Irish Champion Stakes 2026: quick result round-up
Hotazhell stunned Leopardstown at 50-1, and trainer Jessica Harrington wasn’t shy about saying she disagreed with that price.
Hotazhell won the Irish Champion Stakes at 50-1. Trainer Jessica Harrington, now 80, is the most decorated female trainer in the sport’s history. This was her first win in this particular Group 1. Jockey Shane Foley held on by a nose from Wimbledon Hawkeye, with favourite Constitution River only third.
How the race was run
Lambourn set the pace early, with Constitution River, a rematch bid against his Juddmonte International conqueror Item, hitting the front a furlong out. He couldn’t hold on. Hotazhell and Wimbledon Hawkeye swept past him in a driving finish.
Foley and Hotazhell drifted left under pressure, setting off a chain reaction among the beaten horses. Foley was later banned for 11 days for careless riding. Constitution River faded to finish third, well behind the front two.
Harrington didn’t hold back
Harrington took over training from her late husband 39 years ago. She has since won the Gold Cup, the Champion Chase and the Champion Hurdle. Hotazhell had won a Group 1 in Germany last time out. She felt 50-1 undersold him badly.
“I didn’t think he deserved to be 50-1,” she said. Asked where this ranks among her career highlights, she didn’t hesitate: “It would have to be right up at the top.”
Hotazhell’s next assignment is already decided. Harrington confirmed he heads to the British Champions Stakes at Ascot next month.
The same afternoon, Saffie Osborne made her own piece of history at Doncaster. She became the first woman to ride a British Classic winner, on Highwayman in the St Leger.
Key facts
- Result: 1st Hotazhell (50/1), 2nd Wimbledon Hawkeye (33/1, beaten a nose), 3rd Constitution River (11/8f)
- Trainer / jockey: Jessica Harrington / Shane Foley
- Distance / prize: 1m2f; €1.25m total, Royal Bahrain-sponsored
- Of note: Foley received an 11-day careless riding ban for interference in the straight
- Next target: British Champions Stakes, Ascot, next month
- Context: headline Group 1 of Irish Champions Weekend, over €5m in prize money across six Group 1 races at Leopardstown and the Curragh
