The final major flat racing meeting staged in the UK is British Champions Day.
This famous event takes place at during October at Ascot racecourse. The six-race card features four fantastic Group One races, the Group Two Long Distance Cup and the lucrative Balmoral Handicap.
British Champions Day Dates
British Champions Day 2023 will take place at Ascot races on Saturday 21st October.
British Champions Day Card
Race Number
Title
Status
Distance
1
British Champions Long Distance Cup
Group 2
2m
2
British Champions Sprint Stakes
Group 1
6f
3
Champion Fillies & Mares Stakes
Group 1
1m4f
4
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
Group 1
1m
5
Champions Stakes
Group 1
1m2f
6
Balmoral Handicap
Class 2
1m
Champions Stakes Preview
Since conquering Palace Pier in this race 12 months ago, Baaeed has extended his unbeaten run to ten, thanks to dominant victories in the Lockinge, Queen Anne, Sussex and Juddmonte International Stakes in 2022.
William Haggas resisted the cry to send Baaeed to the Arc following his Frankel-esque performance at York. Unibet list Baaeed as their 1/4 favourite to score on Saturday, afterwhich he'll likely be retired to stud.
Leading the charge against Baaeed is 2021 Epsom Derby winner Adayar, who ran out an easy winner on his only start of the season at Doncaster last month. Sir Michael Stoute has entered up Prince Of Wales's Stakes runner-up, Bay Bridge. Baaeed could be joined in the field by stablemate My Prospero, who hasn't been seen since a Group Two victory out in France back in July.
Haggas has also handed a British Champions Day entry to Dubai Honour, with David Egan and Roger Varian set to team up with Royal Champion. Mac Swiney and Helvic Dream could make the journey over from Ireland. Aidan O'Brien's duo of High Definition and Stone Age round off the Champion Stakes entries.
Champions Sprint Stakes Preview
Joined at the top of the betting we find Art Power and Dragon Symbol. Art Power ended his losing run with a superb five-length triumph at the Curragh last time out and boasts winning form at Ascot. Dragon Symbol will be making the eleventh appearance of the season, as he seeks to make the breakthrough at Group One level.
Like Art Power, Rohaan has winning form on this sprint track and will make his fourth-straight Group One appearance. Creative Force won the Jersey Stakes at Ascot earlier in the season. Kinross has also won a big prize over seven furlongs this term, and both will drop back in distance for the Champions Sprint.
Minzaal shaped well on his reappearance at Ascot two weeks ago and Jim Crowley has been confirmed in the saddle. David Egan rides Vadream for Charlie Fellowes, with Hollie Doyle reprising her partnership with last year's surprise winner, Glen Shiel, who's been beaten on all six of his starts since winning this Group One.
Nine-year-old Brando could make his sixth appearance in the Champions Sprint. Twilight Spinner and Gustavus Weston could make the trip over from Ireland. Happy Romance, Happy Power, Last Empire and Dandalla also feature in the Champions Day betting.
Champion Fillies & Mares Stakes Preview
John Gosden has won two of the last five editions of the Fillies & Mares and it's his filly, Free Wind who tops the betting. Free Wind has won four of her five starts this season, and was last seen bolting up in the Park Hill Stakes during the St Leger meeting.
La Petite Coco leads the challenge against the favourite, having defeated Love in the Blandford Stakes on her most recent outing. Love also features in the Champions Day betting, along with fellow Oaks winner Snowfall, who finished sixth in the Arc two weeks ago.
Rossa Ryan has already been confirmed in the saddle of Albaflora. Jim Crowley will ride Eshaada for Roger Varian, with John Egan booked to ride Andrew Balding's filly Invite.
Search For A Song could make the trip over from Ireland. Tribal Craft, La Jaconde, Lady Hayes and Mystery Angel round off the entries.
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Preivew
Leading the way in the betting is Palace Pier, who's last defeat came in this race 12 months ago. John Gosden's four-year-old has won all four of his starts this season, collecting Group One honours in the Lockinge, the Queen Mary Stakes and the Prix Jacques le Marois.
Palace Pier will lock horns with William Haggas' unbeaten three-year-old Baaeed, who landed his first Group One in the Prix du Moulin last time out. Alcohol Free has won the Coronation and Sussex Stakes this season, and drops back to a mile after a sixth-place finish in the Juddmonte International.
Defending champion, The Revenant returns to Ascot, having suffered three defeats on home soil this season. 2000 Guineas runner-up, Master Of The Seas could represent Godolphin, as could dual-Joel Stakes winner, Benbatl.
Three more seasonal Group One winners, Mother Earth, Lady Bowthorpe and Lord Glitters have all been handed Champions Day entries. Jessica Harrington's Njord rounds off the QEII entries.
