sounds bizarre, but I couldn’t see him being beaten. I thought he wouldn’t mind the ground, I thought he’d get the trip and gallop on well, so I can’t make any excuses.
“He didn’t win and we’ll have to regroup.
“It didn’t happen, he’s still a good horse in our opinion, with all that went wrong on Saturday, he still wasn’t beaten very far.
“Hopefully with a good winter off, he’ll be back next year to prove it.
“I don’t know what happened, we’ll have to go to work on him and sort it out. We’ll be taking every precaution.”
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Francis-Henri Graffard was left wondering what could have been after Calandagan narrowly failed to add to his Royal Ascot victory in the Qipco Champion Stakes.
The French raider thrived at the Berkshire track on summer ground when dazzling in the King Edward VII Stakes and then put up an almighty performance in defeat when second to City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York.
He was sent off the 6-4 favourite for this mouthwatering clash with Irish Champion Stakes hero Economics, but with soft ground and an unhelpful draw to contend with, Stephane Pasquier had to cutely weave his way to the front with half a furlong to run.
Calandagan was a taking winner at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)
However, connections were soon left disappointed and could only watch on as – with what appeared the hard work done – glory was snatched away by Jim Crowley aboard Owen Burrows’ 40-1 scorer Anmaat in the dying strides.
Calandagan’s trainer was proud of his charge’s performance, but was left rueing not only the troubled passage through the race, but also the testing conditions on British Champions Day.
Graffard said: “It was a very good effort and he was stumbling a few times on that ground and as Stephane said, he had to keep asking him to keep going in that ground and it didn’t suit him much.
“Second again – I am so upset. We had a very difficult draw, and in that ground this horse puts in too much effort.
“But we had a very good race, he quickened clear and I thought the race was for us. Then he got caught on the line, so that’s it.
“We didn’t see the winner coming and he met some trouble in running. He probably prefers a mile and a half and being in his own bubble where he can quicken very strongly. Today it was out of his pace and he then had trouble when starting to come with a run and then made his effort, it’s tough.
“He’s a very good horse and this year he has been winning or second all the time, I think he’s a very talented horse. We will give him a nice break now over the winter and hopefully we see him again next year. He deserves a nice break now.”
For William Haggas it is a case of back to the drawing board with Economics after the 2-1 second favourite failed to recreate his Irish Champion Stakes heroics.
Economics failed to fire in the Qipco Champion Stakes (Mike Egerton/PA)
Prior to the race Haggas conceded testing conditions were both an unknown and a worry, but refused to use the ground as an excuse. It was reported by the veterinary officer that the colt – who finished sixth – had bled from the nose during the race.
Haggas said: “He was a bit disappointing obviously, Tom (Marquand, jockey) felt the ground was a bit soft for him but I said I wasn’t going to use that as an excuse, so I’m not going to.
“He seems fine. There was a little bit of blood in his nose so we will sort that out and regroup.”
Marquand was in agreement that his mount was unsuited by the underfoot conditions, but hopes this is just a minor blip in the horse’s career.
The Economics team will have to regroup (Healy Racing/PA Wire)
He said: “It was obviously not the result we wanted it to be, but when you are contending with an unknown like the ground, it is tough. He’s been very good on good to firm ground, but today it just didn’t work out for us.
“Obviously the blood in the nose is a concern, but William and (wife) Maureen are the ones who see the horse every day and I just get on him at the races.
“They know him better than anyone and if there is a problem, they will be fixing it. Hopefully it is nothing serious that is going to impede him being the best horse he can be.”
He went on: “As a jockey you want Group One horses to stay with you and he is top horse, he showed that in the Irish Champion and I’m praying he stays around.”
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Calandagan and Economics will engage in what promises to be a captivating clash for the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.
It is a measure of the strength of the final all-aged Group One of the British Flat season that Irish Derby hero and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe third Los Angeles is only third best in a market dominated by Francis-Henri Graffard’s French raider and a horse William Haggas holds in the highest regard.
Calandagan edges it on official ratings, having backed up his brilliant victory in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot by finishing best of the rest behind City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International.
The Aga Khan-owned gelding has enjoyed a short break since that late-August effort and Graffard is delighted with his condition as he looks to follow in the hoofprints of recent French-trained Champion Stakes victors Cirrus Des Aigles (2011), Almanzor (2016) and Sealiway (2021).
