Events / Malcolm Pannett / 01 September 2009 /

First run in 1984 as the Phoenix Champion Stakes and held, as the name suggests, at Phoenix Park the race now known as the Irish Champion Stakes replaced the Group 1 Joe McGrath Memorial which had been run at Leopardstown. Ironically after Phoenix Park closed in 1990, due to financial reasons, the race transferred to Leopardstown and was given its present name. Malcolm Pannett takes up the story...

Although the likes of Chief Singer, El Gran Senor and Secreto sidestepped the inaugural running of the Irish Champion Stakes it was still won by a horse that had a remarkable impact on the breed namely Sadler's Wells (see below) who went on to become one of the leading sires of the 20th Century.

The son of Northern Dancer was followed by Commanche Run (1985) the previous season's St Leger winner; Nassau Stakes-winner Park Express (1986); Triptytch (1987) the wonder mare who was the first of her sex to win the Irish 2000 Guineas; Indian Skimmer (1988) who took the Prix de Diane the season before; and Carroll House (1989) who followed up by winning the Arc.

Elmaamul (1990), that year's Eclipse winner, completed the roll call at Phoenix Park. The first winner at Leopardstown was the Prix du Jockey Club-winner Suave Dancer (1991) who went on to add the Arc.

The 1992 renewal provided an intriguing clash between the English-trained Dr Devious and the Irish-trained St Jovite. The former has won the Derby at the other's expense however the placings had been reversed in the Irish version. Suave Dancer was sent off odds-on to confirm his home advantage but was caught in the last stride by Peter Chapple-Hyam's charge. The pair did meet again but although St Jovite beat Dr Devious it was for fourth and sixth behind Subotica in the Arc.

Other notable winners include dual Prince of Wales's Stakes winner Muhtarram; King George-victor Pentire (1995); and the Michael Stoute-trained pair Cezanne (1994) and Pilsudski (1997).

Nine of the last 11 races have been won by Coolmore or Godolphin who apart from winners have been responsible for a multitude of placed horses including the first five home in 2001. The boys in blue won with Swain (1998); Daylami (1999) (see below); Fantastic Light (2001) and Grandera (2002). While Aidan O'Brien's successes have come via Giant's Causeway ((2000); High Chaparral (2003); Oratorio (2005); and the only dual-winner Dylan Thomas (2006 and 2007).

The Joe McGrath Memorial was inaugurated in 1976 and won by that year's Irish Derby-winner Malacate. Irish 2000Guineas-winner Kings Lake (1981), Irish Derby-winner Assert (1982) and Japan Cup-winner Stanerra (1983) also won the contest. The eponymous hero - who had an eventful life as a politician, builder, car dealer and founder of the Irish Hospitals Trust and in turn the Irish Hospitals' Sweepstake - was a leading owner and breeder and his Arctic Prince won the 1951 Derby. He died in 1966.

25 years ago - Sadler's Wells wins the inaugural running. Taking over from Princess Pati in the straight the Robert Sangster-owned Eclipse-winner had just enough petrol in the tank to hold on by three parts of a length from the late challenge of Seattle Song. After disappointing in the Arc, when he looked over the top, Sadler's Wells retired to stud and the rest as they say is history. His prodigious efforts at stud helped launch the Coolmore operation into the stratosphere with the likes of Old Vic, Galileo, Montjeu and the 2003-winner of the Irish Champion Stakes High Chaparral. The 14-times Champion Sire was also responsible for three-time Champion Hurdler Istabraq.

10 years ago - Frankie Dettori made good use of the ground allowed him on the inside to win handsomely on Daylami. The grey son of Doyoun, who had won the Poule d'Essai de Poulains and Eclipse in previous seasons, completed a seasonal hat-trick with his nine-length demolition of Dazzling Park having already won the Coronation Cup and King George. The then five-year-old failed to fire in the Arc before ending his career with a vengeance taking the Breeders' Cup Turf to make it 11 wins from 21 runs.

Five years ago - John Oxx, who had trained Timarida to win in 1996, gained his second success when Azamour finished like a train to beat Norse Dancer and in the process record his fourth career victory. The son of Night Shift, who arrived on the back of success in the St James's Palace, still had three to pass entering the final furlong but found plenty to win by half a length with Powerscourt third and Irish Derby-winner Grey Swallow fourth. Favourite Doyen disappointed and was eased close home in the end only beating his pacesetter Millstreet home. Azamour won the nest season's King George then finished a close fifth behind Oratorio and Motivator back in the Irish Champion Stakes before closing his account with third place in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Last year - Derby-winner New Approach, who had been third in the International Stakes at York, regained the winning thread. Sent off at 8/13 favourite the son of Galileo took the lead in the early part of the straight and had to stay on well to hold the challenge of 50/1 shot Traffic Guard by half a length. New Approach had more in hand, six lengths to be precise, when he added the English version on his swansong.

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