The 2025 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown showcases some of the best thoroughbreds, with Delacroix as the early favorite and Royal Champion highlighted as a value bet after an impressive performance at York. Key contenders include Anmaat, Zahrann, Shin Emperor, and White Birch. The analysis suggests Royal Champion’s recent form, track experience, and fitness give him a shot at challenging the favorite. Bettors are advised to consider Royal Champion as an outsider with genuine win prospects in this illustrious Group One event.
Tips and betting predictions for the 2025 Irish Champion Stakes
This Group One takes place on day one of Irish Champions Weekend on Saturday 13th September
We're backing Royal Champion each-way at 20/1
Expired
Irish Champion Stakes. (Getty)
Irish Champions Weekend kicks off with an excellent card at Leopardstown on Saturday. The main event on the card is the Irish Champion Stakes, a Group One which has been won by legendary horses like Dylan Thomas, Golden Horn and Sea The Stars.
Here's our free guide to the 2025 Irish Champion Stakes, including our best betting tips.
2025 Irish Champion Stakes Odds
Name
Odds
Delacroix
5/4
Anmaat
5/1
Zahrann
6/1
Shin Emperor
6/1
White Birch
10/1
Bar
20/1
2025 Irish Champion Stakes Runners
Sadly, we won't be treated to a third clash between Delacroix and Ombudsman, as John Gosden's star won't be travelling to Ireland. Delacroix beat his rival in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown before that form was reversed in the Juddmonte International Stakes.
The Aga Khan's colours will be carried by Johnny Murtagh's Zahrann, who could make his Group One debut following an impressive victory in the Royal Whip Stakes. Japanese star, Shin Emperor flew home to finish a length-third to Economics in this race 12 months ago and will again represent Yoshito Yahagi.
British Champion Stakes winner, Anmaat heads to Leopardstown before returning to Ascot for Champions Day. John Murphy has entered former Group One winner White Birch, who hasn't been seen since the Tattersalls Gold Cup. Karl Burke could be represented by Royal Champion, following his stunning victory in the York Stakes.
Aidan O'Brien has handed further Irish Champions Weekend entries to Expanded, Mount Kilimanjaro and Serengheti - and any of the trio will likely be used as a pacemaker for Delacroix. Other potential runners include Dermot Weld's Purview, and Hotazhell for Jessica Harrington.
Royal Champion winning the 2023 Wolferton Stakes. (Getty)
2025 Irish Champion Stakes Tips
Karl Burke loves to have runners on Irish Champions Weekend, and there are plenty of reasons why ROYAL CHAMPION (20/1) is overpriced here at 20/1.
Burke's seven-year-old was wildly impressive when landing the York Stakes on his most recent outing in July. Royal Champion tanked into contention and Clifford Lee was still unmoved in the saddle as his rivals got to work at the two pole. Once asked for an effort, Lee's mount powered clear of favourite Almaqam and was still pulling clear of his rivals when he crossed the line a three-length winner.
That was comfortably a career-best effort from Royal Champion, who has previously only produced top form in Listed and Group Three company. Burke's gelding has plenty of experience running around tight, left-handed tracks - both on turf and the all-weather - so I'm confident that the course at Leopardstown will be right up his street.
True, Royal Champion's previous efforts at Group One level haven't been great - barring a runner-up effort to Nations Pride out in Canada. However, he'll enjoy quicker ground more than Anmaat, is proven at a higher level than Zahrann, and should be fitter than Shin Emperor and White Birch - both of whom have been off the track for well over 100 days.
Delacroix will be a tough nut to crack and Aidan O'Brien will ensure the race is run to suit. However, I see no reason why Royal Champion can't reproduce the performance we saw at York - and that could be enough to challenge for the victory.
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