Calandagan (left) chases home City Of Troy at York (Mike Egerton/PA)
“I’m very happy with Calandagan, he’s in very good form and ready to defend his chance on Saturday,” said Graffard
“The soft ground shouldn’t be an issue for him and I couldn’t be happier with him, so now we need a bit of luck in running.”
Calandagan is owned by the Aga Khan, who has previously won the race with Vayrann (1981) and Kalanisi (2000).
“We’re looking forward to it and Calandagan is very well,” said Georges Rimaud, manager of the Aga Khan Studs in France.
“It’s good to give them a break and I believe he has come back well and has worked very well, so we are very happy and we’ll see what will happen.
“I understand they have moved the course to the track with the smaller straight, so it’s going to be acceptable ground I believe.
“Of course, Economics is a very good horse, but it’s a Champion Stakes and you’ve got to be a champion (to win it), so it’s a good thing that there are good horses in there.”
Behind City Of Troy, Economics has been the breakout star of the 2024 Flat season.
Unbeaten in all four runs, he has won the Dante, a Group Two in France and confirmed his place at the top table when beating Auguste Rodin and Los Angeles in the Irish Champion Stakes.
Haggas resisted the temptation to run him in the Derby, despite his six-length win in the key trial at York, and in landing the Irish Champion Stakes – sponsored by the owner of Economics – it is hard to say the decision has not been vindicated.
The trainer said: “I think he’ll be OK on the ground because I think he’s very versatile, but it will be on the top of the list of excuses if it all goes wrong, I suppose.
“As hard as it is to miss the Derby, the relief of winning the Bahrain race on Champions Day in Ireland meant that possibly we had made the right decision.
“It was a very tough race and a very strong race. It’s a very complicated track is Leopardstown and I thought Tom (Marquand) was exceptional. He came in and said he’s a tough horse, as it was very messy. He asked a lot of him at various times and the horse didn’t let him down.”
While the Newmarket handler has no doubt his new stable star will stay a mile and a half in time, there was no great urge to run him in this year’s Arc.
“Only a fool would run him over anything else at the moment,” he said. “He’s run four times (this season) and three times over 10 furlongs – and he’s done very well.
“I think everyone who has watched him has come to the conclusion he might be just as effective over a mile and a half in time, he’ll go over that next year.
“Calandagan is obviously a very good horse and will be a danger to everyone. He has won over a mile and a half and I think he’ll need every inch of the trip, I think it will be very interesting.
“He’s a very smart horse, let’s hope they both get there and what will be, will be. He was very impressive at Ascot. I fancied our horse (Space Legend) in that race very much and he was binoculars away in second.”
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The Qipco Champion Stakes showdown between Economics and Calandagan is on after both were declared for the feature event at Ascot on British Champions Day.
William Haggas is no stranger to saddling the best his Newmarket stable has to offer in this race and Economics bids to become just the seventh horse to bank both the Irish Champion Stakes and British equivalent in the same year after downing Auguste Rodin with an impressive display at Leopardstown.
Meanwhile, Francis-Henri Graffard’s French raider Calandagan has already tasted success at Ascot this term when claiming the King Edward VII Stakes at the Royal meeting, with the gelded son of Gleneagles last seen chasing home City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International at York.
Calandagan winning at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)
Fellow French contender Iresine adds further spice to the occasion, representing Jean-Pierre Gauvin, as does Aidan O’Brien’s Los Angeles, a length and a quarter behind Economics in the Irish Champion, before finishing third in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Roger Varian’s Charyn heads the 13 scheduled to go to post for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, attempting to add to his phenomenal season to date.
A winner of the Queen Anne Stakes and Prix Jacques le Marois at the highest level, a tactical race on soft ground was his undoing when last seen in the Prix du Moulin.
Dylan Cunha’s Prague is an interesting contender, having been supplemented by connections following his Joel Stakes success recently, with French 2000 Guineas winner Metropolitan and last year’s runner-up Facteur Cheval giving France a strong hand in yet another race on the card.
Kyprios has never won on Qipco British Champions Day (Andrew Matthews/PA)
Kyprios and Trawlerman fought out a titanic tussle 12 months ago and Ballydoyle’s star stayer will have the chance to enhance his flawless season and turn the tables on John and Thady Gosden’s defending champion in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup.
Trawlerman’s stablemate Sweet William arrives on the back of a career best in the Doncaster Cup, with Tom Clover saddling an exciting recruit to the British staying division in Al Nayyir, who bolted up at Newmarket last month.
