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We review the QIPCO British Champions Day, a glittering finale to the British Flat racing season and one of the most important days in the global racing calendar. The series showcases 35 of the UK’s finest Flat races, including three of the orld’s top five. Featuring in all the UK’s most iconic Flat festivals, from the Derby, St Leger and York’s Ebor Festival, to Glorious Goodwood and Royal Ascot, these races present unparalleled, quality racing across 10 of the country’s finest racecourses.
Rod Stree, Chief Executive of Great British Racing and British Champions Series, said
“There was something for everyone on QIPCO British Champions Day, a record number of young people attending, families and communities all enjoying the best of British racing and our extended Fan Zone, with Frankie putting a cherry on the top of the cake.”
The son of Excelebration led all the way, in the Balmoral Handicap on the far rail under jockey Joe Fanning to win by a length. The winner, owned by Middleham Park, demonstrated his skill on soft ground after triumphing at Goodwood in August.
The horse took advantage of starting in stall four, which proved beneficial in a race where being drawn low was advantageous. Ropey Guest put in another strong performance in an Ascot handicap to take second place, and Docklands finished third with jockey Hayley Turner, who is just two wins away from reaching the 1,000 winner mark.
Assistant trainer Mark Johnston commented that they knew The Gatekeeper would like the ground and that front-runners had been successful that day. The plan was for Fanning to jump and bowl along, which was perfectly suitable for the race. Johnston also mentioned that this could be the end of the season for The Gatekeeper, although one of the owners is considering the Lincoln as an obvious target. Fanning added that The Gatekeeper had a tough year, but he loved the ground and traveled well throughout the race.
Poptronic & Sam James Make History With First Group One Win
Poptronic, who sported the colours of her breeders David & Yvonne Blunt, in the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes was keen early on before settling into a good rhythm on the front end. The 4YO kept finding down the straight as the chasing pack tried to close, ultimately scoring by a neck from the staying-on Bluestocking. Sam James said, “This is a really great day - I can’t quite believe it; it’s a bit surreal. I’d just like to thank the owners and Karl [Burke, trainer].”
Art Power Claims Victory In Champions Sprint
In a stunning upset, Art Power won the Gr.1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint, beating out the favorite Kinross by a neck. Despite appearing to be a sitting duck when Kinross made a strong challenge in the final furlong, Art Power rallied gamely to secure his first win on QIPCO British Champions Day for trainer Tim Easterby. Spycatcher and Swingalong finished third and fourth, respectively. Easterby praised Art Power's performance, saying that he always runs to the line and is a great horse to train. Jockey David Allan also celebrated his first win at the meeting and praised Art Power's toughness and speed on the wet ground. While Kinross put up a strong fight, trainer Ralph Beckett said they would consider their options for future races after the weekend.
Trawlerman Wins Long Distance Cup By A Neck
Trawlerman, ridden by Frankie Dettori, won the opening Group Two feature beating Kyprios by a neck. Despite being passed by Kyprios, Trawlerman found the extra strength to come back and win the race. Sweet William finished third. Dettori expressed his delight at beating his greatest rival, Ryan Moore, on his final day and credited Trawlerman's professionalism and great battling skills. John Gosden praised Dettori's superb judgment and great feel for the horse. Aidan O'Brien praised Kyprios for running a great race and Broome for finishing sixth.
A new statue of Frankie Dettori was unveiled at Ascot Racecourse by Her Majesty The Queen. Designed by artist and sculptor Tristram Lewis, the statue is located by the Grandstand Lawn and will act as a permanent reminder of Dettori's incredible contributions to racing at Ascot.
Shadwell Estate Company Limited Secures British Champion Owner Title At Ascot
Shadwell Estate Company Limited has secured the British Champion Owner title at Ascot, which is a remarkable achievement considering the passing of its founder and seven-time Champion Owner Hamdan Al Maktoum two years ago.
Sheikha Hissa Bint Hamdan Al Maktoum, his daughter who now oversees the company, has led a select team of horses to outstanding results in 2023. Notably, Mostahdaf has emerged as one of the world’s best after impressive performances in the Gr.1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes and Gr.1 Juddmonte International. Hukum also won the Gr.1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes at Ascot in July, followed by Al Husn's victory in Goodwood’s Gr.1 Qatar Nassau Stakes five days later.
Mostahdaf did not participae in the Qipco Champion Stakes due to unsuitable ground, and instead will round off his career in the Breeders’ Cup Turf next month.
Mutasaabeq and Alflaila secured Gr.2 prizes at Newmarket and York respectively, while the juvenile division has been headed by Gr.1 Dewhurst Stakes runner-up Alyanaabi. Sheikha Hissa Bint Hamdan Al Maktoum expressed her happiness and appreciation for the team's hard work with homebred horses. She is especially proud of Hukum's performance and Mostahdaf's wins in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and Juddmonte. Winning the Nassau was also a highlight for the team, as they have never won it before, and it was with a homebred horse, making it even more special.