British Champions Day: All You Need To Know For Ascot Showpiece
The now customary curtain closer of the British flat season comes to us from Ascot this weekend as British Champions Day takes place on Saturday. The story in the build up has been all about, you guessed it, Frankie Dettori, but with the Italian now confirming his retirement U-Turn and seemingly very likely to be back in action on these shores in 2024 for the Royal Meeting, there may be a more even spread of news coverage on the day.
Here we outline all the facts about British Champions Day that you could possibly need to know…
British Champions Day was an innovation by the BHA to combine some of the biggest end of season races at Ascot and Newmarket into one fantastic and funded day of action at the Berkshire track to wrap up the season. The Champion Series concludes on Champions Day and there are six races, with five over different trips to determine the 'Champion' at that distance throughout the season. The remaining race is a valuable handicap over a mile, the Balmoral.
The event was widely derided on its inception, but the mighty Frankel turning up and claiming first the QEII in 2011 and the Champion Stakes in 2012 gave the race day legitimacy. There are still some detractors that say the day comes too late in the season to be a true test of who is the best in each division, but for the most part it is a day eagerly anticipated by flat fans. The prize money makes it one of the most lucrative days in British racing's calendar, and each race will be hotly contested.
The racing begins with a bang with the Champion Stayers' contest, while action is wrapped up by the aforementioned Balmoral Handicap. Below we have the racecards available which will change automatically as runners are confirmed and odds shift...
- In the opening race of the 2023 British Champions Day we will see TRUESHAN attempt to win the Long Distance Cup for a record third year in a row. Alan King's legendary stayer loves soft ground and the weather forecast looks perfect for his history making bid.
- In the Champion Sprint Stakes, the man of the moment Frankie Dettori has his best chance of a farewell winner aboard KINROSS, who won the race with relish last season and looks primed for another go on soft ground.
- In the British Champion Fillies and Mares Stakes, there is no returning champion for Frankie Dettori to ride as Emily Upjohn is not entered, but he still has a big chance onboard stablemate FREE WIND for the Gosdens.
- The QEII is looking like the race of the day, with stars entered up everywhere. PADDINGTON has had a season to remember with Irish 2000 Guineas, St James's Palace, Eclipse and Sussex Stakes glory and the Ballydoyle raider is the right favourite, but TAHIYRA (the Irish 1000 Guineas heroine)will be a huge threat from fellow Irish trainer Dermot Weld.
- Finally, in the Champion Stakes HORIZON DORE is the favourite heading over from France, but MOSTAHDAF looks overpriced after his brilliant Juddmonte victory earlier this year against Paddington. Frankie looked set to retain the ride but will instead ride Derby runner up KING OF STEEL.
