Racing: Four Irish races have been selected as part of the 2009 Breeders' Cup Challenge series. Those horses triumphant in the Group One events will be given an automatic spot at the Breeders' Cup meeting at Santa Anita in October.
The selected races in Ireland are Saturday’s Pretty Polly at the Curragh, the Moyglare Stud, the Irish Champion Stakes, both also at the Curragh, and the Diamond Stakes at Dundalk - with winners qualifying for the Filly & Mare Turf, Juvenile Fillies’ Turf, the Breeders’ Cup Turf and the Marathon respectively.
There will also be qualifiers from Britain, Australia, France and Hong Kong. The 2009 Breeders’ Cup Challenge races will begin in America on July 4th, with qualifying events from Monmouth Park.
“We are excited to bring the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series to Ireland and open our European schedule with Saturday’s Audi Pretty Polly Stakes,” said Breeders’ Cup President and CEO Greg Avioli.
“We are always striving to make the Breeders’ Cup more inclusive to our international horsemen and fans.
“Horses from Ireland have had great success in the Breeders’ Cup since its inception, and the selection of these world-class Challenge races at the Curragh, Leopardstown and Dundalk strengthens the link of the world’s greatest races and racehorses to the Breeders’ Cup.”