What’s on at QIPCO British Champions Day

A plethora of QIPCO British Champions Series superstars are set to line up on Britain’s richest raceday, QIPCO British Champions Day, tomorrow at Ascot racecourse. And, as well as being the first British day on which 4 Group 1 contests are held, together with a Group 2 race and Europe’s richest mile handicap, there are plenty of other attractions to look forward to on the day.

The thrilling action on track kicks off at the earlier time of 12.45pm, with gates opening at 10.30am and racegoers are encouraged to arrive early.

Legendary 11-time Champion Jockey Lester Piggott and current Champion Richard Hughes will be taking part in an autograph signing session for race fans before making the presentation to the inaugural winner of the Stobart Champion Flat Jockey title, Silvestre De Sousa, in the in the Parade Ring at 12.15pm.

Aspiring younger jockeys will be able to test out their skills in the Kids Love the Races and Pony Club zones and there is the chance to meet a retired racehorse and take part in behind the scenes tours of the racecourse from 10.30am. And, following on from the success of last year, 2,500 students will be able to attend for free.

Once the action on the racecourse has finished, attention will turn to the Official After-Party where BBC Radio 1 DJ Matt Edmondson will get the crowd dancing before award-winning British artist Paloma Faith, will bring the day to a thrilling close when she hits the decks.

Rugby fans keen to catch the World Cup Quarter Final between South Africa and Wales will also be catered for with dedicated big-screens on the Grandstand Lawns showing all the action from Twickenham when it kicks off at 4pm.

As well as some of the world’s best sporting action, QIPCO British Champions Day is the perfect family event with young people under 18 admitted free of charge. With Premier tickets now sold out, Grandstand tickets are still available (from £30).

The day’s itinerary is as follows:

10.30am: Gates Open

10.30am – 12 Noon: Behind the scenes tours of the racecourse

10.30am – 3pm: Horseracing Zone including the chance to meet a racehorse

11.55am: Jockey autograph signing session with Lester Piggott, Richard Hughes and Silvestre De Sousa

12.15pm: Silvestre De Sousa is crowned 2015 Stobart Champion Flat Jockey

12.45pm: The first race: The QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup

3.05pm:The fifth race: The QIPCO Champion Stakes

3.15pm: Win a Mini in the Parade Ring

4pm: The After-party kicks off with Radio 1’s Matt Edmondson, followed by a DJ set by Paloma Faith

4pm: The Rugby World Cup Quarter Final from Twickenham is shown on the big screens

7:30pm: Close