PRESS RELEASE
Thursday 20 August 2026
FUTURE CHAMPIONS DAY ATTRACTS QUALITY RUNNERS
Future Champions Day is set to live up to its title with a number of leading two-year-olds declared for both the Coolmore Stud City of Troy Tom Cooper Futurity Stakes and Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes
The Aidan O’Brien trained Alpha would be a very appropriate winner of the Debutante Stakes, as the race is named in honour of her dam Alpha Centauri. She carries the colours of race sponsor Niarchos Racing, who are also represented by Ibelieveicanfly. Other contenders in the Group 2 contest are the Joseph O’Brien trained trio of Blonde over Blue, Green Empress and Dancing Destiny.
The Fozzy Stack trained Nola Soul, winner of the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, is one of a quality six horse field for the Coolmore Stud City of Troy Tom Cooper Futurity Stakes. The Group 2 contest also features a strong team from Aidan O’Brien with Giant Sequoia and Florida Bay, while Green Dreamer and Nail House will represent Joseph O’Brien and City of Dubai is set to represent trainer Paddy Twomey.
Carmers, Leinster, Asakir and Kizlyar are among the seven runners for the Group 3 Comer Group International Irish St Leger Trial.
16 runners will line up in the opening Coolmore Stud St Mark’s Basilica Maiden, 14 in the Moloney’s Bar and Music Venue Maiden, 12 in the Mitsubishi Electric Handicap, 12 in the Neville O’Byrne Memorial IEBF Handicap, while a full field of 30 will face the starter in the Friends of Moorefield GAA Handicap, which will bring the eight-race programme to a close
ENDS
GATES OPEN / RACE TIMES
Gates: 11.30pm
First race 1.05pm
Last race 5.08pm
GROUND
Following 4mm of rain overnight, the ground is Good (Straight), Good, good to firm in places (round)
FORECAST
Forecast for 1 to 5mm approx. according to Met Eireann, dry tonight and mainly dry tomorrow and over weekend
TRACK
Middle track with stalls in centre for sprints
LINK TO ENTRIES
TRANSPORT
Complimentary local return bus service from Kildare Town and Station, sponsored by Manguard Plus, are scheduled to coincide with the main arrival and departure times of the main Irish Rail trains
WHERE TO WATCH
All races broadcast live by Racing TV
FREE PARKING
