ELMONT, N.Y. – The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced it has partnered with FOX Sports to present live coverage and analysis of Opening Day of Longines Irish Champions Weekend from Leopardstown Racecourse in Dublin, Ireland.
Saturday’s special broadcast will air on FS2 from 10-11:30 a.m. Eastern, and will be headlined by pair of Group 1 races: the £1 million Irish Champion Stakes and the £250,000 Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes. In addition to the Group 1 events, Saturday’s broadcast will also include the Group 2, £125,000 KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes.
All three races are part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series with the winners earning automatic and free entry to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on November 6 and 7 at Keeneland Race Course. The winner of the Irish Champion Stakes heads to the Breeders’ Cup Longines Turf, with the winner of Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes qualifying for the Maker’s Mark Filly & Mare Turf. The KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes winner will head to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.
Post time for the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes for 3-year-olds & up at 1 ¼ miles on the turf will be 11:10 a.m. Coverage of the Group 1, £250,000 Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes for fillies, 3-years-old & up at 1 mile on the turf is at 10:10 a.m.; with the Group 2, £125,000 KPMG Champions Juvenile for 2-year-olds at 1 mile on the turf, set for 10:40 a.m. All times are Eastern.
Hosted by Hugh Cahill, Saturday’s broadcast team at Leopardstown will include analysts Ruby Walsh and Jane Mangan, commentator Richard Pugh and reporter Brian Gleeson. NYRA’s Acacia Courtney will anchor the stateside coverage originating from Belmont Park.
NYRA Bets is the best way to bet every race during the Longines Irish Champions Weekend. Available to customers across the United States, the NYRA Bets app is available on iOS and Android at NYRABets.com.
Press Release
