Stars of European Racing entered for epic QIPCO British Champions Day

A mouthwatering clash in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO) between Paddington and Tahiyra remains on the cards after the five-day confirmations were revealed today for the 13th edition of QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday.

The likes of Nashwa, Inspiral, Big Rock, Triple Time and QIPCO 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean could also take their place in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, in what is set to be one of the races of the season.

The most valuable raceday in Great Britain with prize money of £4.19 million also remains on the agenda for Mostahdaf in the QIPCO Champion Stakes, who was tied second in the most recent Longines World’s Best Racehorse rankings with Arc winner Ace Impact.

Trueshan is entered for the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup, aiming to extend his incredible record at QIPCO British Champions Day by becoming the first horse to win a race four times. Other winners from last year Kinross (QIPCO British Champions Sprint) and Bay Bridge (QIPCO Champion Stakes) are also set to defend their crowns.

The main international challengers come from France in the shape of Horizon Dore, favourite for the QIPCO Champion Stakes and Big Rock, who is entered for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO).

QIPCO British Champions Day on Saturday is set to be legendary jockey Frankie Dettori’s final raceday in Europe and he said of the day: “It’s a premier raceday where we crown our Champions of the year and it will be my last day of riding in England. I don’t want to take the gloss of QIPCO British Champions Day, it coronates the best horses of the year – the best Fillies, Colts, Milers, Middle Distance and Long Distance horses.

“It will be very emotional, but I am set to have four or five decent rides on the day. So, I’ll try to keep my emotions in check until after my last ride, but obviously all my friends and family will be there. I’m sure I’ll shed a tear on the day, but at the moment I’m really trying to focus on the races and give my friends and family something to shout about on the day.”

Trainer John Gosden, who has enjoyed considerable success at the meeting with Dettori, both in his own name and with his son Thady, said: “QIPCO British Champions Day is always a great meeting and one of the first things you notice when you get there is all of the young people it attracts. It’s a much younger crowd than you get at Royal Ascot, which has to be good for the sport, and I’m very much pro the meeting.

“Frankel lit up the day, first of all over the mile and then a year later over a mile and a quarter when Henry [Cecil] had finally tamed him. It’s always great racing and we’ve had some great days there with Cracksman, Stradivarius and Roaring Lion, and particularly with the fillies in the mile and a half race.

“It can get a bit squeezed in the calendar but the timing is very good this year, as it’s 20 days from the Arc, rather than 13 days from it.” 

Supplementary entries were made at the five-day entry stage for the Ralph Beckett-trained Angel Bleu in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO) and Term of Endearment in the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, who provides trainer Henry de Bromhead with a first runner at the finale to the British Flat racing season.

The Going is currently Soft on both the Straight Course and Round Course following 23mm of rain from Wednesday to Monday morning. The forecast is dry until Wednesday when 15mm to 20mm is forecast through to Saturday.

As a reminder, the race conditions for the three Round Course races (1m2f, 1m4f and 2m races) permit for the switch to the Inner Flat Course if ‘Heavy’ is set to appear in the Going description. This is subject to verification from an independent panel and that decision to switch must be made no later than 8am on the day of racing.

Much will depend on how much rain falls but given the current forecast, both tracks will be set up for racing and Going descriptions with Going Stick readings for both will be provided on Tuesday, 17^th October. The situation will be constantly monitored.