Ghaiyyath Out to Dominate Irish Champion Stakes

It may have been a late call but Charlie Appleby believes Ghaiyyath is at the pinnacle of his career right now and expects another explosive showing in the Sept. 12 Irish Champion Stakes (G1) at Leopardstown from the Godolphin runner. 

It was only after watching Ghaiyyath work Sept. 9 that his trainer gave the green light to travel to Ireland, and his presence ensures the Irish Champion Stakes is arguably the most eagerly awaited race of the season so far. 

Ghaiyyath has already beaten both Magical and Japan. He was three lengths too good for the mare in the Juddmonte International (G1) at York last time and had 2 1/2 lengths to spare over Ryan Moore's mount in the Coral Eclipse (G1) at Sandown. 

Appleby said Sept. 11: "Ghaiyyath enjoyed a routine canter this morning and leaves later today.  He's fit and well and the layout of the track should suit him as he runs particularly well left-handed.

"This is his next big assignment and we couldn't be happier with him. We'll take it one race at a time as regards future plans, but this is a good fit in his schedule.

"This is a wonderful Godolphin story. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed has followed the progress of Ghaiyyath very closely from the time he was purchased as a foal five years ago and it is pleasing to see a descendant of Godolphin greats Dubai Millennium and Dubawi also making his mark at the highest level."

Winner of the Irish Champion Stakes in 2013 on The Fugue, William Buick has partnered Ghaiyyath on his last 10 starts.

Appleby said: "Last year, after Ghaiyyath won the group 1 in Germany (the Grosser Preis Von Baden) by 14 lengths, it is well documented that William said he's a monster. When you publicly make such a statement, there is clearly huge confidence attached, which I think is very evident in the way he rides the horse."

Buick said about the world's highest-rated horse, who is a best-priced 11-2 for next month's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1): "It's the right race for him, although it's obviously the competitive race you would expect. This is an Irish Champion Stakes and a race like that is always going to be full of quality. This one is no different, but following his wins in the Eclipse and International it was the obvious target.

"We know he loves the trip, the track should be good for him and the ground looks like it will be nice. He goes there in good shape and this year he has been very consistent. He really has not put a foot wrong all season. We're looking forward to it."

Magical Chases Irish Champion Repeat

Dylan Thomas is the only horse to have won the Irish Champion Stakes twice, doing the business in 2006-07, but Magical can repeat that remarkable feat with victory here, albeit with a different jockey on board. 

Ryan Moore was in the saddle for her silky smooth success last year, but he has snubbed her for Japan this time with Seamie Heffernan coming in for the ride. 

The only time Heffernan has had the pleasure of partnering Magical was in the Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) at the Curragh earlier this season, a race she won impressively from the front. 

Magical has six group 1 wins on her CV and, while she has three lengths to find on Ghaiyyath from their York clash, she is on home soil now and back to the scene of one of her most impressive triumphs. 

Aidan O'Brien, who is seeking a ninth win in the race, said: "Magical is a great mare, very straightforward. We've been tweaking things with her since York. It's only fractions, the little things, the smallest little tweak can make the biggest difference. We've been happy with her since York."

O'Brien believes you can put a big thick line through Japan's disappointing third in the July 25 QIPCO King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1), where he trailed in last of the three runners behind Enable. 

"Japan came back from Ascot very sore and was on the easy list for ten days," O'Brien said. "The soles of his feet were very sore and we put his disappointing run down to that. He went barefoot for ten days and his feet have settled down very well. We feel it is a legitimate excuse for the race and we've been very happy with him since.

"Ryan said when he turned into the straight at Ascot, he gave a big gasp, and that;s not usual for a fit horse like him. We were happy in one sense to see the following morning that the soles of his feet were quite sore as it gave a legitimate reason for that."

On group 2 winner Armory, O'Brien said: "We've been delighted with him since the last day at the Curragh where he won nicely and we feel he is progressing all the time."

Modest Expectations of Sottsass

Almanzor ousted the Aidan O'Brien challenge in 2016 when fending off Found in one of the most enthralling editions of the race in recent memory, and Jean-Claude Rouget returns to the scene of that memorable moment, this time with the very smart Sottsass. 

Last year's QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club (G1; French Derby) winner, a race in which he saw off Persian King by two lengths, has already won a group 1 this year, the Prix Ganay (G1) at Chantilly, and Rouget has booked former Irish champion Colin Keane for the ride. 

Rouget said: "Ghaiyyath seems to me pretty much untouchable at the moment. I think we'll be competitive for a place but, although we beat him over 2,400 meters (1 1/2 miles), this is 2,000 meters (1 1/4 miles). I hope Sottsass can run well and it will be good to finish in the first three."

Rounding out the field is Leo De Fury, who faces a very tough task indeed. His rating of 114 is 16 pounds inferior to Ghaiyyath so it will take an extraordinary performance for him to pull off a shock. 

Jessica Harrington said: "If he came back to his Mooresbridge Stakes run he could run a nice race. They went very hard that day and if they go quick again, which I think they will do, it will suit him. He'll be dropped in."