Our top 5 #ChampionsDay moments

Frankel celebrated in front of the stands at Ascot on Champions Day. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com

With the fifth QIPCO British Champions Day looming fast, we thought we would share with you our top five races from the European Flat season finale at Ascot.

Cirrus des Aigles, Frankel, Farhh and Noble Mission are among the stars to have won on Champions Day in the past, but did they make the cut in our all-time favourites list?

5 Excelebration – 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes

Always regarded as the unlucky loser when bumping into Frankel, the Aidan O’Brien-trained star would have his day in the limelight.

Coasting throughout the contest, Excelebration demonstrated his true capability in routing this field to claim a well-deserved Queen Elizabeth II Stakes success.

4 Farhh – 2013 QIPCO Champion Stakes

Heading into the race, Farhh had only run once in the season – when winning the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury five months earlier.

But, in a rousing finish against a previous champion and the Investec Derby winner, Farhh proved too strong and showed outstanding battling qualities to fend off his rivals in the 2013 running of the QIPCO Champion Stakes.

3 Frankel – 2011 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes

In its first year, QIPCO British Champions Day needed a superstar to help elevate the raceday to a global sporting occasion. Frankel did just that.

With his famous burst of speed to annihilate his competitors in the closing stages, watch as Frankel is crowned the first Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner on Champions Day.

2 Noble Mission – 2014 QIPCO Champion Stakes

It’s always difficult to be seen as an individual success when your full brother is the greatest racehorse that ever lived. However, Noble Mission would make a name for himself.

In a season that turned him from being an average racehorse to a multiple Group 1-winning superstar, the fairytale of Lady Jane Cecil – and Noble Mission fighting doggedly to win the race the QIPCO Champion Stakes – ensured there was not a dry eye in the house.

1 Frankel – 2012 QIPCO Champion Stakes

Arguably the most important race in racing history. The 2012 QIPCO Champion Stakes would see whether a legend would bow out an undefeated champion or whether the elements would see him defeated to inferior opposition.

In the style of a true warrior, Sir Henry Cecil’s greatest star conquered all on Champions Day. 14 wins, zero losses. Let your eyes re-live the moment we said farewell to Frankel – the greatest there has ever been.

To book your place at QIPCO British Champions Day 2015, head to the ticketing website.