Last-out G1 Nassau S. winner Deirdre (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) will become the first-ever Japanese-trained runner in Ireland when she lines up in the G1 Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown on Sept. 14.
“Bringing Deirdre over to Europe has been a wonderful adventure, and we have been overwhelmed with the friendliness of the welcome,” said Mitsuru Hashida. “Her winning the Nassau S. was a fabulous day, not just for us but for Japanese racing and we now can't wait for her to become the first-ever Japanese runner in Ireland, especially in such a globally renowned race as the QIPCQ Irish Champion S. It will be a great honour for us, and we will be doing our very best to make sure our mare will again represent her country so magnificently.”
Pat Keogh, chief executive officer of Leopardstown and The Curragh, said, “We are delighted to have a horse of Deirdre's calibre come to compete at Longines Irish Champions Weekend. Longines Irish Champions Weekend is in its sixth year and from the very beginning, creating an international dimension to the biggest weekend in Irish Flat racing was an integral part of the concept, so to have Deirdre come here with her sporting connections is exceptional news. She is a prolific mare that proved her brilliance at Goodwood and it will be a wonderful spectacle to see her compete at Leopardstown.”
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