2026 Champion Stakes Odds - Ombudsman and Calandagan to clash again at Ascot
The 2026 Champion Stakes, the feature Group One race on British Champions Day at Ascot, is shaping up as a fierce contest. Last year’s top two, Ombudsman and Calandagan, again lead the market, with Calandagan winning last year before impressive international performances from both. Bay City Roller, Almaqam, and several other talented runners add depth to the field, setting up a highly competitive race. The article’s main conclusion is that this year’s Champion Stakes promises another closely fought battle among flat racing’s elite.
- Latest odds and betting for the 2026 Champion Stakes
- This Group One takes place on British Champions Day on Saturday 17th October
- Ombudsman leads Calandagan in the betting again
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 two of this season's stars are locked in a battle for favouritism for the second successive season.
Let's take a look through the latest Champion Stakes betting and run through the headline British Champions Day entries.
2026 Champion Stakes Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ombudsman | 3/1 |
| Calandagan | 7/2 |
| Bay City Roller | 5/1 |
| Almaqam | 9/1 |
| Gstaad | 12/1 |
| Bar | 16/1 |
2026 Champion Stakes Entries
The top two from last year's Champion Stakes head the market for this year's renewal. Calandagan claimed the bragging rights that day and went on to land the Sheema Classic at Meydan. Ombudsman was forced to settle for second before he too scored on Dubai World Cup night in the Dubai Turf, and John and Thady Gosden's star was superb when flattening his rivals at Royal Ascot.
Both Ombudsman and Calandagan will be looking to bounce back after defeats in the Juddmonte International and the King George respectively. Bay City Roller will try to upset the market leaders, having run a screamer to finish second to Daryz in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe earlier this month.
Almaqam beat Bay City Roller to win the Tattersalls Gold Cup and finished ahead of Ombudsman when only beaten a head by Item in the Juddmonte International. Aidan O'Brien seems set to step Gstaad up in trip following a series of narrow defeats in top eight-furlong contests this term.
Hotazhell will be looking to complete a Group One hat-trick, having won in Germany before that shock victory in the Irish Champion Stakes. Wimbledon Hawkeye finished second to Hotazhell at Leopardstown before going one better in the Prix Dollar on Arc weekend. Mauricio Delcher Sanchez opted to skip the Arc with Pearled Majesty, who could now bolster the field on Champions Day.
Gethin seems a likely runner for Owen Burrows. Hawk Mountain could join Gstaad in the field. Other potential runners include Jamie Osborne's White Birch, Danger Bay for Ed Bethell and First Look for Andre and Lavinia Fabre.
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