The Irish Derby is cutting up

There isn't a single world class Irish horse race imho. France has the Arc, England has the Derby/Guineas, the US have the Kentucky Derby/Breeders cup classic....

There isn't a single Irish race national hunt or flat where trainers would specifically aim  a horse or where foreign trainers would be enticed.

I thoroughly agree, it is shocking no French trainer sees the race as worth a carrot. HRI should be questioned as to what they have done to try to promote the race(s) in France

The Irish Champion Stakes R.Q. would be well up there with the best


00    Giant's Causeway    3    Michael Kinane    Aidan O'Brien    Magnier / Tabor    2:03.10
2001    Fantastic Light    5    Frankie Dettori    Saeed bin Suroor    Godolphin    2:01.80
2002    Grandera    4    Frankie Dettori    Saeed bin Suroor    Godolphin    2:04.70
2003    High Chaparral    4    Michael Kinane    Aidan O'Brien    Tabor / Magnier    2:03.30
2004    Azamour    3    Michael Kinane    John Oxx    HH Aga Khan IV    2:01.90
2005    Oratorio    3    Kieren Fallon    Aidan O'Brien    Magnier / Tabor    2:03.90
2006    Dylan Thomas    3    Kieren Fallon    Aidan O'Brien    Magnier / Tabor    2:02.90
2007    Dylan Thomas    4    Kieren Fallon    Aidan O'Brien    Magnier / Tabor    2:02.27
2008    New Approach    3    Kevin Manning    Jim Bolger    Princess Haya of Jordan    2:07.57
2009    Sea the Stars    3    Michael Kinane    John Oxx    Christopher Tsui    2:03.90
2010    Cape Blanco    3    Seamie Heffernan    Aidan O'Brien    Smith / Magnier / Tabor    2:03:89
2011    So You Think    5    Seamie Heffernan    Aidan O'Brien    Derrick Smith et al.    2:04.20
2012    Snow Fairy    5    Frankie Dettori    Ed Dunlop    Anamoine Limited    2:00.92
2013    The Fugue    4    William Buick    John Gosden    Andrew Lloyd Webber    2:05.22
2014    The Grey Gatsby    3    Ryan Moore    Kevin Ryan    Frank Gillespie    2:03.18
2015    Golden Horn    3    Frankie Dettori    John Gosden    Anthony Oppenheimer    2:05.41

Agree with you frank60 that this has been the best quality race in Ireland over the last 15 years or so . I always reckon that the best races standardwise involve different aged horses , otherwise any "champion" 3 year old may just be the best of an average year .

You wonder about 2014 though .

It might not be the best irish Champion stakes Kelly but Australia who won the irish and english derby  and Treading leather who won the irish derby were 2nd and 3rd to Great Gatsby. The best was  Fantastic Light who beat Galileo.

There isn't a single Irish race national hunt or flat where trainers would specifically aim  a horse or where foreign trainers would be enticed.

.... apart from Galway ?

The Plate and the richest handicap in Europe are regularly targeted by English trainers, Ellison last year targeted lesser handicaps and is getting one ready again according to ATR today  ,  Pintura was targetted at handicaps by the English trainer Kevin Ryan.