Calandagan shines on QIPCO British Champions Day

Calandagan (15/8) atoned for his narrow defeat in last year’s G1 QIPCO Champion Stakes as he stormed to a two-and-a-quarter-length success over market rival Ombudsman in a brilliant 2025 edition of the 10-furlong showpiece.

The market principals were held up a long way off a strong gallop but it was Calandagan and Mickael Barzalona who showed the best change of gear as the cream rose to the top in the home straight. 

Ombudsman (13/8F), the highest-rated horse in the world, threw down a strong challenge alongside Calandagan approaching the final furlong but could not go with the winner late on. Almaqam (28/1), who beat Ombudsman at Sandown Park earlier in the season, edged out Delacroix for third.

The gelded son of Gleneagles becomes the fourth French-trained winner of the QIPCO Champion Stakes since it moved to Ascot, following Cirrus des Aigles (2011), Almanzor (2016) and Sealiway (2021).

Graffard, who also trains Arc winner Daryz, said: “Calandagan is a fantastic horse. The way he was working coming into this race was just incredible. He loves this track, and we know him very well. When he took his stride in the straight, it was just so beautiful to watch. Ombudsman was trying to challenge him, but Calandagan is a very good horse.

“I kept him fresh. We haven’t been very greedy with him by trying to run him too much – and the horse gives back to us now. He is a real star. We love horse racing and today was a beautiful horse race to watch. 

“I think Calandagan is a real champion. Work is so easy for him, but he needs to work. I was quite far from the Champion Stakes, but I had to put him in a gallop with Daryz before Arc weekend because I needed him to be fitter for today. He was looking at Daryz like this [glances to the side and smiles] ‘come with me, I’ll show you how it works’. It was unbelievable but looking back now it was a gallop with an Arc winner and a Champion Stakes winner.”

Barzalona said: “Calandagan was a bit far back early on, and we were on different ground today, but when he found his action, he got ready to go. I could feel Ombudsman coming to me but I was, fortunately, much quicker than him. I think Calandagan is a very good horse and he deserves this.

“I haven’t really been able to understand the power of these [Aga Khan] colours. Someone said they are followed by everyone and I think that is true because there is such joy when they see these colours go across the line. I am very proud to be part of the team.”

Powerful Glory produced one of the greatest shocks in horse racing history with a remarkable 200/1 last-gasp success in the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint.

The lightly raced winner was the beneficiary of another masterful ride on Ascot’s Straight Course from Jamie Spencer, who smuggled the Richard Fahey-trained three-year-old into contention in the near side group before getting up to collar 2/1 favourite Lazzat in the final strides.

Winner of the G2 Mill Reef Stakes last year, Powerful Glory usurps 150/1 Sussex Stakes scorer Qirat as the longest-priced winner of a Group One race in the UK. The son of Cotai Glory required wind surgery earlier in the year and lined up after finishing last of five in a conditions race at Beverley.

I’m delighted for everybody; it has been tricky for us this year, and to finish with a Group 1 is fantastic

Fahey said: “Since Beverley, he has been training extremely well. I am not saying I thought he would come here and nearly win, but I knew he would do his best and, when I saw 200/1, I nearly had a bet. I don’t bet, but I nearly had a bet. We have seen the real Powerful Glory today – and he has only had four starts.

“I am delighted for everybody; it has been tricky for us this year, and to finish with a Group One is fantastic, especially for Sheikh Rashid, who has been a huge supporter for me. It is always great to reward owners that are faithful to you.”

Cicero’s Gift became the second shock winner at this year’s QIPCO British Champions Day as he defied odds of 100/1 for trainer Charlie Hills in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO).

Despite being the lowest rated of the 16 runners, Cicero’s Gift made good progress up the far rail to lead passing the furlong pole and saw his race out strongly under Jason Watson to win by a length and a quarter.

The Lion In Winter (12/1), also racing on the far side of the track, produced his best performance of the season in second, while Alakazi (22/1) stayed on down the middle to edge out Docklands for third. The 13/8 favourite Field Of Gold held every chance but could not find the gears to challenge late on.

