Racing

Australia to face stellar field in Champion Stakes

Aidan O’Brien’s dual Derby winner will take on a maximum of 11 rivals at Leopardstown this weekend

Australia leads home The Grey Gatsby in The Juddmonte International Stakes at York last month. Photograph: Mike Egertone/PA Wire
Australia leads home The Grey Gatsby in The Juddmonte International Stakes at York last month. Photograph: Mike Egertone/PA Wire
Tue Sept 09 2014 - 14:22

Australia will face a maximum of 11 rivals when taking to the track once again in Saturday’s Irish Champion Stakes.

The Leopardstown Group One has drawn a number of Group One winners from Britain, headed by Roger Charlton's back-to-form Al Kazeem, who was second to The Fugue 12 months ago.

The Grey Gatsby and Mukhadram finished a respective second and fourth behind the Aidan O’Brien-trained dual Derby hero Australia in last month’s Juddmonte International at York and could be ready for a rematch.

Lady Cecil’s Noble Mission, winner of the Tattersalls Gold Cup, remains in the field after having had a break following his busy spring and early-summer campaign.

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O’Brien’s international raiders Adelaide and Magician are currently still engaged in the race, along with stablemates Kingfisher and Hall Of Mirrors.

Jim Bolger’s pair Parish Hall and Trading Leather, plus the Dermot Weld-trained Alkasser, complete the possible line-up.