Japanese star Just A Way has been given an entry in the Irish Champions Stakes.
The race is the showpiece of the inaugural Irish Champions Weekend on September 13 and 14, and if either he or compatriot Denim And Ruby take part, they will be the first to represent Asia in Ireland.
Just A Way is currently the top-rated racehorse in the world after his demolition job in the Dubai Duty Free while Denim And Ruby was beaten a whisker by Gentildonna in the Japan Cup.
In total, 22 individual Group One winners feature among the 61 entries which include Cirrus Des Aigles, African Story, Magician, Al Kazeem, Ruler Of The World, The Fugue, Sky Lantern, Chicquita, Australia and Toast Of New York.
“The increased prize money for the race of 1 million ($A1.5 million), made possible by Qipco’s generous sponsorship and HRI’s financial support for the meeting, has enabled us to attract an international entry of outstanding quality, which has exceeded even our loftiest ambitions,” Leopardstown chief executive Pat Keogh said.
“We hope that this will encourage many international visitors and domestic racegoers to book early for what will truly be a memorable day’s racing at Leopardstown, on Saturday, September 13, as part of Irish Champions Weekend.”
Denim And Ruby has also been entered for the Irish St Leger along with the Queen’s Gold Cup winner Estimate, Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden and dual Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux.
