20 Group One race winners set to crown QIPCO British Champions Day

Ruler of The World, seen here winning the Investec Derby in June, is one of 20 Group One winners set to line up on QIPCO British Champions Day tomorrow. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

Twenty individual Group One race winners are set to grace QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot tomorrow.

The 20, who between them have won 34 Group One races, include three British Classic winners, Dawn Approach (QIPCO 2000 Guineas), Ruler Of The World (Investec Derby) and Talent (Investec Oaks).

Estimate leads the way in the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup following her Gold Cup victory in June, while Royal Diamond won last year’s Irish St Leger.

Maarek, winner of the Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp on Arc Day, is the one Group One race winner in the Sprint.

Dalkala, winner of the Prix de l’Opera on Arc Day, Igugu, winner of four Group One races in South Africa including the J&B Met, German Group One winner Nymphea, and Talent lead the way in the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares.

Dawn Approach and Elusive Kate, each with four Group One victories to their names, Gordon Lord Byron and Maxios, who each have two, together with Soft Falling Rain, Kingsbarns and Olympic Glory, who each have one, make a stellar line-up for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO.

In the QIPCO Champion Stakes, Cirrus des Aigles with three Group Ones, including this race two years ago, Hunter’s Light with two and Farhh, Parish Hall, Morandi and Ruler Of The World with one each complete the Group One-winning line-up.

That is just one less than the 21 Group One winners in the five equivalent all-aged Group One races on Arc Day.

“Arc Day was sensational and we are delighted to be pretty much matching their big day in terms of equine talent,” said Rod Street, Chief Executive of British Champions Series Ltd.

“The news from Timeform that we have five of the top eight European-based horses running on Saturday is also very gratifying.

“We can all look forward to a fantastic day’s racing tomorrow, the perfect climax to another memorable Flat racing season.”