It’s fair to say that Longines Irish Champions weekend had its share of ups and downs. The quality of action was there for all to see with the level of the competition a key element. Of the 16 races, 13 different trainers recorded winners.

On the flip side, news came through on Sunday that both Alpha Centauri and Saxon Warrior suffered career-ending injuries in their respective races at Leopardstown the previous day. That both were still able to finish second speaks volumes for their ability, particularly in the case of Alpha Centauri who looked to be coming with a winning challenge in the Matron Stakes. The daughter of Mastercraftsman suffered a chip to her front fetlock joint. She has had a sensational year, winning four Group 1s in three different countries and will be hugely missed by the Harrington team.

The filly that beat her, Laurens, still deserves an immense amount of credit. She led all the way at Leopardstown to make it four Group 1s herself and she was also recording the first winner in a memorable Group 1 double for Yorkshire trainer Karl Burke, who also scooped the newly upgraded Flying Five Stakes with Havana Grey at the Curragh on Sunday.

Four of the six Group 1 races went back across the Irish Sea with Roaring Lion’s defeat of Saxon Warrior in the Irish Champion Stakes the highlight performance for many. Oisin Murphy has been on John Gosden’s colt for all three of his Group 1 wins and the Kerry native himself is having a stellar year, with seven top level victories recorded. Earlier on the Leopardstown card he rode his first winner on home soil by partnering the Willie Mullins-trained Limini to take the “Petingo” Handicap.

Flag Of Honour made it a St Leger double for Aidan O’Brien on Sunday, with Kew Gardens winning the British equivalent at Doncaster 24 hours before. The son of Galileo held off the challenge of Irish Derby winner Latrobe, trained by O’Brien’s son Joseph.

Quorto claimed a notable scalp for Godolphin when turning over O’Brien’s Anthony Van Dyck in the National Stakes while undoubtedly the most popular moment of the weekend was Skitter Scatter’s Moyglare Stud Stakes win. The diminutive filly gave jockey Ronan Whelan and small trainer Patrick Prendergast a maiden Group 1 win which sparked joyous scenes in the Curragh winners’ enclosure.

Perhaps the second most popular winner was that of Kevin Prendergast’s Madhmoon in the Champion Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown. The 86-year-old trainer already has legendary status in Irish racing and looks to have another live classic hope with the son of Dawn Approach.