Economics and Royal Rhyme are other British raiders at Leopardstown.
In a highly anticipated showdown at Leopardstown this Saturday, Ghostwriter is showcasing impressive form as he prepares to compete in the prestigious Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes, featuring an elite cast of eight contenders.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien is responsible for half the entrants in this esteemed race, which he has dominated with five consecutive victories. Among his representatives are recent champions Auguste Rodin and Luxembourg, alongside the Irish Derby winner Los Angeles. The lineup also includes the outsider Hans Anderson, expected to assume his typical role as the pace-setter.
This year, the British contingent poses a serious challenge, led by William Haggas’s Economics, who has built on his promising Dante victory with a strong performance at Deauville's Prix Guillaume d'Ornano.
Adding to the British challenge is Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter, who has shown remarkable consistency throughout the season. After finishing fourth in both the 2000 Guineas and the Prix du Jockey Club, he secured notable placements behind City Of Troy in both the Eclipse and the Juddmonte International Stakes.
While O’Brien’s highly regarded son of Justify will miss this race as he prepares for the Breeders’ Cup later this autumn, Ghostwriter’s trainer remains optimistic about his contender’s chances in the feature event.
“Ghostwriter is currently on his way to Ireland, and I’m very pleased with him,” stated Cox. “He’s in excellent form and has returned happily from York, where he delivered a fantastic performance. We’re hoping for good conditions at Leopardstown. Better ground will enhance his strengths, which is why we’re excited about the journey.”
Completing the British trio is Karl Burke’s Royal Rhyme, while Japan’s Shin Emperor has made the long trek from the Far East to compete in this Group One race, with trainer Yoshito Yahagi eyeing the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe next month.
