Luxembourg digs deep to claim Irish Champion Stakes crown

Luxembourg is back in the big time after landing the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore.

Forced to miss the Derby with a setback after finishing third in the 2000 Guineas, the Camelot colt travelled in mid-division in the 10-furlong showpiece after starting at 7-2, allowing stablemate Stone Age to take a clear early lead before clicking into gear two furlongs from home.

After reeling Stone Age in, Luxembourg swept to the front and came out on top in battle with Grand Prix de Paris winner Onesto to prevail by half a length.

Fellow French raider Vadeni (7-4 favourite) did not have the clearest of passages in third, ahead of Mishriff in fourth.

A delighted O'Brien said: "It was unbelievable from a lot of people (to get the horse back) and Ryan gave him an incredible ride. We felt going to the Curragh (for the Royal Whip) that he was only ready for a racecourse gallop.

"He couldn't come here unless he'd had a race, and that's why we were so happy with him at the Curragh. He had 20 to 30 per cent to improve from the Curragh, and you usually don't run a race in a Group race like that.

"The plan and the dream was, if we could get him back, we'd mapped out three races for him - if we could get him to the Curragh he could come here and if he came here he could go to the Arc. The pace was solid and it was an even pace. He's obviously a very good horse.

"Ryan nearly fell off him in the Guineas (after stumbling leaving the stalls) and he was only beaten a couple of lengths. He had to be a bit different to do what he did in the Guineas.

"He wasn't surrendering at the line today and he could be better over a mile and a half. His head was in the cooker a long way up that straight and he didn't stop.

"Ryan was very impressed and he's not an optimist by nature! Usually if he's a little bit impressed that will do.

"I don't think we have had an atmosphere at a Flat meeting in Ireland like this in a long time. He got applauded as he went out which is very rare."

Moore said: "It was a good, fair race. He's beaten some good three-year-olds, some good older horses, he always felt like he was in control of the race.

"He went a bit green when he first went there and in the last furlong, the Frankel horse, Onesto, he was always there but I always felt I had him.

"It was a very professional, but very likeable performance."

The colt is now a 6-1 chance for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with Coral and, like O'Brien, Moore has few doubts about his ability to see out a mile and a half.

"He was comfortable at 10 (furlongs) today, I always felt that if I had to ask for a bit more, he would have found a bit more," he said.

"I wouldn't say a mile and a half would be a problem."

Vadeni will miss a potential clash with Baaeed in Paris after being ruled out of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe by trainer Jean-Claude Rouget.

The French-trained colt finished third to Luxembourg in a strong renewal of the Irish Champion Stakes.

Last seen winning the Eclipse at Sandown in July, Christophe Soumillon’s mount did not have much luck in running during the 10-furlong contest.

Vadeni, who had been a general 10-1 for the Arc on October 2, had to weave his way through the field to get within a length and a half of the winner.

Rouget was offering no excuses for the 7-4 favourite and said: “He came up the outside and then he had to go inside and he was having to do a slalom, like in skiing.

“So it was quite a good run. He was in front of Mishriff like he was last time and we can’t win every race.

“I think he was a bit unlucky, but I think the result is correct with a very strong pace in front.

“I don’t know what the plan is, but not the Arc for now. Maybe he goes to Ascot (Qipco British Champion Stakes on October 15) if the ground is better. Maybe.”

Connections of Mishriff are considering a tilt at the Breeders’ Cup Turf after he finished a gallant fourth.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained colt, who many considered to be slightly unlucky in running when beaten a neck in the Eclipse, finished three-quarters of a length behind the French challenger this time.

Jockey Colin Keane, who replaced injured James Doyle, held up Mishriff in the early stages and he stayed on well inside the last furlong, despite running on slower ground which did not appear to suit.

Thady Gosden said: “They had plenty of rain here during the week, but the drying conditions made the ground a bit tacky and holding.

“He managed to pick up on it once, but he couldn’t quite do it a second time and the first three are top-class horses.

“The ground wasn’t perhaps to his liking and all credit to the winner.”

The Prince Faisal-owned Mishriff, who was a runaway winner of the Juddmonte International last season and who had finished six and a half lengths behind the world’s top-rated horse Baaeed in defence of his York crown on his previous run, could now head to Keeneland on November 5.

Prince Faisal’s racing manager, Ted Voute, said: “Post-race, John Gosden would like to consider the Breeders’ Cup Turf over a mile and a half.

“Colin Keane felt the ground was drying and felt a bit dead, which he wasn’t happy on. He finished well, considering.

“Prince Faisal has said that the Breeders’ Cup wasn’t out of the question, provided he comes out of the race well.”