The stars are out in force for a sensational day of world class racing

Frankel heads an all star cast on QIPCO British Champions Day.  Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

The final declarations have been made for QIPCO British Champions Day and the stage is well and truly set.  The middle distance race with the greatest strength in depth that this country has seen in recent memory is in prospect in the £1.3m QIPCO Champion Stakes and the highest quality mile race to be run anywhere in the world this year looks assured in the £1m Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Tremendously strong line-ups have also been confirmed for the £200,000 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup, the £250,000 QIPCO British Champions Sprint and the £250,000 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes which precede the two big feature races.

So You Think, who will be ridden by Ryan Moore, Nathaniel, Twice Over, Midday and Snow Fairy stand out amongst the 12 declarations for the QIPCO Champion Stakes, the richest race ever run in Britain, with Cirrus Des Aigles, Green Destiny, Ransom Note, Wigmore Hall, Casamento and Dubai Prince all potential top notchers as well.  It is world class race with fantastic strength in depth.

The mighty Frankel heads the eight horses declared for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, by far the most valuable mile race ever run in Europe, as he seeks to extend his unbeaten career record to nine races. 

The brilliant French filly, Immortal Verse, and the fast improving colt with star potential, Excelebration, have both also been declared. They will ensure that Sir Henry Cecil’s wonder horse has his toughest test to date.

Europe’s top two long distance horses, Fame And Glory and Opinion Poll, and an unexposed stayer with huge potential, Times Up, stand out in the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup which opens the card, for which ten horses have been declared.

The pesence of French sprinting star Moonlight Cloud, the hugely exciting Deacon Blues and the Golden Jubilee Stakes winner, Society Rock, will make for a scintillating showdown in the QIPCO British Champions Sprint, for which 16 have been declared.

In the QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes, a host of top class fillies are set to battle it out, led by dual Oaks heroine Dancing Rain and the immensely promising Vita Nova.

A whole clutch of other top notchers are in opposition, including Crystal Capella, Ferdoos, Gertrude Bell, Meeznah and the tough and consistent Irish-trained filly, Banimpire.

The day will end with the QIPCO Future Stars Apprentices Handicap, when the aspiring young champion jockeys of the future will have their moment in the spotlight. A bumper field of 29 is set to go to post. 

With a wonderful sunny day forecast, lots of activities going on behind the stands and the best day’s racing of the year waiting to unfold on the track, this is an occasion to savour and a raceday absolutely not to miss! 

If you can’t make it to Ascot, you can catch the five big races live on the BBC (starting at 1.35pm on BBC2 and swicthing to BBC 1 at 2.15pm), At The Races and Racing UK.

But get to Ascot if you can for the racing experience of a lifetime! Grandstand tickets will be available at the gate priced at £26, but now is your last chance to book them in advance at the discounted rate of £23.40. 

To book via Ascot, CLICK HERE.