Oisin Murphy is relishing the opportunity to showcase Japanese mare Deirdre to Irish racegoers in the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown next month.
Mitsuru Hashida's mare bounced back from a slightly underwhelming performance when sixth in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot to become just the second Japanese-trained Group One winner in Britain after Agnes World when claiming the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.
Connections have already confirmed the Irish Champion as her next top-level target, and Murphy would love to claim the prestigious prize for a second time following his popular victory on Roaring Lion last season.
He said: "You see the large turnout of Japanese people, particularly at the Arc meeting every year, so (it will be great) to bring them to Ireland, and hopefully with a live chance and to give them something to really shout about.
"I'm sure it's going to be one of the best middle-distance races of the year and hopefully I can get involved.
"It was a huge result last year, winning the Irish Champion Stakes on Roaring Lion, and hopefully I go back there with a live chance this year."
"She wants fast ground and hopefully she'll get that at Leopardstown."
Our track team have been working very hard to have Leopardstown in top shape for @IrishChampsWknd. With World class racing including #QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes, @coolmorestud Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes & no race worth less than €100,000 it is an event not to be missed #LICW19 pic.twitter.com/dvCLxfqVeE
— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) August 23, 2019
Murphy rode Deirdre for the first time competitively at Goodwood, but was hopeful she would put her Royal Ascot run behind her.
He added: "I thought her form back in Japan was very strong, but she needed to bounce back to her best. To be fair, when I galloped her on the Al Bahathri at Newmarket she felt fantastic.
"I felt her run at Ascot the time before could be written off as it was very slow ground."