2026 Irish Champions Stakes Race Results

Official race results and payouts are listed below:

Exotic Payoffs:

• $1 Exacta (2-4) Paid: €6.50
• $0.50 Trifecta (2-4-6) Paid: €58.00

Watch the 2026 Irish Champions Stakes

History of the Irish Champions Stakes

The Irish Champion Stakes, staged each September at Leopardstown Racecourse in Dublin, is one of Europe’s most prestigious middle-distance contests. First run in 1976, the race was established to provide Ireland with a marquee 1¼-mile turf event capable of attracting international competition. Initially carrying Group 1 status and offering significant prize money, it quickly gained a reputation as a proving ground for the best three-year-olds and older horses from across Europe.

From the beginning, the Irish Champion Stakes was designed to bridge the Irish flat season with other major late-summer and autumn targets such as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Champion Stakes at Ascot. Its September placement made it an ideal clash point between classic-season sophomores and seasoned older horses, and the roll call of winners reflects that balance. Champions such as Sadler’s Wells, Golden Fleece, Giant’s Causeway, and Sea The Stars all used Leopardstown as a stage to underline their greatness.

Over time, the race’s prestige has only grown. Since 2014, the Irish Champion Stakes has been the centerpiece of Irish Champions Weekend, sharing the spotlight with the Irish St. Leger at the Curragh and drawing global attention to Ireland’s racing calendar. In recent years, it has also taken on added significance as a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Turf, tying its rich local tradition to the international stage. With a purse of €1.25 million in 2026, the race continues to rank among the most valuable and competitive turf events in the world, routinely attracting elite jockeys, legendary trainers, and runners bred to excel at the highest level.

All-Time Results for the Irish Champions Stakes