Six horses who could make a Series breakthrough in 2022

The two-year-olds of 2021 will represent the majority of the new kids on the QIPCO British Champions Series block in 2022. But there will still be room for older horses who have yet to land a Series race to enjoy at least one slice of glory and we’ve got six to keep in mind.

ART POWER

Trainer: Tim Easterby. Age: 5

The speedy grey has run in seven Series races without getting his head in front but could well put the record straight next year. He’s gone close on several occasions, including in last year’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes, Darley July Cup, Betfair Sprint Cup and QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes when never beaten more than two lengths.

He didn’t always get the rub of the green, especially in the last-named race when he fared best of those drawn high. He stayed on well from stall 20, while the first three home jumped from gates 5, 2 and 4. Entitled to be even stronger again next year, and versatile regards the ground, Art Power remains one to be positive about.

DUBAI HONOUR

Trainer: William Haggas. Age: 4

Baaeed made giant strides as a miler for William Haggas this year, but the remarkable progress of Dubai Honour, his stablemate, went slightly under the radar. The gelding began the season on a mark of 91 but ended it rated 30lb higher.

Dubai Honour finished fourth in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot on his return and then won a handicap at Newmarket before stepping up in class to land Group 2 contests at Deauville and Longchamp.

He wasn’t originally entered for QIPCO British Champions Day but the swagger he showed at the latter track convinced connections to supplement him for the QIPCO Champion Stakes and he vindicated the decision by beating all bar Sealiway. He was also a fine fourth in the Longines Hong Kong Cup, and will be a force in all the top middle-distance races next year.

GOLDEN PAL

Trainer: Wesley Ward. Age: 4

Some British racing fans will be wary of Golden Pal after his heavy defeat in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York in August but he surely was not at best that day; going off too fast and effectively burning himself out long before the finish.

The imposing colt put that reverse behind him when landing a Grade 2 prize at Keeneland in October, and followed that with a dazzling display when making all in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar. Leading British and Irish sprinters Emaraty Ana, A Case Of You and Glass Slippers were among those who simply could not get near him.

The King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot is already at the top of Golden Pal’s agenda next year and, no doubt, Ward will be looking for redemption at York.

NATURE STRIP

Trainer: Chris Waller. Age:  8

Choisir, Takeover Target, Miss Andretti, Scenic Blast and the legendary Black Caviar have been Australian-trained sprint winners at Royal Ascot this century.

In recent years, challengers from Down Under have been thin on the ground but trainer Chris Waller, who went close with Brazen Beau in the 2015 Diamond Jubilee Stakes, seems intent on bringing Nature Strip over in 2022 and he will warrant close attention. Effective over 5f and 6f, perhaps Waller will even consider trying to pull of the King’s Stand/Diamond Jubilee double, previously achieved by Choisir (2003) and Blue Point (2019)

The six-time Group 1 winner was better than ever this year and boasts an official rating of 124. To put that into perspective, none of the 20 runners in the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes went into the race with a mark higher than 115,

YIBIR

Trainer: Charlie Appleby. Age: 4

There were many highlights around the world for Charlie Appleby in 2021, with Yibir’s stunning Breeders’ Cup Turf in November no doubt being among them. By all accounts, the son of Dubawi has not been the easiest to train, but a gelding operation in late May (after three defeats in a month) has clearly helped him fulfil his potential.

He had landed the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York and Grade 1 Jockey Club Derby Invitational Stakes at Belmont Park before journeying on to Del Mar, where he showed a superb turn of foot top collar Broome in the closing stages. Yibir is again likely to be on his travels in the early part of the year but will be well worth his place in some of the summer’s top middle-distance races.

ALPANISTA

Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott. Age: 5

Five runs for Alpinista in 2021 yielded five wins. Victories at Goodwood and Haydock were a precursor to three successive Group 1 wins in Germany, all over 1m 4f on goodish going. It was excellent placing by Sir Mark Prescott but don’t be deceived into thinking she was found soft targets. For instance, on the first occasion, at Hoppergarten, she beat German Derby winner Torquator Tasso by almost three lengths, and he would go on to land the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Let’s hope we see more of Alpinista on home soil next year. The Darley Yorkshire Oaks at York in August, in which she chased home Love in 2020, would look a natural target.