Irish Champions Day proved a great success for the progeny of Darley stallions with three winners, including both feature G1 races.
Hotazhell triumphed in a thrilling finish to the G1 Irish Champions Stakes, landing his third victory at the highest level. Already a winner of four Group races, the son of Too Darn Hot was coming into the race off the back of a G1 win in the Grosser Dallmayr Preis at Munich in July. Settled in midfield by jockey Shane Foley, the Jessica Harrington-trained four-year-old quietly held his position before being called upon for an effort at the business end. In a messy finish, Hotazhell looked to have the measure of the leaders and surged to the front before fending off the fast-finishing challenge of Wimbledon Hawkeye in tenacious fashion.
Bred by Blue Diamond Stud Ltd from their winning mare Azenzar (Danehill Dancer), Hotazhell has been a revelation for connections.
Too Darn Hot has sired five G1 winners this season, which puts him level with sire Dubawi at this stage of his career. A force across the globe - he has enjoyed victory at the highest level in Europe, Dubai and Australia this year alone. One of only four European stallions to have sired a G1-winning three-year-old in each of his first three seasons, he looks set to emulate his sire on a rapidly ascending trajectory.
Blue Point's incredible daughter Blue Bolt again showed the tough stuff she was made from when emphatically taking the G1 Matron Stakes, readily dominating a quality field.
Under jockey Colin Keane, Andrew Balding's charge sat around mid-division, just in behind the leading group after a fairly even break. As they straightened for home, Blue Bolt, travelling sweetly, was poised to make her move. As the gap opened between the leaders, the four-year-old moved smoothly between them before hitting the front more than a furlong from home and going away nicely to score by an easy two and a quarter lengths.
Bred by C-Squared Investments Ltd out of their Listed winner Mayhem (Whipper), Blue Bolt is a half-sister to smart performers and multiple Stakes winners Sea Theme (Sea The Stars) and Sky Angel (Dark Angel).
Blue Point has sired more northern hemisphere Stakes winners at a mile or less than any other stallion this century at this stage in their career. His successes in 2026 include G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest winner Samangan and unbeaten G2 July Stakes winner Inner City Blues. He has 161 juveniles in 2026, which made up to one million guineas in the sales ring.
Arabian Crown provided the first win of the Champions Day trifecta when making all in the G3 Kilternan Stakes over 1m4f.
Charlie Appleby's five-year-old gelded son of Dubawi, not disgraced when playing second fiddle to stablemate Rebel's Romance in the G2 Princess Of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket in July, was securing his fifth Stakes win - his third at Group level.
Jumped out in front by James Doyle, he maintained that position throughout, before lengthening clear to score by two and a quarter lengths.
Arabian Crown was bred by G B Bloodstock from the mare Dubai Rose (Dubai Destination) and is a half-brother to multiple French Stakes winner The Juliet Rose (Monsun) and full brother to Listed winner Everest Rose.
Dubawi led all stallions by yearling average in 2025, for the fifth consecutive year. He has sired 50 yearlings that have realised £1m plus in the sales ring - a European record.