Kinross has been given the chance to reclaim the Qipco British Champions Sprint trophy just two weeks after giving way to Ramatuelle on Arc day, while his main opposition this time could be provided by Haggas’ Haydock Sprint Cup hero Montassib.
A field of 14 go to post for the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, where Andrew Balding’s September Stakes winner Kalpana seeks a first Group One success, in a race that also includes Sir Mark Prescott’s Tiffany and Yorkshire Oaks winner Content.
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William Haggas has confirmed his Qipco Champion Stakes favourite Economics an intended starter at Ascot whatever the weather on Saturday.
Due to its position in the calendar, British Champions Day can take place on very testing ground and just like 12 months ago, it appears Ascot’s contingency of racing on the inner round course will be needed if there is still heavy ground on the round course at 8am on Thursday.
Economics has only suffered one defeat in his career, on debut at Newmarket last November, and that came on heavy ground.
Since then his career has been one of rapid progression, winning a maiden, the Dante at York, a French Group Two and the Irish Champion Stakes.
“I’m not going to pull him out because of the ground. He’s won on fast ground this year, so we’ll see whether he copes with it,” said Haggas.
“I think he’ll be OK because I think he’s very versatile, but it will be on the top of the list of excuses if it all goes wrong I suppose.
“I’d prefer it to be on the outer course, but it is what it is, that’s the rule they’ve put in place. I never subscribed to that, I’d have been happy to run on the outer course if it was fit but they made a rule – I think it was driven by Sheikh Fahad (Qipco) as he’s the sponsor, which is fair enough.
“The inner course is a bit tight, but jumpers go round there so it’s absolutely fine.”
Looking back to last November, Haggas admits he had no inkling he was dealing with a potential champion at the time.
“He was a nice, big horse, but he was backwards as a two-year-old. He ran a very good race and I loved the way he finished, it was over seven furlongs and I loved the way he came home. A lot of ours run like that first time and then they can improve,” he said.
“We hoped with a good winter on his back he would improve, we fancied him strongly when he ran at Newbury and he won OK, you didn’t see a potential superstar but his last furlong was the best and the form held up.
“He won well and it became a question of where do we go next. It was the Dante and I don’t think any of us saw that coming.”
Up against Group One winner Ancient Wisdom, Listed winners Caviar Heights and Al Musmak and Aidan O’Brien’s Cambridge in that key Derby trial, Economics bolted up by six lengths.
However, despite being installed among the favourites for Epsom, Haggas resisted the temptation.
Economics pulled six lengths clear in the Dante (Mike Egerton/PA)
“At the time it looked a strong race, maybe not so much now but on paper it looked very good. There was Charlie’s (Appleby) horse (Ancient Wisdom), Aidan has Classic types in every trial and there were others,” said Haggas.
“We all love the Derby and we all want to win it, but the only winner we’ve had in the Derby (Shaamit) could hardly put one leg in front of the other the next day and he was a very similar horse.
“I should have been stronger with Khalifa (Dhasmal, owner) back then. He wanted to run in the King George, the horse was coming back to himself and finished third but that just finished him off.
“I think in life if you make a mistake that is fine, but if you make it twice you need telling off.
“Like grown-ups we spoke about it with Sheikh Isa (owner) and Jake (Warren, racing manager) and fortunately they rowed in with our way of thinking.”
Addeybb won the Champion Stakes in front of empty grandstands (Alan Crowhurst/PA)
Haggas won the Champion Stakes in 2020 with the much-travelled Addeybb, although there was one thing missing that afternoon – a crowd.
“The thing about when Addeybb won we were on our own, nobody was there. It was magnificent to win with him because he loved heavy ground, so when they moved to the inner track I was nervous it wouldn’t be soft enough, but he was imperious that day,” said Haggas.
Two years later Haggas looked nailed on to win another with Baaeed. The superstar horse of his day, he was sent off the 1-4 favourite to end his 11-race career unbeaten, but he could only finish fourth to Bay Bridge.
Haggas believes there are no comparisons between the pair, though.
He said: “He’s a different horse to Baaeed. The Derby was the big talking point this year, everyone had an opinion like always. With Baaeed it was when are we going to go a mile and a quarter and as soon as he did and won the Juddmonte then it was a mile and a half, but I never thought he’d be any good at a mile and a half and it was Alpinista’s year (in the Arc) when it was heavy.
