It has been an exhilarating Flat season in horse racing and the campaign is not over yet. Many fans of the sport will be making the trip across from the Isle of Wight to Ascot on the 15th of October for British Champions Day.
The meeting in October is unofficially the end of the season championship in Flat racing. There is a major prize on offer in each of the respective divisions. Here is what there is to look forward to.
Champion Stakes
The Champion Stakes is expected to be Baaeed’s last appearance on a racecourse in his career, so there is extra importance on the prestigious contest this year. William Haggas’ runner goes into it with an unbeaten record, and he is odds-on at 1/3 to maintain that in the Group One race.
It’s official – Baaeed is an ✈️
What a performance from the unbeaten William Haggas-trained son of Sea The Stars – just how good could this one be? 😍#GloriousGoodwood #QGF pic.twitter.com/9Y53ez96tp
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2021
As the highest-rated horse in the world rankings, Baaeed is sure to be one of the popular horse racing tips for Champions Day. Horse racing fans will be desperate to see the four-year-old race for the last time.
French Oaks and Eclipse Stakes winner Vadeni is likely to lead the challenge against the superstar. She is set to be joined in the race by Mishriff, former Derby winner Adayar and Bay Bridge in what will be a strong field.
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
Inspiral is the star attraction in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes this year. The talented filly has won the Coronation Stakes and Prix Jacques le Marois this season, two of the biggest 1m races on the Flat calendar.
The one-time Oaks favourite has an impressive record of six wins from seven starts. Her only defeat came in Falmouth Stakes where she failed to match what she produced at Royal Ascot and had to settle for second place behind Prosperous Voyage.
Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Homeless Songs is also expected to feature in his 1m contest, in what could prove to be a brilliant clash between the two leading fillies in the division.
Long Distance Cup
Kyprios will be bidding to add the Long Distance Cup to the Ascot Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup prizes he has won this season. Aidan O’Brien’s runner has emerged as the new star of this division this year.
What a race! Kyprios wins the Gold Cup for Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien! 🏆#RoyalAscot @Ascot pic.twitter.com/tRuwuj4Ifw
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 16, 2022
Stradivarius and Trueshan have both run the Irish horse close in the campaign and they are set to challenge their younger rival again. The latter won this race in 2021 so he will be bidding to score in back-to-back years on British Champions Day.
Champion Sprint Stakes
The leading sprinters in Europe will be in action in the Champion Sprint Stakes, including Nunthorpe winner Highfield Princess. She will battle July Cup winner Alcohol Free in the 6f race.
The field for this contest is also likely to include Platinum Jubilee Stakes winner Naval Crown and Perfect Power, the three-year-old who prevailed in the Commonwealth Cup at the royal meeting back in June.
If you are making the trip to Ascot, have a great time. If not, all the action can be followed on television in what is set to be a fantastic afternoon of racing.
