2025 Champion Stakes Tips - Three superstars clash in Champions Day feature
The 2025 Champion Stakes on British Champions Day promises an exciting confrontation among top contenders at Ascot. Ombudsman, favored for his impressive Prince Of Wales's Stakes win, faces a new challenge against French champion Calandagan. Delacroix, known for his Coral-Eclipse triumph, adds intrigue to the race. Despite a competitive field, the odds strongly favor these three. With dry weather boosting prospects, experts highlight Ombudsman as a standout choice, especially after his Juddmonte International victory. This notable race guarantees a thrilling display for racing enthusiasts.
- Odds and betting predictions for the 2025 Champion Stakes
- This Group One takes place on British Champions Day on Saturday 18th October
- Ombudsman is our selection at 7/4
The fourth and final Group One race staged on British Champions Day is the Champion Stakes. This ten-furlong contest has been won by many of flat racing's most famous names and three of this season's stars dominate the betting at Ascot.
Here's our free guide to the 2025 Champion Stakes, including our best betting tips.
2025 Champion Stakes Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ombudsman | 7/4 |
| Delacroix | 11/4 |
| Calandagan | 3/1 |
| Almaqam | 9/1 |
| Almeric | 14/1 |
| Bar | 16/1 |
2025 Champion Stakes Entries
Having decided to skip a third showdown with Delacroix in the Irish Champion Stakes, Ombudsman will carry the tag of favouritism into Ascot - the scene of his spectacular victory in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes earlier in the season.
John and Thady Gosden's two-time Group One winner looks set for a first clash with French star Calandagan, who claimed his first top-level triumph in the King George here at Ascot in July. Aidan O'Brien has also confirmed Delacroix in the field, and he'll be hoping to see his star get the better of Ombudsman, like he did in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes.
John and Thady Gosden's two-time Group One winner looks set for a first clash with French star Calandagan, who claimed his first top-level triumph in the King George here at Ascot in July. Aidan O'Brien has also confirmed Delacroix in the field, and he'll be hoping to see his star get the better of Ombudsman, like he did in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes.
There's then a decent gap in the betting until we reach Ed Walker's Almaqam, who'll be having his first start at Group One level this weekend. Andrew Balding will step impressive Doonside Cup winner Almeric up in class for the first time. Balding will also hand John Smith's Cup winner, Fox Legacy his Group One debut at Ascot.
Economics will have his first start of the season on Saturday, after William Haggas finally decided that last year's Irish Champion Stakes winner was ready to return to the track. James Doyle and Andrew Fabre team up with supplementary entry, First Look. Devil's Advocate has also been added to the field, with Dylan Cunha's Prague and Aidan O'Brien's pace-setter, Mount Kilimanjaro completing the field.
Economics will have his first start of the season on Saturday, after William Haggas finally decided that last year's Irish Champion Stakes winner was ready to return to the track. James Doyle and Andrew Fabre team up with supplementary entry, First Look. Devil's Advocate has also been added to the field, with Dylan Cunha's Prague and Aidan O'Brien's pace-setter, Mount Kilimanjaro completing the field.
2025 Champion Stakes Tips
There are some very decent horses in this year's Champion Stakes, but none of them - with the possible exception of Economics, who hasn't run all season - are in the same league as the leading trio in the betting.
Calandagan has been waiting for the Champion Stakes since his victory over Kalpana in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes here in July. Graffard's star would have run in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe had geldings been allowed to enter, and I do think a mile-and-a-half is his best trip. On decent ground, he could get outpaced over this shorter distance.
The dry weather forecast has encouraged Ballydoyle to give Delacroix a final swansong on Champions Day. Many had presumed that the Irish Champion Stakes would be the final act for this valuable son of Dubawi, but the fact that he runs on Champions Day must suggest that he's going well at home.
I remain convinced that OMBUDSMAN (7/4) is the best colt in the sport at the moment. John and Thady Gosden's star was beaten by Delacroix in a messy renewal of the Coral-Eclipse, and turned the tables on his rival when winning the Juddmonte International.
The ride that Rab Havlin gave Godolphin's pacemaker, Birr Castle that day was questionable. Havlin allowed the outsider to open up a lengthy lead, putting all of the other jockeys under pressure from an early stage. William Buick was the first to act, stealing a march on Ryan Moore and Delacroix, beating his rival by three-and-a-half lengths. The fact that Birr Castle hung on to finish third ahead of plenty of classy rivals tells me that he wasn't given the reckless ride that many had labelled it.
This time, Devil's Advocate will be tasked with making the running, ensuring that this contest is run at an honest pace. Hopefully, we'll be treated to a stunning showdown between three of the best horses in the sport, and I'll be backing the excellent Ombudsman to come out on top.
Visit our Champion Stakes Live Stream page if you want to watch any of Saturday's races at Ascot via a mobile or tablet.
Live Stream
Visit our Champion Stakes Live Stream page if you want to watch any of Saturday's races at Ascot via a mobile or tablet.
Verdict
Ombudsman is our selection in the 2025 Champion Stakes.
Ombudsman
2025 Champion Stakes
@7/4 - 5 Units
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