Holohan enjoys breakthrough moment as Hotazhell steals the show on Champions Weekend's day one
Reese Holohan on the outside in yellow on his way to victory aboard the Ger Lyons trained Krasimir in the Sovereign Path Premier Handicap. Photo: INPHO/Morgan Tracey
Laois apprentice Reese Holohan enjoyed the biggest victory of his young career on the opening day of the Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown, but it was Hotazhell's shock 50/1 success in the Irish Champion Stakes that ultimately provided the headline act on a high-class afternoon of racing.
Holohan continued his impressive rise through the weighing room ranks when partnering Krasimir to victory in the Sovereign Path Premier Handicap for trainer Ger Lyons, earning glowing praise from the trainer after producing a perfectly judged ride in one of the most competitive races on the card.
"Fair play to the young man, I've been watching him from afar," Lyons said afterwards. "I don't normally ring agents, but I rang for him. He knows where the winning post is. I've been watching him all summer. Every year you see one and he's the one this year."
The success completed an early double for Lyons, who had already struck with Maire Rua in the Ingabelle Stakes under Colin Keane, ensuring the trainer made a flying start to Leopardstown's biggest weekend.
The first Group 1 contest of the afternoon saw Darkness Falls justify favouritism in the newly elevated Golden Fleece Stakes. Ryan Moore guided the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt to an impressive victory, further enhancing his reputation as one of the most exciting juveniles currently in training.
British raiders also enjoyed their share of success as Arabian Crown landed the Kilternan Stakes for Charlie Appleby and James Doyle, while Doyle later completed a double aboard Quddwah in the Solonaway Stakes for Simon and Ed Crisford.
The standout performance of the afternoon was produced by Blue Bolt in the Group 1 Matron Stakes. The Andrew Balding-trained filly travelled powerfully throughout under Keane before quickening clear inside the final furlong to score decisively from City Of Memphis, with Fallen Angel finishing third.
However, the loudest reaction of the day came later when Hotazhell caused a major upset in the Irish Champion Stakes. Trained by Jessie Harrington and ridden by Shane Foley, the four-year-old produced a career-best effort to deny Wimbledon Hawkeye and favourite Constitution River, handing connections one of the biggest victories of the season.
The concluding handicaps went to Immutable and Rebel Wave, bringing the curtain down on a memorable opening day that had a little bit of everything: a breakthrough success for a rising Laois talent, another Ballydoyle star in the making, a dominant Group 1 performance from Blue Bolt and a shock result in showpiece event.
With Sunday's action at The Curragh still to come, Champions Weekend could hardly have asked for a better start.
