The flat campaign is well into the final furlong by the time we reach October each year, but the British season still has time for one last hurrah as Ascot stages British Champions Day. Introduced in 2011 as a final gathering of the season’s standout performers, the six-race Champions Day card contains four Group 1 contests and includes targets for the sprinters, stayers, milers, and fillies and mares.
Topping the bill is the Champion Stakes, which, with a total of £1.3m (2023) in prize money up for grabs, is one of the most valuable contests of the British racing year. First run in 1877 at Newmarket, the Champion Stakes was handed Group 1 status upon the introduction of the ratings system in 1971. 2011 saw the race leave its long-time home and take up residence at Ascot to serve as the headline act of the newly formed British Champions Day fixture. Open to all runners aged three and above, this 1m2f affair attracts the crème de la crème of the middle distance division, with the names of Brigadier Gerard (twice), Pebbles, Frankel and Cracksman (twice) all featuring on the illustrious roll of honour.
2023
- 1st – King Of Steel 3/1J - Jockey: Frankie Dettori, Trainer: Roger Varian
- 2nd – Via Sistina 11/2 - Jockey: Oisin Murphy, Trainer: George Boughey
- 3rd – Horizon Dore 4/1 - Jockey: Mickael Barzalona, Trainer: Patrice Cottier
2022
- 1st – Bay Bridge 10/1 - Jockey: Richard Kingscote, Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
- 2nd – Adayar 6/1 - Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: Charlie Appleby
- 3rd – My Prospero 22/1 - Jockey: Tom Marquand, Trainer: William Haggas
2021
- 1st – Sealiway 12/1 - Jockey: Mickael Barzalona, Trainer: Cedric Rossi
- 2nd – Dubai Honour 6/1 - Jockey: James Doyle, Trainer: William Haggas
- 3rd – Mac Swiney 40/1 - Jockey: Kevin Manning, Trainer: Jim Bolger
2020
- 1st – Addeybb 9/1 - Jockey: Tom Marquand, Trainer: William Haggas
- 2nd – Skalleti 13/2 - Jockey: Pierre-Charles Boudot, Trainer: Jérôme Reynier
- 3rd – Magical 15/8F - Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
2019
- 1st – Magical EvsF - Jockey: Donnacha O’Brien, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- 2nd – Addeybb 5/1 - Jockey: James Doyle, Trainer: William Haggas
- 3rd – Deirdre 10/1 - Jockey: Oisin Murphy, Trainer: Mitsuru Hashida
2018
- 1st – Cracksman 5/6F - Jockey: Frankie Dettori, Trainer: John Gosden
- 2nd – Crystal Ocean 11/4 - Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
- 3rd – Subway Dancer 66/1 - Jockey: Radek Koplik, Trainer: Zdenek Koplik
2017
- 1st – Cracksman 13/8F - Jockey: Frankie Dettori, Trainer: John Gosden
- 2nd – Poet’s Word 7/1 - Jockey: Andrea Atzeni, Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
- 3rd – Highland Reel 17/2 - Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
2016
- 1st – Almanzor 11/8F - Jockey: Christophe Soumillon, Trainer: Jean-Claude Rouget
- 2nd – Found 5/2 - Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- 3rd – Jack Hobbs 7/1 - Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: John Gosden
2015
- 1st – Fascinating Rock 10/1 - Jockey: Pat Smullen, Trainer: Dermot Weld
- 2nd – Found 9/2 - Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- 3rd – Jack Hobbs EvensF - Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: John Gosden
2014
- 1st – Noble Mission 7/1 - Jockey: James Doyle, Trainer: Lady Cecil
- 2nd – Al Kazeem 16/1 - Jockey: George Baker, Trainer: Roger Charlton
- 3rd – Free Eagle 5/2 - Jockey: Pat Smullen, Trainer: Dermot Weld