Economics, 2 others earn Breeders’ Cup berths at Leopardstown

Economics showed tremendous resolve to fend off Auguste Rodin  Saturday, supplying jockey Tom Marquand with a Group 1 double on Irish Champions Weekend in the Grade 1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

The victory earned Al Adiyat Racing’s 3-year-old son of Night of Thunder an automatic berth into the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf through the Breeders’ Cup win and you're in challenge series.

The Irish Champion Stakes was one of three Breeders’ Cup challenge series races to take place at Leopardstown on Saturday, along with the "Justify" Matron Stakes (G1) and Champions Juvenile Stakes (G2). The challenge series is an international series of 82 graded or group stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions in a corresponding race of the Breeders’ Cup, scheduled to be held at Del Mar on Nov. 1 and 2.

In the feature race, Royal Rhyme  and Luxembourg set the pace, as Economics was settled much more prominently than in his previous start. As the field turned for home, Economics was sent forward by Marquand and picked off the front-running duo.

Last year’s winner Auguste Rodin quickened alongside Economics, and they fought out a remarkable finish, but it was Marquand’s mount who wanted it just a bit more. The Japanese challenger Shin Emperor stayed on to finish third.

Marquand said: “I kept having to change plans. The tempo of the race wasn't right for us, and he had to battle. He still has lots of maturing to do, but he's so exciting.”

This victory is a huge relief for connections, especially for trainer William Haggas, who swerved the Betfred Derby (G1) earlier in the season after Economics won the Dubai Dante Stakes (G2) impressively, in favor of a more patient approach with his promising 3-year-old colt.

“What a relief. It was messy, wasn’t it?" Haggas said. "Tom was keen to be more forward today, and I loved the horse's head carriage at the end. I’m really pleased with him and he’s coming along nicely. He has a big future ahead of him as long as we don’t overdo him. His owner, Shaikh Isa, puts a lot into it and so I’m thrilled for him.”

Economics covered 1 1/4 miles in 2:03:20 over a course listed as good.

Porta Fortuna captures ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes

The ultra-consistent Porta Fortuna completed a hat-trick of Group 1 wins as she landed the 1-mile “Justify” Matron Stakes, securing an automatic entry into the $2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

Sent off the 5-4 favorite for trainer Donnacha O’Brien with Marquand in the irons, the daughter of Caravaggio was well-fancied for this contest after winning the Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot followed by the Falmouth Stakes (G1) at Newmarket.

The Karl Burke-trained Fallen Angel led the field throughout the early stages, while Porta Fortuna sat handily in third. Marquand looked confident as the field turned for home, and once he unleashed his mount, the 3-year-old filly quickened up impressively to burst clear of her rivals and win by a length. Fallen Angel stayed on for second, ahead of the George Boughey-trained Soprano.

Speaking after Porta Fortuna had recorded a fourth career Group 1 win, Marquand said: “It’s a huge thrill. She’s electric and clearly the best filly in Europe over this distance. She was quicker to it than I thought she would be and killed the race in three strides. She’s an absolute star and a pleasure to be a part of.”

Porta Fortuna completed the 1-mile race in 1:40:67.

Green Impact hangs on in Champions Juvenile Stakes

Green Impact, trained by Jessica Harrington, confirmed the form of his maiden win over Delacroix in the Champions Juvenile Stakes (G2) to gain an automatic berth into this year’s $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

It was thought the Aidan O’Brien-trained Delacroix would reverse placings from his debut effort behind Green Impact as he was sent off a 5-6 favorite. However, his rider Ryan Moore was still settling his mount before the field turned for home. Green Impact, under Shane Foley, managed to gain first run on his rival and despite a late challenge from the fast-finishing Delacroix, he held on to win by a half-length. The front-running Bernard Shaw finished third.

Green Impact, owned by Marc Chan, completed the mile contest in 1:39:52.