The GAIN Champion Collection Series, which consists of three high quality races for two-year-olds was launched recently at John O’Donoghue’s yard on The Curragh.
The series, which boasts a fantastic prize pot of €220,000 commences on May 1st with the First Flier Stakes then moves to the Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes which takes place on May 27th. The series culminates with the final leg on Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day with the Group 2 Railway Stakes, one of the oldest races in the racing calendar having first been run in 1851. The GAIN Railway Stakes will be part of the Tote World Pool this year providing increased international exposure of the race.
The GAIN Champion Collection Series extends further with the winning horse of the Railway Stakes receiving an automatic entry into the prestigious Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes.
GAIN is delighted to now be associated with this series, enhancing their relationship with The Curragh, which commenced in 2012.
Philip Gilligan, Irish Country Manager, GAIN Equine Nutrition commented, “This series reinforces GAIN’s commitment to both the racing and bloodstock industries and we are delighted to continue our support of the Champion Collection Series for the season ahead.
Now in its third year, the synergy between the races is obvious. We have seen the same horse win two out of three legs in 2021 (Castle Star) and 2022 (Blackbeard), will 2023 be the year the same horse can win all three? We are looking forward to following this season again this year and finding out. On behalf of the team at GAIN Equine Nutrition, I would like to wish all connections the best of luck for the season ahead.”
Trainer, John O’Donoghue, “We are looking forward to this year, we have a couple of nice horses that would certainly be up to having an entry in the Champion Collection Series races. We have a very nice filly called ‘Miss Black Jack’ and hopefully she will warrant an entry in to those nice two year old races.”
Evan Arkwright, Racing and Sponsorship Manager said, “The Curragh is delighted to continue our long standing partnership with Gain Equine Nutrition. The association has gone from strength to strength since the launch of the Champion Collection series, which has greatly enhanced the profile of three of our most prestigious races for two year olds.”