“With hindsight I wish we’d taken Baaeed to the Irish Champion because he was fit and well and I think the space between the Juddmonte and Champions Day was a bit too long for a horse that had been in training for a considerable time, but we are all smart after the event.
“Also we were in the running for the trainers’ championship, which as an aside had nothing to do with it as it was Sheikha Hissa’s decision – but I was quite happy he didn’t go to Ireland as it would have won us nothing!”
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Big-race jockey Tom Marquand is banking on Economics displaying the class he showed in Ireland last time out when he lines up for the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
He is on course to face Calandagan, who gave City Of Troy a real fright in the Juddmonte International at York, after 17 horses stood their ground at Monday’s confirmation stage.
The William Haggas-trained Economics has been the breakout star of the season, winning all four of his races, and confirmed he was a real top-notcher when winning the Irish Champion Stakes out from Auguste Rodin.
Marquand is the lucky man on top and is also looking for his second win in the race.
He said: “I had another spin on Economics a couple of weeks ago and he felt fantastic. He’ll have to contend with slower ground than in Ireland, but we are hopeful he’s versatile in that respect and that he’ll be just as effective.
“Winning the Irish Champion Stakes on him was a massive thrill. He had to fight for it, but he showed how good he is, and we are hoping he’ll show that class again and win the Ascot version.
“I was lucky to win it before on Addeybb, and although he wasn’t quite my first English Group One, it’s a big day and a big race to win.”
Francis-Henri Graffard’s Calandagan shot to prominence with a six-length win in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Calandagan was a hugely impressive winner at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)
The gelding went on to prove he belonged at the highest level at York, and the clash between the pair is eagerly anticipated.
He will still be ridden by Stephane Pasquier, even though Mickael Barzalona has signed as retained rider for owner the Aga Khan in 2025.
“I’m definitely riding him at Ascot, and that’s good news for him and good news for me also. I rode him in work last week and he was very good. He is a fantastic horse and he’s in good form. When I rode him last week he was perfect,” said Pasquier.
“It’s a strong race, but Calandagan did something so special at Ascot and again at York. He has a very good turn of foot and it would need something very special to beat him. It would need City Of Troy to beat him!”
Adding further strength in depth are the likes of Anmaat, Al Riffa, Continuous, Los Angeles and King’s Gambit.
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There have been contrasting fortunes for William Haggas in the Qipco Champion Stakes down the years. But now Economics is ready to write his own chapter in the trainer’s Ascot record book.
It is somewhat hard to believe that only two years after the brilliant Baaeed brought the curtain down on his almost flawless career on British Champions Day, Haggas has another colt of such supreme quality about to embark on his journey to stardom.
The way the son of Night Of Thunder impressively outbattled Aidan O’Brien’s Auguste Rodin in the Irish Champion Stakes showed he is ready carry the mantle of Somerville Lodge flagbearer.
Economics (right) battles to victory against Auguste Rodin at Leopardstown (Healy Racing)
It is testament to the quality of horse Haggas’ Newmarket centre of excellence produces that the 64-year-old is so often a man in demand ahead of Ascot’s end-of-season showpiece, with Economics on the cusp of becoming just the seventh horse to bank both the Irish Champion Stakes and British equivalent in the same year.
“His form is there and he seems very well and as long as he can stay well and run to his best, I think he is sure to run a good race,” said Haggas. “He battled well in Ireland and was tactically good. He fought hard when he had to in a top-class race.”
Despite downing one Ballydoyle Derby winner in Auguste Rodin, Economics is unlikely to face off against the all-conquering City Of Troy, a blockbuster clash that momentarily became a possibility after his dazzling display in the Dante Stakes in May.
However, Haggas has never been one to be swayed by outside noise and with the decision made to skip Epsom, Economics was allowed the time to mature at his own pace while the racing world debated what could have happened if the season’s two best three-year-olds locked horns on the Surrey Downs.
Economics was brilliant in winning the Dante Stakes at York (Mike Egerton/PA)
That patient approach has began to pay dividends with a winning August return in Deauville, shortly followed up by Group One glory in Ireland and win or lose at Ascot, the very best of Economics could be seen next season.
“It’s history and you can’t worry about it,” said Haggas, explaining that once the decision to miss Epsom was made, there was no point thinking ‘what if’.
