The storied grounds of Leopardstown are set to echo with the thundering hooves of champions as the Dublin Racing Festival kicks off on Saturday. All eyes in the equestrian world turn towards Galopin Des Champs, a standout in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup. With an unblemished record over fences at Leopardstown, this horse has charged headlong into the hearts of racing fans, boasting victories in all of his six runs on this very ground.
Legendary trainer Willie Mullins knows a winner, and in Galopin Des Champs, he seems to have a thoroughbred that dances on his toes, ready to extend his winning streak. This pursuit of his third consecutive title in the prestigious race positions him against nine formidable opponents, not the least of whom is stable companion and runner-up in the Savills Chase, Fact To File. The rivalries within Mullins’ own yard are compelling, with Embassy Gardens, Grangeclare West, I Am Maximus, and Minella Cocooner all vying for glory. But these are not the only challengers. From the stables of Henry de Bromhead comes Monty’s Star, and from the yard of Gavin Cromwell, the intriguing Inothewayurthinkin. The competition extends to Tara Lee Cogan’s Hewick and Gordon Elliott’s Conflated, the latter a celebrated winner of the 2022 Paddy Power Gold Cup.
The Dublin Racing Festival opens with the Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle, where the lineup is no less impressive. The seasoned hands of Willie Mullins present runners like Final Demand, Supersundae, Sounds Victorius, and Jasmin De Vaux. They are set against sharp contenders such as Des Kenneally’s Pray Tell, Henry de Bromhead’s Sommesky, and the deft Mozzies Sister trained by Declan Queally.
Another highlight of the festival is the Grade 1 Gannon’s City Recovery And Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle. Leading this assault is Sainte Lucie from Mullins’ skilled training, with fierce competitors like Hello Neighbour and Lady Vega Allen, who claimed top positions in the Grade 2 O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle, adding spice to the race. Declan Queally’s Bacchanalian and Joseph O’Brien’s Galileo Dame are also expected to have a say in the outcome.
As the day progresses, the Grade 1 Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase features six plucky contenders where Willie Mullins’ charge, Majborough and Ile Atlantique, are expected to do battle with Gordon Elliott’s Touch Me Not and Firefox. The field also includes Jeannot Lapin, the Leopardstown Christmas Festival victor under Gearoid O’Loughlin, and Patrick Neville’s promising Here Comes Georgie.
The Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle has not only attracted a significant field but also put Meetingofthewaters in a position to shine under the tutelage of Willie Mullins, potentially benefitting from being at the bottom of the weights. Filling out the high-weight rankings is Henry Daly’s Supreme Gift, joining others such as Gavin Cromwell’s Perceval Legallois, Mark Fahey’s Flicker Of Hope, and the resilient Gaoth Chuil trained by Ted Walsh.
Pushing the pulse yet higher, the Ryanair Handicap Chase enlists 14 determined entrants with Gavin Cromwell’s Midnight It Is and My Mate Mozzie staking their claims. Paul Nolan’s An Peann Dearg and Willie Mullins’ Shanbally Kid also show strong prospects. Rounding off the anticipated first day of races, the Grade 2 Paddy Power Play Card INH Flat Race pits Elliott’s Classical Creek and Koktail Brut against Charles Byrnes’ I Started A Joke and Willie Mullins’ Green Splendour, promising competitive action from start to finish.
This assembly of equine talent and strategic training prowess sets the stage for an unforgettable spectacle where racing enthusiasts will undoubtedly find racing narratives that are as colorful and intricate as the coats of the contenders themselves.
