Leopardstown Racecourse announced today that Coolmore will rename the Group 1 Matron Stakes, the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes and the prize-money will be increased by €100,000 to €300,000.

The Group 1 Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes is the second Group 1 race on the card alongside the Group 1 QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday 13th September 2014, day one of the inaugural Irish Champions Weekend.

As part of the new sponsorship Coolmore have renamed the race after Champion sire Fastnet Rock who has quickly become a phenomenon in Australia just like his sire Danehill before him. Fastnet Rock’s first European-bred crop are now three-year-olds and include several exciting classic prospects headed by Dermot Weld’s recent Group 3 Ballysax Stakes winner Fascinating Rock.

Irish Champions Weekend features ten Group races (Five Group 1s) and will be run at Leopardstown on Saturday 13th September and the Curragh on Sunday 14th September. It is one of the richest weekends on the international racing calendar with more than €3.7 million prize-money on offer over the two days.

Pat Keogh CEO of Leopardstown said: “Irish Champions Weekend is a major initiative for Irish racing. The increased prize money is an important ingredient in creating what will be a wonderful showcase of the Irish thoroughbred industry. We couldn’t do this without the support of our sponsors and I would like to thank John Magnier and the team in Coolmore for their increased support of the Matron Stakes.”

Irish Champions Weekend is a major initiative for Irish racing. The increased prize money is an important ingredient in creating what will be a wonderful showcase of the Irish thoroughbred industry. We couldn’t do this without the support of our sponsors and I would like to thank John Magnier and the team in Coolmore for their increased support of the Matron Stakes.