Star-studded cast in the making for British Champions Day

Many of the best horses in Europe have been entered for Qipco Champions Day at Ascot on October 18.

This year the card has been extended to seven races with the addition of a two-year-old contest, while with the upgrade of the Long Distance Cup to Group One status there will be five top-level events for the first time and a record £4.35million in prize-money.

The feature Qipco Champion Stakes sees recent King George winner Calandagan, Delacroix, Ombudsman, Los Angeles and last year’s winner Anmaat among the 38 entries.

Calandagan was second 12 months ago and his trainer Francis-Henri Graffard has also entered 2024 King George winner Goliath and the unbeaten Daryz.

Karl Burke’s Royal Champion was last seen impressing in the York Stakes, a win which has taken him up to a lofty rating of 120.

“He is now the highest-rated horse I’ve ever trained,” said Burke. “Hopefully he can live up to that, he wouldn’t want the ground too slow but if he remains in good form we’ll head to Ascot for the Champion Stakes.”

One name missing from the Champion Stakes is Field Of Gold, although he is one of the 38 in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Queen Anne Stakes winner Docklands, Lockinge victor Lead Artist, Sussex Stakes winner Qirat and Sunday’s Prix Rothschild heroine Fallen Angel are all QEII possibles.

Fallen Angel’s trainer Burke has a trip to Ireland in mind for her next, but Ascot is firmly in his sights.

“Fallen Angel has come out of her latest race in perfect condition. There’s a good chance we head to Champions Day for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes,” he said.

“She’ll have a trip to the Matron (Leopardstown) first, then to Newmarket for the Sun Chariot and then we could take on the big guns if she continues in good form. We’d fancy our chances if the ground came up on the slow side.”

John and Thady Gosden’s Gold Cup hero Trawlerman is one of 29 in the British Champions Long Distance Cup for an increased pot of £500,000. Stablemates Courage Mon Ami, Sweet William and French Master also feature.

Recent Goodwood Cup one-two Scandinavia and Illinois as well as Jan Brueghel are all possibles for Aidan O’Brien who struck last year with Kyprios.

There are 53 in contention for the British Champions Sprint Stakes with Royal Ascot winner Lazzat topping the bill.

He could be joined by fellow French-trained entries such as Beauvatier, Daylight, Topgear and Woodshauna.

Dockland’s trainer Harry Eustace has entered Commonwealth Cup winner Time For Sandals after her good effort over five furlongs at Goodwood last week.

“Time For Sandals won over six at Ascot, so it makes sense to give her an entry,” he said.

“How she runs next time out will determine if she goes, she’s had quite a long season, because we prepped her up like she might be a Guineas filly, so she’s not a definite just yet.

“However, if she wins her next start, it will be really hard not to go there. Having one horse going there is a proud moment, but having two would be extremely exciting.”