News from the Emirates of a double Irish success in Abu Dhabi as CHAMPIONSHIP (IRE) won a Listed contest under Colm O’Donoghue, the rider’s first since moving to the UAE for the winter with a retainer for Ahmad bin Harmash. This five-year-old son of Kildangan Stud’s stallion Exceed And Excel sold for €90,000 at the Goffs November Foals sale, consigned by Oghill House Stud having been bred by Natalie Cleary.

CHAMPIONSHIP (IRE) began his career with Richard Hannon and was sharp enough to win a decent handicap in 2014 beating the smart Bronze Angel (IRE) before he switched to the Emirates. On Sunday he looked pretty smart winning the National Day Cup, grabbing the lead with over a furlong to go and thereafter he was always in charge. On that evidence he could be winning more races when the carnival starts at Meydan next month.CHAMPIONSHIP (IRE) is out of the dam Aljafliyah (IRE) and is a half-brother to three other multiple winners, including Waltz Darling (IRE) who won six times over jumps and three on the Flat.