Leopardstown Racecard – 2:30 PM, 26 December 2025 - Full Horse Racing Preview

Breaking: Microsoft Unveils East Campus Modernization in Redmond to Power the Hybrid-Work Era

In a move signaling the next chapter for the tech giant’s work culture, Microsoft announces the East Campus Modernization project on its Redmond campus. the initiative will replace aging structures with modern facilities built for a hybrid workforce, underscoring the company’s commitment to employee well-being and sustainability.

Since establishing its Redmond headquarters in 1986, Microsoft has expanded from four buildings to more than 100. The East Campus plan marks the latest milestone in that growth, reflecting a persistent emphasis on healthier workplaces and environmental duty.

What the project aims to achieve

The modernization is described as a shift toward flexible, health‑forward spaces that support collaboration, innovation, and hybrid work models. The design prioritizes comfort, accessibility, and energy efficiency as core elements of the campus experience.

Key Facts

Location	Redmond, Washington, United States
Project	East Campus Modernization Project
Purpose	Replace aging facilities with modern spaces optimized for hybrid work, prioritizing employee well‑being and sustainability
Ancient Context	Campus growth from four buildings in 1986 to more than 100 total structures
Expected Impact	Improved on-site amenities, energy efficiency, and collaboration capabilities for hybrid teams

Long-term implications for workplaces

As more companies adopt hybrid models, such campus modernization efforts may set benchmarks for balancing in-person collaboration with flexible schedules. Prioritizing daylight, air quality, and accessible design can correlate with higher employee satisfaction and productivity. Experts note that such upgrades also drive the adoption of smart-building technologies and lasting energy solutions.

external perspectives offer broader context on sustainable, health‑focused workplaces. Such as, see coverage from leading authorities such as Harvard Business Review and McKinsey,as well as Microsoft’s own sustainability commitments here.

Engagement and reader questions

Question for readers: How do hybrid-work designs affect your daily routines and productivity?

Question for readers: What amenities or features would matter most to you in a future campus habitat?

Share your thoughts in the comments below to help shape the conversation about the future of work.

finish in the G1 irish 2,000 m, winning by a neck after tracking the early pace. His recent win over 2,200 m on similar ground indicates adaptability too the upward finish at Leopardstown.

article.Leopardstown Racecard – 2:30 PM, 26 December 2025 – Full Horse Racing Preview

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1. Race Overview

• Race time: 2:30 PM (Irish standard Time)
• Venue: Leopardstown Racecourse, Dublin, Ireland
• Race type: Listed Handicap (2,000 m / 1¼ miles)
• Going: Good to Soft (expected after a light rain front overnight)
• field size: 12 runners
• Prize money: €45,000 (winner)

The 2:30 PM slot traditionally features a competitive Listed Handicap that attracts a mix of proven stayers and emerging middle‑distance talent. The Good to Soft ground historically favors front‑runners with a strong turn of foot, while stamina‑type horses can exploit the final uphill stretch.

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2.Key Horses to Watch

#	Horse	Age	Rating	Trainer	Jockey	Recent Form (last 5)	Odds
1	Sundowner’s Pride	4	92	Aidan O’Brien	Colin Keane	2nd (G1), 1st (Listed), 4th (Group 3), 3rd (Listed), 5th (Handicap)	4/1
2	Emerald Path	5	89	Joseph O’Brien	Seamie Heffernan	1st (Handicap), 6th (G3), 2nd (Listed), 3rd (Handicap), 4th (Listed)	6/1
3	Celtic Star	6	87	Dermot Weld	Paul Townend	5th (Listed), 1st (Handicap), 3rd (Group 3), 2nd (handicap), 7th (Listed)	9/1
4	merrick’s Gold	4	85	Ger Lyons	Chris Hayes	3rd (Handicap), 4th (Listed), 2nd (Handicap), 5th (Handicap), 1st (Listed)	12/1
5	Riverbank Rebel	5	84	Gordon Elliott	Paddy Jackson	6th (Handicap), 1st (Handicap), 4th (Listed), 2nd (Handicap), 8th (Listed)	15/1

all ratings are sourced from the official Irish Horseracing board (IHB) as of 24 Dec 2025.

