Al Kazeem’s connections leaning towards Champion Stakes swansong

Al Kazeem and James Doyle notch a fifth straight win together in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown last month. Image copyright of Racingfotos.com

Roger Charlton has hinted that Al Kazeem could be aimed at the Champion Stakes on QIPCO British Champions Day.

The five-year-old, who has already scored in two Champions Series races this season, will line-up in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York next Wednesday and will be bidding to become the first horse since Frankel to win three Series races in a  campaign.

Following York, Al Kazeem’s likely destination was set to be abroad. However, Charlton has now admitted that the temptation of the QIPCO Champion Stakes is too great to ignore and that the Coral-Eclipse winner could well head to Ascot on Saturday 19 October.

The Wiltshire-based trainer told The Guardian: "I think it’s not definite that he’s going to go for the Arc … We’ll just keep all the options open.

“I suppose, in theory, if you had to choose one race where he has the better chance, you’d say he’s got a better chance in the Champion Stakes."

Al Kazeem’s racing career has been blighted with injury, but, after staying fit throughout the season, he has now been able to fulfil the potential his connections thought he always had.

The son of Dubawi’s highlight thus far was in this year’s Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, when he beat Mukhadram in a nail-bitingly tight finish.

But, Charlton has confessed that Al Kazeem’s career could be coming to an end and that the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot could be his superstar’s final swansong.

He said: "I suppose it’s looking more like that (his final race).

“It’s all about whether the owner says, I’m getting more fun out of having a wonderful racehorse, or whether he says the obvious thing to do is retire him.

“He hasn’t got a lot to prove.”

Tickets for QIPCO British Champions Day on Saturday 19 October are available now. Do not miss out!