Porta Fortuna Scores G1 Hat Trick in Matron
Green Impact Victorious in G2 Champions Juvenile
Breeders’ Cup Press Release
LEOPARDSTOWN, IRELAND ― Al Adiyat Racing’s Economics (GB) showed tremendous resolve to fend off Auguste Rodin (IRE) Saturday, supplying Tom Marquand with a Group 1 double on Irish Champions Weekend in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (G1) at Leopardstown. The victory earned the 3-year-old son of Night of Thunder (IRE) an automatic berth into the $5 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In.
The Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes was one of three Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series races to take place at Leopardstown on Saturday, along with the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes (G1) and KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes (G2). The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 82 Graded/Group stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, scheduled to be held at Del Mar on Nov. 1-2.
In the feature race, Royal Rhyme (IRE) and Luxembourg (IRE) set the pace, as Economics was settled much more prominently than in his previous start. As the field turned for home, Economics was sent forward by Marquand and picked off the front-running duo.
Last year’s winner Auguste Rodin quickened alongside Economics, and they fought out a remarkable finish, but it was Marquand’s mount who wanted it just a bit more. The Japanese challenger Shin Emperor (IRE) stayed on to finish third.
Marquand said: “I kept having to change plans. The tempo of the race wasn’t right for us, and he had to battle. He still has lots of maturing to do, but he’s so exciting.”
This victory is a huge relief for connections, especially for trainer William Haggas, who swerved the Betfred Derby (G1) earlier in the season after Economics won the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes (G2) impressively, in favor of a more patient approach with his promising 3-year-old colt.
Haggas said: “What a relief. It was messy, wasn’t it? Tom was keen to be more forward today, and I loved the horse’s head carriage at the end. I’m really pleased with him and he’s coming along nicely. He has a big future ahead of him as long as we don’t overdo him. His owner, Shaikh Isa, puts a lot into it and so I’m thrilled for him.”
Economics covered 1 1/4 miles in 2:03:20 over a course listed as good.
Porta Fortuna Scores G1 Hat Trick in Matron
The ultra-consistent Porta Fortuna (IRE) completed a hat-trick of Group 1 wins as she landed the 1-mile Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes (G1), securing an automatic entry into the $2 million Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1).
Sent off the 5-4 favorite for trainer Donnacha O’Brien with Marquand in the irons, the daughter of Caravaggio was well-fancied for this contest after winning the Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot followed by the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (G1) at Newmarket. The Karl Burke-trained Fallen Angel (IRE) led the field throughout the early stages, while Porta Fortuna sat handily in third. Marquand looked confident as the field turned for home, and once he unleashed his mount, the 3-year-old filly quickened up impressively to burst clear of her rivals and win by 1 length. Fallen Angel stayed on for second, ahead of the George Boughey-trained Soprano (IRE).
Speaking after Porta Fortuna had recorded a fourth career Group 1 win, Marquand said: “It’s a huge thrill. She’s electric and clearly the best filly in Europe over this distance. She was quicker to it than I thought she would be and killed the race in three strides. She’s an absolute star and a pleasure to be a part of.”
Porta Fortuna completed the 1-mile race in 1:40:67.
Green Impact Victorious in G2 Champions Juvenile
Green Impact (IRE), trained by Jessica Harrington, confirmed the form of his maiden win over Delacroix (IRE) in the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes (G2) to gain an automatic berth into this year’s $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1).
It was thought the Aidan O’Brien-trained Delacroix would reverse placings from his debut effort behind Green Impact as he was sent off a 5-6 favorite. However, his rider Ryan Moore was still settling his mount before the field turned for home. Green Impact, under Shane Foley, managed to gain first run on his rival and despite a late challenge from the fast-finishing Delacroix, he held on to win by a half-length. The front-running Bernard Shaw finished third.
Green Impact, owned by Marc Chan, completed the 1-mile contest in 1:39:52.
As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for the Challenge Series winners to start at this year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Breeders’ Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winners must be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program by the Championships’ pre-entry deadline of Oct. 21 to receive the rewards.
