British Champions Day: The Ultimate Finale of the Flat Racing Season at Ascot

The British Flat racing season finale awaits us on Saturday when British Champions Day in Ascot is on the agenda.

The best horses, trainers and jockeys will gather at the iconic Ascot for a place among British and European horse racing legends. As much as £4.1 million is up for grabs, making it one of Britain's most valuable one-day races.

History of British Champions Day

British Champions Day was created by combining the great races at Ascot and Newmarket. The races held at the end of the season were combined into one spectacular day.

Thus, British Champions Day brought together races such as the Diadem Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes from Ascot, and Newmarket's Champion Stakes, Jockey Club Cup and Pride Stakes.

British Champions Day is today, the ultimate race day and the finale of the British flat racing season. It gathers the best horses, trainers, and jockeys.

Record prize amount

With £4.1 million prize money and guaranteed world-class racing, British Champions Day, named for sponsorship reasons QIPCO British Champions Day, is an event you cannot miss, whether you are live on the track or watching from home.

Racing is not the only part of this spectacle. There are numerous interesting events for adults and children, a DJ set by Hot Chip, and an opportunity for ladies to show off the fashion details that make the day special.

Whether you are a racing guru, just like racing, betting, or simply enjoy a fun day out with friends, you will definitely remember British Champions Day.

British Champions Day Races?

Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup

The Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup will open the day. Although it is a Group 2 race, the winner will take home £255,195, and as many as four Gold Cup winners have confirmed their participation.

This race was marked by Further Flight, who won five times from 1991 to 1995.

An exciting duel was announced between Kyprios and Trawlerman, who have already met twice.

Twelve months ago, Kyprios was back to defend his title. But he was reeled back in late on by Trawlerman when the general feeling was that Moore had committed too soon whilst Dettori waited and repassed his rival late on to win by a neck.

In the rematch at Royal Ascot this season, Kyprios gained his revenge, but only by a length.

The race is two miles long.

Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes

Thirty-five minutes after the first race, we have the Group 1 Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes.

It is the first of four consecutive Group 1 races, marking the pinnacle of class. It will bring together some of the fastest horses in Europe.

The 2022 winner, Kinross, did not manage to defend his title last year, as he was beaten by Art Power in a thrilling finish.

Seven-year-old Kinross is again at the top of the favourites, although no 7+ year-old horse has won this race.

Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes

Most TOP female horses will compete over one and a half miles.

Poptronic surprised 12 months ago, beating the favourite Bluestocking, ending the three-year-old winning streak.

Renowned trainer Aidan O'Brien and the Gosden stable have won five of their last eight races, and his Content is the favourite according to the bookmakers. He won the Yorkshire Oaks.

O'Brien will have five horses in this race, and along with Content and Grateful, he is highly rated ahead of Saturday's spectacle.

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes

The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes has a tradition of almost 70 years and has had Group 1 status since 1997.

It is held at the classic one-mile distance.

Favourites often win this prestigious race, where the winner takes home over £650,000!

Last year, the winner was Christopher Head's Big Rock on the testing ground.

This year, the French 2000 Guineas winner Metropolitan was announced. French-born trainer David Menuisier arrives with Tamfan, who ran out as a ready winner of the Sun Chariot Stakes.

Third place in the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood Facteur Cheval enters the race as one of the favourites. Roger Varian's Charyn, winner of the Queen Anne Stakes at Ascot in June, believes he can win here too.

Qipco Champion Stakes

This is the highlight and central event of the day. With a prize fund of over a million pounds, this is Europe's most valuable mile-and-a-quarter race and has a famous roll call of winners.

Marked by Frankel, considered one of the best racehorses of all time, who won the now legendary race in 2012 and finished his career with 14 wins in 14 races.

The legendary Frank Dettori marked last year's British Champions Day. Surprisingly, he took the King Of Steel to victory, but last year's winner won't be there due to the draw.

The French have traditionally performed well in the Champions Stakes, and their big hope this year is Calandagan after winning this season's King Edwards VII Stakes at Ascot.

It is also known that French trainers prepare their best horses for the autumn campaign, so Calandagan also had a break between his performance at Royal Ascot and his second place in York.

Balmoral Handicap

British Champions Day will conclude the Balmoral Handicap Class 2 race, which was won last year by Age 4 The Gatekeeper.

This year, the three-year-old Qirat and Thunder Run and the four-year-old Daysofourlives and State Actor stand out as the main favourites in a race in which as many as 42 horses have been registered, but we have yet to see the final entry list.