Frankel heads 17 acceptors for the QIPCO Champion Stakes

Frankel in the winner’s enclosure on QIPCO British Champions Day last year. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

The countdown to the second QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday, October 20 is now in full swing and the sense of anticipation ahead of British racing’s richest day of the year steps up a gear today with the publication of the latest acceptors for the championship finales in each of the five categories of the QIPCO British Champions Series.

All eyes will be on Frankel as the Khalid Abdulla-owned superstar makes what is likely to be the final start of his imperious career in the £1.3 million QIPCO Champion Stakes, Europe’s most valuable mile and a quarter race.

Unbeaten in 13 starts, Frankel handled the step up to 10 furlongs with consummate ease in the Juddmonte International at York on August 22.

Frankel was successful on QIPCO British Champions Day in 2011 in the mile Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO and has to date won eight QIPCO British Champions Series races over the last two years.

Opposition to Frankel in the QIPCO Champion Stakes, which has 17 going forward, looks very strong and is likely to provide him with the toughest assignment of his career.

It includes last year’s victor Cirrus des Aigles from France, the second highest-rated horse in the world this year after Frankel, as well as this season’s Coral-Eclipse Stakes winner Nathaniel.

In the World Thoroughbred Rankings, Nathaniel is the joint third highest-rated horse in the world this year and he came closest to beating Frankel when the pair were separated by half a length on their respective debuts two years ago in a maiden at Newmarket .

The winners of this year’s English, Irish, French and German Derbys have also all stood their ground at the forfeit stage.

Camelot (English and Irish Derby winner as well as the QIPCO 2000 Guineas) is one of four entries for Ireland’s champion trainer Aidan O’Brien, who also has dual Investec Coronation Cup victor St Nicholas Abbey in the race.

French Derby winner Saonois represents trainer Jean-Pierre Gauvin, while German Derby winner, Pastorius, who runs in Berlin today, represents trainer Mario Hofer.

In addition to Cirrus des Aigles and Saonois, French interest is also provided by Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes heroine Giofra, trained by Alain de Royer Dupre.

For the full list of acceptors and race details, CLICK HERE.