Shock 50-1 winner Hotazhell all set for surprise clash on Ascot’s Champions Day

File photo dated 12-09-2026 of Hotazhell ridden by Shane Foley (centre) on their way to winning the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes. Donnacha O’Brien has branded Shane Foley’s ride on Irish Champion Stakes winner Hotazhell as “brutal”, after his own stable star A Boy Named Susie suffered interference on his way to finishing fifth in Saturday’s Leopardstown feature. Issue date: Monday September 14, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read Evan Treacy/PA Wire. Credit: PA SHOCK 50-1 Irish Champion Stakes winner Hotazhell is all set for what would be a surprise clash with Gstaad at Ascot’s Champions Day. The October Group 1 will be Jessica Harrington’s stable star’s final run before he is sent to stud. Hotazhell will get the chance to complete an awesome Champion Stakes double before being retired Credit: Sportsfile There was some confusion as to whether or not the three-year-old had already been retired ahead of a lucrative career in the breeding shed. But Haras d’Etreham’s commercial and bloodstock director Fernando Laffon Lomba confirmed the season finale – for which Hotazhell is a general 12-1 – was still very much the plan. Speaking from Kentucky, he said: “He is still with Jessie, and his immediate future plan would be the Champion Stakes. “He’ll retire after that race. We’d love to see him do the double. “We think it could be done, especially if there is cut in the ground. “He’s going there with a month’s freshness and we’re very excited.” It had looked like O’Brien’s Constitution River would seek revenge after finishing third in a messy race at Leopardstown, for which Hotazhell’s jockey Shane Foley picked up an 11-day ban. But the Ballydoyle boss revealed in a recent interview he is thinking of dropping his Coral-Eclipse winner back to a mile and stepping Gstaad up in trip. Most read in Horse Racing The latter has been campaigned at a mile all season, memorably finishing runner-up to the now-retired Bow Echo on three occasions. John & Thady Gosden’s Ombudsman remains the market leader for the 1m2f feature but wouldn’t want soft ground. The £1.3million race, worth almost £750,000 to the winner, looks sure to cut up with a number of fancied horses seemingly having other targets. FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here. Comment now