50/1 shot Hotazhell gives Harrington a Group 1 success at Irish Champions Festival
rainer Jessica Harrington after winning The Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1) with Hotazhell
Hotazhell delivered the shock of the season with a 50-1 upset in the Group 1 €1.25 million Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes, the feature event on Day One of Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown on Saturday.
Trainer Jessica Harrington’s colt had a nose to spare over another outsider, 33-1 chance Wimbledon Hawkeye, trained by George Scott in Newmarket.
The result almost replicated Hotazhell’s victory in the Group1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis in Munich in July when Wimbledon Hawkeye ran a close third.
As expected, Ballydoyle controlled the race tempo with Lambourn leading Hawk Mountain with 11-8 favourite Constitution River in third before the tempo quickened entering the straight.
At this point, jockey Shane Foley made his move on Hotazhell from fourth position as Wimbledon Hawkeye got into the gear from the back of the field under Christophe Soumillon.
Constitution River and Ryan Moore found the lead with over a furlong to race but the run was short-lived. Hotazhell and Wimbledon Hawkeye swept past and the latter’s nose was in front one stride before the line.
But where it mattered, Foley had his mount a pixel in front to scoop the €711,000 first prize for the Silverton Hill Partnership of Bonnie and Tommy Hamilton in Kentucky, USA.
“I thought I was nailed on the line and it was a huge relief to get my number called. I have always said he is a really good horse. Jessie and Kate [Harrington] brought him back slowly this year and it has really paid dividends,” Foley said.
“I had a lovely spin around, following Ryan Moore, and he was settled and relaxed for me. When I gave him a squeeze into the straight, I could feel him pick up and I knew then we had a chance.
“It is brilliant for Jessie. She is a phenomenal woman. This one of the best days we will ever have together.”
For her part, a beaming Jessica Harrington said: “I didn’t think he deserved to be 50-1. People were saying the win in Germany wasn’t good enough but look at how they finished! It is so fantastic to win this. He is in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October and we will probably go there next.”
