Ghaiyyath to run on Saturday in Irish Champion

Ghaiyyath is an intended runner Saturday at Leopardstown in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes, his connections announced Tuesday.

The highest rated horse in the world this year, Ghaiyyath will ship to Ireland his weekend to start favored in the 1 1/4-mile fixture provided he works well Wednesday, said Charley Appleby, who trains Ghaiyyath for Godolphin.

Ghaiyyath is on a three-race Group 1 winning streak having landed the Coronation Stakes, the Eclipse Stakes, and the Juddmonte International Stakes. In the Eclipse, Ghaiyyath comfortably handled two-time Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Enable, who was making her 2020 debut.

Connections are leaving open autumn plans for Ghaiyyath, who finished 10th in the 2019 Arc while racing over very soft ground. Ghaiyyath struggles on wet courses and his connections obviously will seek to keep him on courses rated good to firm. Ghaiyyath also has the Breeders’ Cup Turf as a potential target, but despite his apparent preference for 1 1/4-mile races to 1 1/2 miles and a strong galloping style that might suit dirt racing, the BC Classic does not appear to be an option.