“What has happened has happened, and what you have done this morning you can’t remove. What you do tomorrow you can change before it happens.
“We just have to look at the horses and train them as we see fit, and hope the owners buy into what we are trying to do. If you look at him, he is a very big horse who should do well with a winter over his back.”
When asked if the Leopardstown triumph was vindication of that decisive early summer call, Haggas added: “Not really, but I was pleased he won a Group One as that makes things a lot easier.”
Tom Marquand guided Addeybb (left) to Champion Stakes glory (Alan Crowhurst/PA)
Economics would become Haggas’ second Champion Stakes winner if successful next weekend, but the handler had to suffer his fair share of defeat in the 10-furlong event before finally getting his hands on the trophy.
Chorist hit the crossbar in 2004 and Addeybb chased home Magical in 2019 before the globetrotting stalwart returned 12 months later to claim top honours.
Even then there was the caveat of Covid-19 to contend with, as Addeybb galloped to success in the shadows of empty grandstands.
“It was great, but it was Covid so a nightmare – nobody was there,” said Haggas.
“The main thing was we were there and we were thrilled. He was a great horse and won some great races for us down the years.”
After Addeybb it was Dubai Honour’s turn to go close in 2021 before the Champion Stakes became the scene of what was expected to be Baaeed’s glorious on-track farewell a year later.
Unbeaten and earning comparisons to Frankel after his scintillating Juddmonte International Stakes success, he was sent off the 1-4 favourite but could not repeat his Champions Day heroics of the previous year as Sir Michael Stoute’s Bay Bridge spoiled the party.
Baaeed earned superstar status (Mike Egerton/PA)
“He didn’t quite get the send-off, but he was a great horse for us,” continued Haggas.
“It was really unfortunate he didn’t win. It’s clever to say we could have run him in the QEII again and we would have run him in the Irish Champion Stakes if we were that clever.”
Now it is Economics’ turn to take centre stage at Ascot, but there will always those who wish the stars had aligned differently and City Of Troy was also heading to Berkshire to share the spotlight, rather than jetting off to the Del Mar sunshine for the Breeders’ Cup Classic on dirt.
“It would have been great to see Economics take him on,” said Haggas.
“You always want to prove your horse is the best one and that is probably never going to happen now this year.”
Economics and Charyn are two of the star names still in contention following the second entry stage for the five Group races on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot.
A total of 151 horses have stood their ground across the Champion Stakes, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, the British Champions Sprint, the Long Distance Cup and the Fillies & Mares Stakes, with several mouthwatering clashes in prospect.
The William Haggas-trained Economics is the likely favourite for the Qipco Champion Stakes as he bids to supplement his victory in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last time out. He may not have things all his own way, however, with French ace Calandagan chief among his likely rivals.
Calandagan in action at York (Mike Egerton/PA)
Aidan O’Brien’s top-class trio of City Of Troy, Los Angeles and Auguste Rodin are also among the 36 horses still in the mix, but all are being readied for alternative targets, namely the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Japan Cup respectively. As expected, King George hero Goliath has been taken out.
Roger Varian’s Charyn will bid to put the seal on his excellent campaign in the QEII, having already struck Group One gold in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot and the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville. He was only narrowly denied a top-level hat-trick in the Prix du Moulin on his most recent outing.
Varian said: “He’s in great form and Ascot, where he was very good in the Queen Anne, is the plan.
“He’s had a terrific season and it might have been even better, as he was arguably a bit unlucky at Longchamp in the Moulin, but at the start of the year we’d have been very happy to settle for what he’s already achieved.”
A big smile from Silvestre de Sousa as he returns aboard Charyn in Deauville (PA)
Charyn’s potential opponents among a total of 27 remaining entries include last year’s brilliant winner Big Rock (Maurizio Guarnieri), Metropolitan (Mario Baratti) and Notable Speech (Charlie Appleby).
The October 19 card kicks off with the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup, in which Kyprios is the star attraction, although he must first come through the Prix du Cadran this weekend.
Last year’s Long Distance Cup hero Trawlerman (John and Thady Gosden) is also among the 26 hopefuls for this season’s renewal, as is his Doncaster Cup-winning stablemate Sweet William and the ever-popular Trueshan (Alan King), who claimed this prize in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
The new kid on the staying block is Al Nayyir, who was touched off by Vauban on his first start for Tom Clover in the Lonsdale Cup at York in August and confirmed that was no fluke with a runaway success in the Listed Rose Bowl at Newmarket last week.
