GAIN Equine Nutrition are delighted to launch the Champion Collection Series for 2022. The series comprises of three high quality progressive races for two-year-olds, which commences on May 2nd with the First Flier Stakes.
GAIN have enjoyed a long-standing partnership dating back to 2012 when they supported the Irish St. Leger and in 2014, moved to support the Railway Stakes, one of the oldest races in the calendar, first run in 1851.
In 2020, GAIN extended their support to include the First Flier Stakes and further extended this in 2021 to include the Marble Hill Stakes, to allow for a three part series, known as the ‘Champion Collection’.
Once again this year, Horse Racing Ireland in conjunction with The Curragh, has agreed that the winning horse from the GAIN Railway Stakes will receive a free entry into the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes, which will take place on Saturday, 6th August. The total prize money for the three races is €220,000.
Trainer, Ken Condon, who won the GAIN Railway Stakes in 2020 with ‘Laws of Indices’ said, “The First Flier is on the 2nd May this year and those precocious, quick, early to hand two year olds; that’s their first stepping stone. We saw Castle Star win that, following up with the Marble Hill last year. The Railway Stakes is a race of great tradition and great prestige and when you come into springtime, you would always be hoping you might have one for the Railway and the Phoenix, we are all chasing those types of horses, which are very hard to find. We were very lucky to have Laws of Indices two years ago.”
Joanne Hurley, Irish Country Manager, GAIN Equine Nutrition commented, “ 2022 marks a 10 year partnership between GAIN Equine Nutrition and The Curragh, we are delighted to continue our support which reinforces GAIN’s commitment to both the racing and bloodstock industries. It was fantastic to see Castle Star compete in all three legs of the Champion Collection series last season and showed the synergy between the races with him winning the first two legs and coming second in the GAIN Railway Stakes. The team at GAIN Equine Nutrition are looking forward to the three races and wish all runners the best of luck this season.”
Brian Kavanagh, CEO, The Curragh Racecourse said. “We are delighted to welcome GAIN back to the Curragh having enjoyed a very positive association with them since 2012. The Champion Collection created a natural link between three of our best races for two year olds when launched last year and it will be exciting to build on the inaugural success especially when Castle Star came so close to winning all three races.”