- Constitution Hill among star-studded Irish Champions Festival entries
- Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes draws global depth
- Constitution Hill entered for Curragh St Leger
Constitution Hill, Forever Young, Calandagan and Daryz are among the headline names entered for the 2026 Irish Champions Festival, with Leopardstown and the Curragh set for two days of high-class Group 1 racing in September.
Constitution Hill among star-studded Irish Champions Festival entries
The Nicky Henderson-trained Constitution Hill has been included among the early entries for the 2026 Irish Champions Festival, adding a major crossover angle to a two-day programme already shaped by international Flat racing names.
Having fallen in three of his last four starts over hurdles, Constitution Hill has been switched to the flat – winning both starts in facile fashion at Southwell and Kempton (watch below).
With connections now eyeing some of the best flat prizes as the season progresses.
Racing TV reported that Japanese superstar Forever Young, 2025 world champion Calandagan, reigning Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Daryz and the hugely popular Constitution Hill are among the most eye-catching contenders for the festival.
Which will be staged at Leopardstown on Saturday, September 12 and the Curragh on Sunday, September 13.
The key point at this stage, however, is that these are entries, not declarations.
Final fields will depend on training plans, ground, form and connections’ later decisions – with the final runners declared 48 hours before race day.
WATCH: Constitution Hill Winning Easily at Southwell On Flat Debut In February
Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes draws global depth
The Group 1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown has attracted 48 preliminary entries, with Racing TV reporting that 18 of them are already Group 1 winners internationally.
Forever Young gives the list a major Japanese element. Racing TV described him as the second-highest stakes earner of all time, with two Saudi Cup victories either side of a Breeders’ Cup Classic success at Del Mar.
Calandagan also brings elite international standing after topping the 2025 World’s Best Racehorse Rankings on a mark of 130, while Daryz adds Arc-winning strength for the Aga Khan Studs.
Aidan O’Brien’s Classic winners Minnie Hauk, Lambourn, Gstaad and Precise are also among the Leopardstown entries.
Leopardstown Racecourse’s own festival page confirms that day one is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, with five Group races headed by the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at 5.30pm.
Constitution Hill entered for Curragh St Leger
The most striking name on the Curragh side is Constitution Hill, who is entered in the Comer Group International Irish St Leger, the final Irish Classic of the season.
With the race on Sunday 13th September.
Racing TV reported that the race has received 63 entries and that Constitution Hill’s connections are keen to send him to the Curragh if conditions suit.
The same report noted his eight Grade 1 wins over jumps and his unbeaten two-start Flat record.
Potential St Leger opponents include last year’s winner Al Riffa, Doncaster St Leger winner Scandinavia, Willie Mullins’ Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Ethical Diamond, Jan Breughel, Caballo De Mar, Lordano and Narrativo.
The Curragh’s official event page confirms that day two of the festival falls on Sunday, September 13.
Which is built around the Comer Group International Irish St Leger, with four Group 1 races and nearly EUR2.5 million in prize money on the card.
Constitution Hill Career In Numbers
- Age 9
- Runs: 16
- Wins: 12
- Hurdles Runs/Wins: 14/10
- Flat Runs/Wins: 2/2
- Career Prize Money: £909,903
WATCH: Constitution Hill Winning on the AW at Kempton Park in March