“Al Nayyir looks to have come out of his race at Newmarket nicely and he looks great, so all being well we are heading to Champions Day with him,” said Clover.
“Luke Morris had felt after riding work on him before Newmarket that he’d come forward for York, but even so I can’t say I expected him to win in quite the style he did.
“You sometimes get exaggerated distances on that easy ground, but with a smooth run I hope we can have a good crack at the Long Distance Cup.”
Kinross (Ralph Beckett), Mill Stream (Jane Chapple-Hyam) and Montassib (William Haggas) are three of 33 going forward for the Qipco British Champions Sprint.
Montassib returns under Cieren Fallon after winning the Sprint Cup at Haydock (PA)
Montassib won the Sprint Cup at Haydock last month, narrowly defeating the James Fanshawe-trained Kind Of Blue, who has since been snapped up by the Wathnan Racing team.
Fanshawe said: “Kind Of Blue has been in good form since his second in the Betfair Sprint Cup and James Doyle came and had a sit on him on Saturday as he’s now owned by Wathnan Racing. The Champions Sprint at Ascot is the plan for him and it’s a race we’ve won before with both Deacon Blues and The Tin Man.
“Kind Of Blue is out of a sister to Deacon Blues and a half-sister to The Tin Man, so he’s their nephew if you like. They were both four-year-olds when they won on Champions Day and Kind Of Blue is only three, but he’s by Blue Point and a big, strong colt. He hopefully has a bright future.”
The Qipco Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes sees 29 remain in contention with high-profile names such as Bluestocking (Ralph Beckett), Kalpana (Andrew Balding), Opera Singer (Aidan O’Brien), Content (Aidan O’Brien) and Emily Upjohn (John and Thady Gosden) all included.
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/8b7c2a57-08e8-4450-af4f-a41b0f26ece5-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-10-01 15:44:302024-10-01 18:00:11Economics and Charyn headline Champions Day fields
Francis-Henri Graffard reports Calandagan to be in “top form” as he builds up towards a mouthwatering clash with Economics in the Champion Stakes at Ascot next month.
So impressive when winning the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot by six lengths, the son of Gleneagles was last seen powering up the York straight to finish a clear second behind City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International.
Being a gelding, Calandagan is ineligible to run on home soil in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, therefore making Qipco British Champions Day on October 19 the obvious destination.
French dominance in The King Edward VII stakes! CALANDAGAN romps home under Stephane Pasquire for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard and owner H.H. Aga Khan. #RoyalAscotpic.twitter.com/F2WJkwxzvi
Graffard said: “Calandagan in top form and is training to go to Ascot.”
The three-year-old is the 2-1 second-favourite for the Champion Stakes with Paddy Power, who make the William Haggas-trained Irish Champion Stakes hero Economics their 6-4 favourite.
Another Graffard inmate with an upcoming top-level target is the regally-bred Zarigana, who took her career record to two from two with a dominant display in the Group Three Prix d’Aumale.
A granddaughter of the unbeaten Arc heroine Zarkava, the Siyouni filly is being readied for a return to ParisLongchamp on Arc weekend.
“Zarigana is a lovely filly and won nicely and she will be targeted at the Prix Marcel Boussac,” Graffard added.
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/277198441-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-09-19 09:38:472024-09-19 09:38:47Calandagan heading for big clash with Economics
William Haggas has ruled out a tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes hero Economics, who looks set to instead round off his season in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.
So impressive when winning the Dante Stakes at York in May, Economics sidestepped the Derby at Epsom, with Haggas preferring to play the long game with a horse viewed as a work in progress.
After returning from three months off the track with a Group Two victory in France, the Night Of Thunder colt stepped up to the highest level for the first time at Leopardstown on Saturday and showed plenty of tenacity to go with his undoubted talent to see off Auguste Rodin in a thrilling finish.
“We’ve had a bit of practice at making mistakes and we’ll never know if it was the right decision or not (to miss Epsom). He may well have won the Derby, but we felt it was the right thing to do to wait and thank God he won his Group One yesterday and sort of paid for the owner’s (Sheikh Isa, who sponsored the race) patience,” Haggas said on Racing TV’s Luck on Sunday programme.
