The Race for Supremacy: Who Will Triumph in the 2025 Irish Champion Stakes?
The 2025 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown is one of the most prestigious middle-distance races in Europe, attracting top-class runners, international talent, and established older horses.
Scheduled for Saturday, 13 September, this year's renewal brings together eight declared runners with a blend of proven Group 1 stars, improving prospects, and global challengers.
The betting market is lively, centering on strong form, tactical intrigue, and the potential for upsets in one of the season’s most context-rich contests.
The Favourite: Delacroix’s Rising Star
Delacroix now heads the market at 6/4 for trainer Aidan O'Brien and top jockey Christophe Soumillon, following the withdrawal of Ombudsman.
This three-year-old colt comes into the race off a productive campaign, having won top-level races earlier in the season, including the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
Delacroix has proven his stamina and turn of foot at 10 furlongs, and his second-place finish in the Juddmonte International at York suggested more to come.
Physically mature and tactically versatile, Delacroix has the pedigree (Galileo-line) and trainer expertise to make him a logical choice for punters.
With Soumillon replacing Ryan Moore, market confidence remains strong both for his racing style and O’Brien’s historic success with late-season campaigners.
Battling Veterans: Anmaat and White Birch
Anmaat, at 7/2, returns as the leading older horse in the line-up trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Chris Hayes.
The seven-year-old boasts solid, a mark of consistency and resilience at the top level.
High-profile wins and placings in Group races, including a solid effort to chase Delacroix home earlier this season, make him a key player if the race turns into a stamina test or the pace collapses.
Anmaat’s official rating underlines his ongoing competitiveness, while his ability to adapt tactically keeps him in contention should the race become a battle of races mid-pack rather than a pure sprint finish.
White Birch (11/2) carries a strong profile for trainer John Joseph Murphy and jockey Dylan McMonagle. Now five, he’s a reliable performer over ten furlongs, seen in form figures of 111-24 and a rating of 121.
Recent wins in pattern races have underlined his ability to handle different ground conditions and negotiate Leopardstown’s undulating track.
White Birch brings steadiness to the field, appealing to each-way punters wanting reliability and proven Group 1 placement at double-figure odds.
Global Dimension: Shin Emperor’s International Challenge
Shin Emperor, the Japanese raider trained by Yoshito Yahagi and ridden by Ryusei Sakai, adds international intrigue at odds of 6/1.
His form captures results across Japanese classics and international travel, including solid efforts in Dubai and previous Group successes.
Shin Emperor’s official rating (123) and Racing Post Rating (128) align closely with European and Irish stars, while his adaptability over ten furlongs makes him a natural challenger.
Sakai’s career has flourished through international opportunities, and Yahagi’s global training acumen gives Shin Emperor a tactical edge if the race is run at a searching pace or demands flexibility.
Past experiences suggest that Japanese horses can excel under pressure, especially given Leopardstown’s track and tempo; Shin Emperor will be well-supported by analysts seeking a “world stage” story.
The Improving Three-Year-Olds: Zahrann and Hotazhell
Zahrann (6/1), trained by Johnny Murtagh, is the field’s progressive three-year-old. Regular rider Ben Coen partners a horse with rapid improvement, bolstered by early season wins and strong performances in the King George V Cup and Royal Whip Stakes.
A horse still maturing, his tactical speed and finishing burst make him a viable each-way play. The Murtagh team believes he could surprise against older horses, especially if the race unfolds with a strong early pace or unsettled conditions.
Hotazhell (18/1) comes from the Jessica Harrington stable, with Shane Foley booked to ride.
He remains unproven at the very top level but has placed in high-quality Irish and British Group races, showing flashes of stamina and competitive drive.
If conditions deteriorate or the main contenders underperform, Hotazhell’s reliability and ability to stay the trip could see him out-run long odds.
Experienced Campaigners: Royal Champion, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Outsider Angles
Royal Champion (20/1) is a seven-year-old trained by Karl Burke and ridden by Clifford Lee.
He does have experience at Group 2 and handicap level, but his chances hinge on either pace collapse or perfect tactical placing.
While unlikely to win on ratings, he has the ability to sneak into the frame if the race becomes a grinder late in the stretch.
Mount Kilimanjaro (80/1) is Aidan O’Brien’s outsider, ridden by Ronan Whelan. He has yet to demonstrate Group 1 class but possesses stamina reserves and a trainer adept at producing surprise placings.
His role in the race could involve setting the pace or acting as a tactical foil for more-fancied stablemates.
The Betting Market
Recent renewals have shown the Irish Champion Stakes is rarely won by big outsiders.
Favourites and leading market choices have a strong record, especially those who have excelled in similar conditions earlier in the season.
The race’s betting market often shifts with withdrawals, jockey bookings, and ground conditions, so close attention to overnight news and race-day developments remains important.
Tactically, Leopardstown’s galloping track and long final straight favour those able to settle early and produce a strong finish.
Delacroix appears to have the ideal blend of speed and stamina, but White Birch, Zahrann, and Shin Emperor could benefit if jockeys misjudge the pace or weather adds unpredictability.
The international angle is particularly compelling in the 2025 Irish Champion Stakes.
Japanese horses have achieved significant results in European Group 1s in recent years, reflecting a shift in global breeding and conditioning approaches.
Shin Emperor’s campaign represents that trend and brings added interest to punters seeking value beyond the obvious Irish and British contenders.
Predictions and Final Thoughts
Given his current form, market support, and tactical versatility, Delacroix is the deserving favourite for the 2025 Irish Champion Stakes.
Soumillon’s booking and O’Brien’s strategic planning point to a championship performance if he can reproduce his Sandown and York form.
Anmaat and White Birch offer each-way stability for those wishing to hedge, while Shin Emperor could throw up an international success story if conditions suit.
Zahrann represents the best chance for three-year-olds to bridge the age gap, Hotazhell appeals as a resilient outsider, and Royal Champion and Mount Kilimanjaro round out a field brimming with depth and tactical intrigue.
With trends favouring market leaders but the race’s open nature inviting upset possibilities, the 2025 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown is set to deliver tactical battles, late drama, and crucial markers for the remainder of the flat season.
Whether the favourite confirms supremacy or an improver breaks through, Ireland’s flagship ten-furlong race continues to stand as a true test of class, stamina, and championship character.
BETFRED