Watson said: “You don’t expect this to be happening to you! I thought the luck of the day had struck out when the 200/1 winner came in earlier. It means a lot. You need a lot of support. My mum and dad have been good supporters of mine over the years. I didn’t grow up in this industry. It was really difficult for me when I was younger to have the success that I did and then lose it pretty quick. I have been trying to build on it the last few years to get back to the position I know that I’m capable of and I hope today I’ve proved to some people that I’m as good as I used to be.”

The G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes turned into a one-horse show from the two-furlong pole as 11/8 market leader Kalpana quickened away in brilliant style to win the race for a second successive year.

Always ideally placed on the heels of the leader under Colin Keane, Kalpana kicked clear in the straight and never looked like being caught. Estrange (6/1) stayed on well into second after waiting for a run, two and a half lengths behind the winner, while French raider Quisisana (6/1) finished third.

Champions Day is a really good way to end our season and it has become an important focal point for every trainer

 Balding said: “That was really good. Kalpana has had a frustrating season but looked right back to her best there. Things haven’t quite gone how we wanted them to this year, but that was a pretty good performance.

“Champions Day is a really good way to end our season and it has become an important focal point for every trainer. To get a winner is special.”

Barry Mahon of Juddmonte said: “This is massive. This is one of the biggest days of the year in British racing and to be here with a filly like that is amazing. The owners are here and it’s nice to be able to take part – and to have a winner is extra special.”

Trawlerman (5/6F) cemented his status as the leading stayer around with a gritty success over stablemate Sweet William in the G1 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup.

In a strongly run race, William Buick kicked for home on Trawlerman approaching the home turn and, although Sweet William (5/2) made good headway in the straight, a length and a half separated the John & Thady Gosden-trained duo at the line.

Godolphin’s star stayer, winning this race for a second time after his defeat of Kyprios in 2023, is unbeaten domestically this year after wins in the G3 Henry II Stakes, G1 Gold Cup and G2 Lonsdale Cup. 

John Gosden said: “They are two fabulous horses. We will put them away now, bring them out next year and get a run in before the Gold Cup. That would be the plan. Trawlerman is a relentless galloper and I couldn’t be more thrilled with him. It is late in the year for him – he has been on the go for a long time, but it was a great performance.”

Buick said: “Trawlerman is the champion stayer and did what we expected of him. I think he is a better horse than he was last year. Frankie [Dettori] won this race on him a couple of years ago and it’s my turn right now. I am very fortunate to be the one riding him.”

Mission Central (5/1) bounced back from his G2 Flying Childers Stakes disappointment with a smooth success in the inaugural running of the QIPCO British Champions Day Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained son of No Nay Never opened up daylight once shaken up and had enough in the tank to hold off the fast-finishing Ardisia (18/1) by half a length. The 11/10 favourite Words Of Truth, winner of the G2 Mill Reef Stakes last time out, was a length further back in third.

O’Brien said: “Mission Central is a horse with a lot of ability. He was coming here on the way to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. He ran at Doncaster where I think the ground was a bit slow for him. He loved this nice ground today. I am delighted with him.

“Christophe [Soumillon] said he is very fast. He eased him back and they travelled very easy through the race. We think that race will suit him [at the Breeders’ Cup]. He is a gelding, so he is a horse everyone can have fun with.”

On standing in for Coolmore while Ryan Moore is injured, Soumillon said: “It is like a kid when you bring him to Disneyland, you can’t dream better than that. I am really sorry for what happened to Ryan because nobody deserves something like that but, at the end of the day, it is nothing that bad and we’re going to see him soon, so that’s the most important.”

The final race of the day, the Balmoral Handicap (sponsored by QIPCO), saw Tom Marquand produce a masterful frontrunning ride on Crown Of Oaks (5/1) as he led from start to finish for a second victory at Ascot this year.

Holloway Boy (16/1) and Ebt’s Guard (10/1) dead-heated for second whilst other fancies in the race, Shout (6/1) and Native Warrior (4/1F), were fourth and fifth respectively.

This was a second victory in the Balmoral Handicap for trainer William Haggas after Aldaary’s win in 2021 whilst Marquand was recording his second success in this contest after riding Njord in 2020.