UK Sensation Economics Takes the Lead: Can This 3-Year-Old Steal the Show in Ireland

Aidan O’Brien, a renowned Irish trainer, recently opened his training facility, Ballydoyle, to local media ahead of the Irish Champions Weekend on September 14th and 15th. During the event, he answered questions from the media.

Economics, a 3-year-old colt from the UK, is currently the favourite for this year’s Irish Champion Stakes (G1, 2000m turf) as listed by major bookmakers. Trained by William Haggas and ridden by Tom Marquand, Economics has won three consecutive races, including a maiden race in April, the G2 Dante Stakes, and the G2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano in France. This will be his first G1 race, with an impressive record of three wins in four races.

White Birch, a 4-year-old colt, was initially set to compete in the Irish Champion Stakes but has since withdrawn and will be taking the rest of the season off. White Birch had previously won the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup in May by three lengths over Auguste Rodan and was undefeated in three races this season.

According to Paddy Power’s odds, Economics is the favourite with odds of 2.63 to 1, followed by Auguste Rodan at 4.5 to 1, and Los Angeles at 7 to 1. Japan’s Shin Emperor, a 3-year-old male trained by Yahagi, is rated at 17 to 1.

Shin Emperor is scheduled to run in this year’s Ai Champion S, and the JRA will be selling betting tickets overseas with unique odds for Japan.