The British Flat season reaches its dramatic conclusion on Saturday 17th October, as runners and riders head to Ascot for Champions Day. The 2026 edition has five Group 1 races scheduled throughout the day, headlined by the Champion Stakes.
Isle of Wight racing enthusiasts will be keeping a close eye on neighbouring Hampshire-based trainer Andrew Balding, who will be looking to stretch his lead over Aidan O’Brien in the race for the British Trainers’ Championship. The award goes to the individual who amasses the most prize-money throughout the year and, with a prize fund of £4.35m to be won across seven races, Champions Day’s reputation as the richest raceday in the country has the potential to swing the championship battle.
Balding does not have a runner in the most lucrative race of the day, the Champion Stakes, but does have a total of five entries for other races on Saturday. Here’s who to watch out for throughout the day.
Kalpana is the favourite in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes
Balding’s best hope of a win on the day is in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, where Kalpana leads all 15 entries in the betting odds. The five-year-old is the favourite at 6/4, coming into the race with impressive form in 2026.
Kalpana won over the same distance at Ascot in July, finishing one and a half lengths ahead of Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Her history at the course and status as the favourite have resulted in heightened interest in betting markets, particularly with offers like a Betfred promo code available heading into Champions Day.
However, it is not the Hampshire trainer’s only entry into the Fillies & Mares Stakes, as See The Fire also contends for victory. At 16/1, though, her odds are considerably longer.
Can Mount Atlas and Marvelman be unlikely winners?
Earlier in the day, Balding has two other entries that he hopes can upset the odds. Mount Atlas has been entered for the Long Distance Cup, a two-mile right-handed event which will test endurance.
However, Mount Atlas is only 25/1 to win, despite finishing no lower than third in his last five races. O’Brien’s entry, Scandinavia, is expected to be too strong after winning the Gold Cup at the same course in June.
Another of Balding’s runners, Marvelman, is also considered to be a long shot in the British Champions Sprint Stakes later on. At 33/1, he is some way behind the favourite, Almeraq, who has won three of his four races in 2026.
Mister Winston is Balding’s final hope in the Balmoral Handicap
Champions Day concludes with the Balmoral Handicap, where a maximum of 20 runners – whittled down from 54 entries – will compete in the one-mile contest. Balding’s sole entry, Mister Winston, is awaiting final declaration confirmation, but could represent the trainer’s last chance of victory on the day.
The four-year-old has been out of form in 2026, most recently finishing sixth over the same distance at Haydock in September. At 50/1, he is not seen as a threat to the likes of Scoville and Gavriel, priced at 7/1 and 8/1 respectively – but perhaps a surprise is in store for the climax of British Champions Day.
