Economics reputation grows, Kinross looks short and Shin Emperor a live Arc contender? Three things we learned this week

Three key takeaways from this week . . .

Economics lives up to reputation

There was huge anticipation ahead of Economics' Group 1 acid test in a stacked Irish Champion Stakes, and he didn't half deliver, cementing himself as one of the most exciting horses in training with a neck success.

The three-year-old looked something special when a devastating six-length winner of the Dante at York in May and confirmed that promise when taking the Group 2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville last month with relative ease, pulling two lengths clear of Hampton Court winner Jayarebe with a gap back to the third.

Despite the Irish Champion field consisting of several proven Group 1 performers, including a high-class trio trained by Aidan O'Brien, namely last year's winner and dual Derby hero Auguste Rodin, this year's Irish Derby and Great Voltigeur victor Los Angeles, and 2022 race winner and Coronation Cup scorer Luxembourg, as well as Ghostwriter, who had chased home City Of Troy the last twice in the Eclipse and Juddmonte International, and Japanese Derby third Shin Emperor, Economics was sent off 7-4 favourite and delivered a hard-earned victory in a race in which Ballydoyle held a massive tactical advantage.

This was a brilliant performance from a horse having only his fifth start, showing maturity and an excellent attitude, and he'll prove extremely hard to beat in the Champion Stakes.

Economics has arguably vindicated his connections' decision not to supplement for the Derby, but who would come out on top in a battle between William Haggas's runner and City Of Troy? It would be great to get the opportunity to find out, although it appears unlikely to happen.
Harry Wilson

Kinross opposable at Ascot

The Betfred St Leger won by Jan Brueghel may have been the feature event on Doncaster’s Saturday card, but the return to the winner’s enclosure for Kinross will have been a popular moment on Town Moor.

Owned by Marc Chan and trained by Ralph Beckett, Kinross has been a hardy performer for many years and set up the prospect of a decent autumn with a first win of 2024 in the Park Stakes.

Kinross (Rossa Ryan) won for the first time in 2024Credit: Edward Whitaker

When winning this race two years ago, Kinross went on to run in the Prix de la Foret (first), Champions Sprint (first) and Breeders’ Cup Mile (third), and it sounds as if connections have Longchamp, Ascot and Del Mar in their considerations again.

The seven-year-old is favourite for the Champions Sprint and the division is open, but he was chinned by surprise winner Art Power last year and does not appear to be quite the force he was 12 months ago.

Although Doncaster runner-up Lead Artist looks a horse on the up, it did not appear the strongest Park Stakes and Kinross is surely opposable as favourite for the deeper Ascot sprint.
Matt Butler

Could it be Japan's turn?

Following a weekend of trials, the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe looks as open as ever. 

Look De Vega is no longer the ante-post favourite for next month's lucrative Longchamp race after his defeat in the Prix Niel to Sosie, who has now adopted favouritism at as short as 7-2.

Yann Lerner, joint-trainer of Look De Vega, called it "a dress rehearsal" for the Arc before the Niel. He ran respectably on his comeback and is entitled to come on for it, but the Prix du Jockey Club winner is no longer unbeaten and the Arc looks there for the taking.

Sosie will grab the headlines for his performance on Sunday, but it was a weekend where Bluestocking, Los Angeles, Delius and Aventure also chucked their claims into the mix.

The other to do so, perhaps most eyecatchingly, was Shin Emperor, who ran on to be third in the Irish Champion behind Economics and Auguste Rodin. Japan's runners are well respected on their global outings, picking up plenty of prizes in recent years, but the Arc is the one they all want.

Based on Saturday's run and in an Arc with no massive standout, Shin Emperor looks to have as good a chance of ending Japan's duck as any in recent years.
Matt Butler

Read these next:

Economics emerges on top in absorbing Irish Champion Stakes to keep ceiling of ability an unknown 

'It would be nice to have another go' - Bluestocking halved in price for the Arc after landing red-hot running of the Prix Vermeille 

Sosie surges into Arc favouritism after upsetting odds-on Look De Vega in Prix Niel 

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