“Tom (Marquand) was keen not to get too far back and subsequently he travelled a bit wide. He came in and said it was really messy and not how he wanted to do it all, but he still won.”
Haggas is confident Economics will stay further, but that avenue looks more likely to be explored next season than this, with the trainer keen to give his charge time to get over the toughest test of his short career to date.
He added: “For me, he wants slightly slower ground and he looks like he’s going to be at least as good at a mile and a half. I think he’ll stay well, but he’s not doing a bad job at a mile and a quarter at the moment.
“It’s pretty straightforward – we have a nice five weeks (until the Champion Stakes). He had a hard race yesterday and gave plenty, so he’ll need all of that time until the English Champion.
“It (Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe) was discussed yesterday and we toyed with it, but I think he had a tough race and going up to a mile and a half and another trip abroad, I don’t think that’s for him really.
“If he’s that good he can do the Arc next year with all that weight – plenty of four-year-olds have won that race.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/277456564-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-09-15 11:34:032024-09-15 11:34:03Haggas confirms Ascot not Paris will be next for Economics
It will take a special horse to end Aidan O’Brien’s stranglehold on the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes, but Tom Marquand is “extremely excited” to partner the imposing Economics when he faces the acid test of his credentials on Saturday.
William Haggas’ Night Of Thunder colt confirmed the promise of his dazzling Dante Stakes with a polished performance in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville.
Economics now takes the leap into both deep waters and enemy territory for the Leopardstown feature, with big-race pilot Marquand relishing what will be the toughest assignment of his mount’s career so far.
Marquand said: “I’m extremely excited, this has been the plan for a little while. France was obviously going to be the deciding factor if this stayed the plan or changed, but he won very well in Deauville and looked as good as we were all hoping he would be.
“I felt he was a lot more mature and he felt more effective in his stride. When he was motoring up to the line he was still extending, whereas at York once he got into top gear he was having a little wobble around and was quite immature still.
“Hopefully he will have taken another step forward from France, which I think he will have done, and there’s not much else to say other than it’s exciting and given us all something great to look forward to.”
He went on: “I’ve been lucky to ride some really good horses, but most of the good horses I have come across have been older horses where there is a general hole for those middle-distance types.
“For potential, though, he is the most exciting horse I have been involved with. We’re coming to the end of his three-year-old campaign and we still don’t really know what he is which is the exciting bit.”
Economics after winning at Newbury earlier this year (PA)
This venture to the Irish capital is leg one of an ambitious ‘Champion Stakes double’ Economics is seeking this autumn, with the Somerville Lodge runner also slated to run at Ascot on Qipco British Champions Day.
Only six horses have won both races in the same year and Marquand is well aware the might of Ballydoyle is standing in the way of the first hurdle, as his charge attempts to become the first British-trained winner since Roaring Lion in 2018.
“It’s a tough race, but it’s the Irish Champion Stakes, it’s meant to be,” continued Marquand.
“It’s no easy task by any means to go over to Ireland and win, but some others have been over in the past and managed it. He will need to be every bit as good as we hope he is – and maybe even a little bit more to win.
“It’s fantastic for Sheikh Isa and his family to have a horse in the race that they sponsor. They put so much into racing and to be rewarded with a horse with a real live chance in a race they have heavily invested in is great.”
Aidan O’Brien has a great record in this race (Damien Eagers/PA)
O’Brien has won this a record 12 times and the master of Ballydoyle saddles half the field as he seeks to extend his winning run to six straight years.
His two most recent winners, Luxembourg and Auguste Rodin, take part once again, and are joined by Irish Derby winner Los Angeles and Hans Andersen.
On Los Angeles, O’Brien said: “It will be interesting. He’s won around Leopardstown and it was soft ground when he won, but he’s a deceiving horse as he’s lazy and when he gets the front he doesn’t do much, so it’s just hard to assess him.
“For us, we’ll learn a lot about him in this race because there’ll be a strong, even pace and we will learn what kind of middle-distance type horse he’s going to be.”
Auguste Rodin bounced back from King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes disappointment when outbattling Luxembourg 12 months ago and O’Brien is backing the defending champion to return to his very best after hitting another bump in the road at Ascot in late July.
Auguste Rodin (left) and Luxembourg fight out the finish to last year’s Irish Champion Stakes (Damien Eagers/PA)
“He’s one of those horses who just about gets a mile and a half, but over a mile and a quarter he has loads of class,” O’Brien told Betfred TV.
