Champions Weekend survives high-profile departures to lift the spirits
The fifth year of Irish Champions Weekend provided a feast of entertainment and more than its fair share of compelling storylines over the course of 16 races.
It is a tribute to the overall impact of two days' racing at Leopardstown and the Curragh that there was still much to celebrate despite the career-ending injuries suffered by Alpha Centauri and Saxon Warrior on Saturday.
Spirits were lifted on Sunday by a hometown win for Skitter Scatter in the Moyglare Stud Stakes. The weekend was also pleasingly book-ended by victories inspiring an infectious enthusiasm often missing from the higher end of Irish racing, whether Flat or jumps.
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