British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday 19th October sees a final gathering of the stars from across the racing spectrum. With the pecking order now established and autumn targets set, we look at how things are shaping up ahead of the 2024 edition of this Berkshire showstopper.
Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup, 2m, Group 2
The staying king is back on his throne. Following an injury-interrupted and winless 2023, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Kyprios has rediscovered his mojo in spectacular style. Streets ahead of the European stayers as a four-year-old, his dominance remains undimmed at six. Unbeaten in five starts this season, the son of Galileo has reclaimed his Ascot Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup, and Irish St. Leger crowns.
Going in the Godolphin blue, Trawlerman conquered Kyprios here 12 months ago and looks like the biggest threat. Last year’s third Sweet William also appears likely to line up following his impressive Doncaster Cup success, whilst the eight-year-old Trueshan won three consecutive editions of this one between 2020 and 2022.
Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes, 6f, Group 1
Unlike in the staying division, it has been difficult to establish a pecking order amongst this year’s sprint stars, with the main contenders largely taking turns to beat one another. Perhaps this final 6f Group 1 will help provide a little clarity.
Whilst viewed as a 7f specialist, Ralph Beckett’s Kinross showed enough boot to win the 2022 edition of this and heads the betting following his back-to-form effort in the Park Stakes at the Doncaster St. Leger meeting.
William Haggas’s Montassib was the latest to stake his claim as the best of the 6f runners when causing a 25/1 shock in the Haydock Sprint Cup. That took his 6f record to five wins from seven starts, including a verdict over Kinross in the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle.
The improving Kind Of Blue leads the charge for the three-year-olds, having gone down by just a head in that Sprint Cup contest. He finished a solid fourth in the Commonwealth Cup over course and distance at the Royal Meeting and goes for James Fanshawe, who won the 2016 edition of this with The Tin Man
Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, 1m4f, Group 1
Content boasts the strongest form claims of the Ballydoyle squadron following a slightly unlucky second in the Irish Oaks and a strong staying effort to land the Yorkshire Oaks last time out.
2022 heroine Emily Upjohn tops the bill for John & Thady Gosden as she bids to end a disappointing campaign on a high. A winner in each of her seasons at two, three, and four, she has failed to hit the mark at five – looking a shadow of her former self in the Coronation Cup and Nassau Stakes. However, her third-placed effort behind Bluestocking in the Prix Vermeille was much more like it, suggesting she may be peaking at the right time.
Having already won the Vermeille and Pretty Polly Stakes, Bluestocking boasts strong claims if heading here rather than the Arc, but her Juddmonte owner-mate Kalpana tops the market. Andrew Balding’s steadily progressive three-year-old picked up a fourth win of the season in the September Stakes and looks like a filly firmly on the up.
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, 1m, Group 1
French raider Big Rock put in the performance of the meeting when powering to a 6l success in the 2023 edition of this and looks set to defend his crown. He’s without a win in four starts since leaving the yard of Christopher Head but has yet to race on his favoured soft ground for his new handler. 2023 runner-up Facteur Cheval adds to a strong French contingent following his excellent third in the Sussex Stakes.
Karl Burke’s Irish 1000 Guineas winner, Fallen Angel, and Opera Singer from the yard of Aidan O’Brien are the shortest price of the fillies and have the form to go close. However, the pair seem more likely to line up at Longchamp for the Arc meeting.
On 2024 form, the clear pick is the Roger Varian-trained Charyn. Long held in the highest regard, the son of Dark Angel has finally delivered in his four-year-old campaign. Too good for his rivals in the Queen Anne Stakes and Jacques le Marois, he came up short in the Prix Du Moulin last time but had far too much to do in the straight that day and may bounce back.
Qipco Champion Stakes, 1m2f, Group 1
Emerging superstar Economics is out on his own atop the market in the main event. Announcing himself to the larger racing world with a devastating success in the Dante Stakes, the son of Night Of Thunder skipped the big summer shows in favour of an autumn campaign. With wins in the Prix Guillaume d’Orano and a Group 1 verdict over Auguste Rodin in the Irish Champion Stakes, William Haggas’s patience is paying off in spades. Next stop, Ascot, as the strapping three-year-old bids for a Champion Stakes double.
French star Calandagan is chief amongst the opposition. Hailing from the yard of Francis-Henri Graffard, this Aga Khan runner posted a mighty display at the Royal Meeting when slamming the King Edward VII Stakes field by 6l. Running right up to that level when second to City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International, he is a major threat to the favourite.
Having lost out by only a neck to Economics at Leopardstown, the enigmatic Auguste Rodin is an obvious contender but may be kept fresh for a tilt at the Japan Cup. In his absence, Los Angeles may carry the hopes of Ballydoyle. Running on well for fourth in the Irish Champion Stakes, he’s a strong stayer at this trip and could go very close if the word soft enters the going description.