“We’ve been very happy with him since Ascot, his work has been very good. He worked with a lot of zest the last day and we’re looking forward to seeing him run again.”
There is an international flavour to the contest provided by Japanese Arc hopeful Shin Emperor who will tune-up for ParisLongchamp by trying to add another major overseas prize to his handler Yoshito Yahagi’s stellar CV.
Along with Economics, Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter and Karl Burke’s Royal Rhyme will form the British raiding party having finished third and sixth respectively behind City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International Stakes.
Ghostwriter has been consistent all season (Tim Goode/PA)
For Ghostwriter, that York third was the latest strong performance in an excellent campaign and despite yet to gain the victory his efforts have deserved, his reputation is yet to be diminished.
“He’s ran very consistently right from the very beginning of the season,” said Cox.
“He continues to please me at home, his well-being and mannerisms show he’s in excellent form with himself. He’s run admirably against City Of Troy throughout this season, especially in his last run at York.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/276873246-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-09-13 12:23:262024-09-13 17:35:09Marquand ‘extremely excited’ to take major Economics test
Economics and Auguste Rodin are among 12 high-class contenders left in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at the confirmation stage for Saturday’s Leopardstown showpiece.
Trained by William Haggas and Aidan O’Brien respectively, Economics will be having his first start at Group One level, while in contrast last year’s winner Auguste Rodin is in search of his seventh Group One triumph.
O’Brien also retains the option of Irish Derby hero Los Angeles, 2022 winner Luxembourg, Continuous and Hans Andersen.
Auguste Rodin (left) beats Luxembourg in last year’s Irish Champion Stakes (Damien Eagers/PA)
Japanese raider Shin Emperor adds further spice, with Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter and Karl Burke’s Royal Rhyme furthering the British challenge.
A strong French contingent is in prospect, with Zarakem and Facteur Cheval left in by Jerome Reynier, while Metropolitan, the French 2000 Guineas winner, is still possible for Mario Baratti.
The first of six Group Ones across the two-day Irish Champions Festival is the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes, for which 14 fillies have stood their ground.
Donnacha O’Brien’s Porta Fortuna will line up chasing a Group One hat-trick after landing the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Falmouth at Newmarket, while the Burke-trained Fallen Angel – who beat Porta Fortuna in the Moyglare Stud Stakes 12 months ago – is set to make her first appearance since claiming Classic glory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas in May.
George Boughey’s Soprano could also travel from Britain, Jancis is set to put her unbeaten record on the line for Willie McCreery and Aidan O’Brien will rely on Ylang Ylang.
Sunday’s Curragh card is centred around the Comer Group International Irish St Leger, in which Ballydoyle’s star stayer Kyprios takes top billing.
The six-year-old was a beaten odds-on favourite when defending his crown in last year’s renewal, but has reestablished himself as the top dog in the division by winning each of his four starts this season, including big-race victories in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and the Goodwood Cup.
He might not have things all his own way this weekend, with his high-class stablemate Continuous among his potential rivals along with Marco Botti’s Giavellotto and the Willie Mullins-trained Vauban.
Bradsell and jockey Hollie Doyle after winning the Nunthorpe at York (Mike Egerton/PA)
Archie Watson’s dual Group One winner Bradsell heads the British challenge for the Group One Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes, with George Boughey’s Believing and Ken Condon’s defending champion Moss Tucker also among the 20 contenders.
Aidan O’Brien is responsible for six of the eight fillies in the mix for the Moyglare Stud Stakes, with the unbeaten Bedtime Story the likely favourite.
Promising stern opposition though are the Ger Lyons-trained course and distance winner Red Letter and Simmering, who has been supplemented by Ollie Sangster after winning a Group Three at Ascot and a Group Two in France on her last two starts.
O’Brien’s Henri Matisse heads a potential field of 10 runners in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes. The dual Group Two winner could be joined by stable companions Rock Of Cashel and The Parthenon, while Joseph O’Brien has both Cowardofthecounty and Scorthy Champ in the mix.
Hill Road is another worthy participant for Adrian Murray, while Charlie Appleby has supplemented the Vintage Stakes winner Aomori City, meaning he could head a British trio comprising of Wolf Of Badenoch and Seagulls Eleven, both trained by Hugo Palmer.
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/276290242-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-09-10 14:39:112024-09-10 14:39:11Economics and Auguste Rodin remain on collision course
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