A day laced with historical significance for women in racing ended with Jessica Harrington, one of the original trailblazers for the cause, reminding everyone of her exquisite talents by masterminding a dramatic 50-1 Irish Champion Stakes (G1) coup with Hotazhell Sept. 12 at Leopardstown Racecourse.
Saffie Osborne stole the matinee with her groundbreaking St. Leger Stakes (G1) success on Highwayman but, long before the jockey walked the earth, Harrington was the embodiment of what every women's liberation movement sought to achieve. She plied her trade in male-dominated environments and never asked for, nor gave, an inch.
Having first excelled as an international event rider, she assumed control of the license from her late husband Johnny at Moone in County Kildare 39 years ago and ever since she has done all in her power to conquer every corner of the racing world.
As a Gold Cup, Champion Chase, Champion Hurdle, classic-winning, and multiple group 1-winning trainer, Harrington is by some distance the most decorated female trainer of all time.
She is in her 80th year, yet owned the evening show at Leopardstown, producing Hotazhell to confirm the promise of his recent group 1 win in Germany by just holding on from the fast-finishing Wimbledon Hawkeye to prevail by a nose. It was the 4-year-old's third group 1 victory and each one has come by the most slender margin.
George Scott's gallant runner-up might have edged in front a stride before the line but the bob of the head favored Hotazhell, who has taken quite a while to fulfil the promise of his victory in the 2024 Futurity Stakes (G2), when he similarly foiled Delacroix by a nose.
Now, as then, Shane Foley was in the saddle, and the jockey had his hands full here trying to keep his willing but wayward mount straight. As they challenged down the middle of the track in pursuit of Constitution River, they edged markedly left into A Boy Named Susie, who in turn impeded the retreating Hawk Mountain, who likewise shunted the other Ballydoyle pacesetter Lambourn onto the inside rail.
It all made for a slightly undignified spectacle and Foley duly got slapped with an 11-day careless riding ban. A Boy Named Susie was the worst impacted in terms of the run, but Wimbledon Hawkeye had a clear run down the outside under Christophe Soumillon.
Constitution River likewise had no excuse, and Aidan O'Brien was not inclined to reach for one, but the manner in which his run flattened out was disappointing for a horse who looked like he had the world at his feet before getting beaten in the International Stakes (G1). Everything went right for him here, but he just didn't go through with it.
Item, his conqueror at York, performed even more poorly, failing to get into the race at all.
This, then, was Harrington and Foley's moment, and the trainer deserves huge credit for eventually figuring out the winner. Before Hotazhell's nose success over Timeforshowcasing and Wimbledon Hawkeye in the Bayerisches Zuchtrennen (G1), he was 0-7 since his win two years ago at Doncaster Racecourse.
Harrington always knew the class was there and her persistence has been vindicated. As has so often been the case down through the years, she is now the first female trainer to have her name on the roll of honor for this Royal Bahrain-sponsored €1.25 million feature.
"It's fantastic to get this on the CV. These races are hard to come by and, by Christ, when you get them, enjoy them," she said.
She added: "We've really always thought the world of Hotazhell. Last year was just one of those years, things just didn't go right for him. Even at the beginning of this year, he took a while to get going. Shane is very strong, but the horse is very tough. He knows where the winning post is and he put his head down on the line."
Foley's 13th group 1 win was also his first in this race. He paid a fairly high price for it due to the subsequent suspension, but he can't have too many qualms given Lambourn was lucky to stay on his feet.
Of his mount, who will likely next be seen in the equivalent event at Ascot Racecourse next month, Foley said: "He's a very, very good horse and I think in a proper, true-run mile-and-a-quarter race you see the best of him.
"What a woman Jessie is," he said of Harrington. "We have been having a quiet season for our standards—things just haven't been going our way and I actually thought I was done again (here), being honest. For a stride, I thought I'd been nailed on the line."
He added of the grind: "It is hard, you are working every day, when things are really flying, and then they quieten down. Jessie still instils the confidence, doesn't tell you what to do, leaves it to you, and I'm so glad I can repay her with a group 1 Champion Stakes.
"I've been with her a long time and she keeps pulling you out of the fire. She has stood by me when I had no job and gave me her job, and we have had some really, really good winners together. She's a phenomenal woman."
The Irish Champions Stakes is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In event, granting Hotazhell an automatic, fees-paid berth to the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) should his connections choose to take it. He has been to the United States once before, when fourth by just 1 1/2 lengths in the 2025 Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T). The 1 1/2-mile Turf will be held Oct. 31 at Keeneland.
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