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3. Form Analysis

3.1 Front‑Running Potential

• Sundowner’s Pride displayed a strong finish in the G1 irish 2,000 m, winning by a neck after tracking the early pace. His recent win over 2,200 m on similar ground indicates adaptability to the upward finish at Leopardstown.
• Emerald Path thrives when placed just off the lead; a 1½‑length victory in the 2025 Curragh Handicap validated his ability to sustain speed on soft ground.

3.2 Stamina Indicators

• Celtic Star has a proven record over 2,400 m, finishing in the top three in two Group 3 trips. The extra 400 m of stamina could be decisive if the race intensifies in the final furlong.
• Merrick’s Gold consistently improves over mid‑distances, having lowered his rating by 5 points after a solid 2,000 m win at Downpatrick on Good to Soft.

3.3 Recent Trends

• horses reducing their official rating by 2‑3 points often indicate a “handicap bounce” – a factor that benefits Riverbank Rebel,whose rating fell from 87 to 84 after a narrowly missed win at Navan.

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4.Jockey & Trainer Statistics

• Colin Keane (sundowner’s Pride) – 2025 win rate of 22 % at Leopardstown; 7 wins from 32 rides.
• Seamie Heffernan (Emerald Path) – 4 wins in his last 10 Leopardstown outings; strong record on Good to Soft.
• Aidan O’Brien – 2025 Leopardstown trainer tally: 5 victories, 3 seconds, 2 thirds; top trainer for Listed events this season.
• Gordon Elliott – 3 wins from 9 starts at Leopardstown; notable for placing runners well in the early stages.

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5. Betting Tips & Odds Strategy

1. Primary Pick – Sundowner’s pride (4/1)

• High rating, top trainer, front‑running style suiting the current going.
• Value Bet – Emerald Path (6/1)
• Consistent handicap performances; odds offer good value relative to recent form.
• Place Bet – celtic Star (9/1)
• Stamina edge for the uphill finish; likely to finish in the top three.
• Exacta Box – Sundowner’s Pride, Emerald Path, Celtic star
• Covers the three most plausible finishers without over‑paying for a single combination.

Tip: Consider a “lead‑leg” hedge with riverbank Rebel at 15/1 in a 4‑fold each‑way bet, leveraging his rating drop.

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6. Track Conditions & Weather Forecast

• Weather: Light rain expected from 10 AM to 2 PM; cloud cover will lift after 3 PM.
• Ground: Good to Soft (official rating 3-4). This mixture typically favors horses with a proven record on yielding or soft surfaces, such as Sundowner’s Pride and Emerald Path.
• Course nuance: The Leopardstown straight is inclined 2 % in the final 300 m; runners with a late acceleration (e.g., Celtic Star) should be attentive.

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7.Historical Context – 2:30 PM Leopardstown Handicaps

Year	winner	Distance	Going	Notable Points
2022	Midas Touch	2,000 m	Good	Frist major win for jockey Davy Russell
2023	Silver Lining	2,000 m	Soft	50‑pound weight advantage proved decisive
2024	Emerald Queen	2,200 m	Good to Soft	Only filly to win in the past decade
2025 (May)	Sundowner’s Pride	1,950 m	Good	Demonstrated versatility across distances

The 2025 December edition continues the pattern of favoring versatile, well‑conditioned middle‑distance horses.Historical outcomes suggest that a rating between 88-92 combined with recent wins on soft ground yields a winning probability of ~30 %.

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8.Practical Tips for race‑Day Viewers

• Arrive early to secure a view of the starting gate; the 2:30 race often fills the grandstand quickly.
• Check live odds on the official Leopardstown website; bookmakers can adjust over the hour leading to the race.
• Use the “Fast‑Track” app to monitor in‑play speed figures – a valuable tool for spotting late surges.

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9. Quick Reference – At‑a‑Glance Summary

• Race: Listed Handicap, 2,000 m
• Time: 2:30 PM, 26 Dec 2025
• Going: good to Soft
• Top Picks: Sundowner’s Pride (4/1), Emerald Path (6/1), Celtic Star (9/1)
• Key Factors: Front‑running ability, soft‑ground experience, trainer’s Leopardstown record

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