Godolphin‘s Masar is among 56 entries for the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 15.
The three-year-colt provided trainer Charlie Appleby with a first Classic success when claiming Saturday’s Epsom Derby and he would be a fascinating contender if making the trip across the Irish Sea in the autumn.
The John Gosden-trained Cracksman was the highest-rated horse in Europe last season and has won twice at Group One level so far this season, including a last-gasp success in last Friday’s Coronation Cup at Epsom.
His Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe-winning stablemate Enable has not been seen in competitive action so far in 2018 after suffering a setback, but is expected to return in August.
Sunday’s French Derby hero Study of Man has also been given the option by Pascal Bary and could bid to become the third horse in the last five years to win both the Prix du Jockey Club and the Irish Champion Stakes after The Grey Gatsby (2014) and Almanzor (2016).
Aidan O’Brien has a typically strong team including 2000 Guineas winner Saxon Warrior, the highly-regarded Amedeo Modigliani and Group One-winning fillies Hydrangea and Rhododendron.
The winners of both Irish Classics run so far this season are also in the early mix, with Ken Condon’s Romanised and the Jessica Harrington-trained Alpha Centauri holding entries.
The main event on day two of Irish Champions Weekend at the Curragh on September 16 is the Comer Group International Irish St Leger.
Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland said: “International competition is central to the further development of Longines Irish Champions Weekend and with the high-class entries for both the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes and the Comer Group International Irish St Leger, we can be happy with the progress the event is making on the world stage.”
