RACING S BIG FINALE SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER 2017 ASCOT RACECOURSE MEDIA GUIDE

Transcription

1 RACING S BIG FINALE SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER 2017 ASCOT RACECOURSE MEDIA GUIDE

2 CONTENTS 04 QIPCO British Champions Day Race Day Programme 51 Series Ambassadors 05 Race Day Itinerary 06 QIPCO British Champions Series Facts and Figures 07 QIPCO British Champions Series Quotes 08 Six Super Finishes 09 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 2) 52 Background to the QIPCO British Champions Series and QIPCO British Champions Day 52 Structure of the QIPCO British Champions Series 53 Title Partner QIPCO Holding 54 Ticket and Travel Information 55 Contact List and Media Accreditation 14 QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes (Group 1) 20 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1) 25 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Group 1) 31 QIPCO Champion Stakes (Group 1) 38 Balmoral Handicap 40 Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship 44 Stobart Apprentice Championship 46 Leading Riders at QIPCO British Champions Day 47 Ryan Moore Profile 48 Leading Trainers at QIPCO British Champions Day 49 Aidan O Brien Profile 50 Champion Owner PAGE 03

3 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY 2017 ITINERARY SATURDAY 21ST OCTOBER ASCOT RACECOURSE RACE DAY PROGRAMME Gates Open Racecourse tours for kids begin starting in the Fanzone QIPCO British Champions Day Merchandise giveaway (Parade Ring) Opening Ceremony, featuring live performance by Laura Wright (Parade Ring) Parade of Champion Jockeys (Parade Ring) First Race QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup 10.30AM GATES OPEN Legendary Champion Jockey Autograph Signing (Legends Stage, Trackside Lawn) 13:25PM 464,500 - QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP (GROUP 2) 2 MILES (ROUND COURSE) 14:00PM 600,000 - QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SPRINT STAKES (GROUP 1) 6 FURLONGS (STRAIGHT COURSE) 14:40PM 627,500 - QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS FILLIES & MARES STAKES (GROUP 1) 1 MILE AND 4 FURLONGS (ROUND COURSE) 15:15PM 1,100,000 - THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES (SPONSORED BY QIPCO) (GROUP 1) 1 MILE (STRAIGHT COURSE) 15:50PM 1,300,000 - QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES (GROUP 1) 1 MILE AND 2 FURLONGS (ROUND COURSE) 16:30PM 250,000 - THE BALMORAL HANDICAP (SPONSORED BY QIPCO) 1 MILE (STRAIGHT COURSE) Second Race QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes Crowning of the Stobart Champion Jockey (Parade Ring) Third Race QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes Legendary Sportsman Autograph Signing (Legends Stage, Trackside Lawn) Fourth Race Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Crowning of the Champion Owner (Parade Ring) Fifth Race The QIPCO Champion Stakes Draw to Win a VW Polo Beats* (Parade Ring) *For a year Terms & Conditions at britishchampionsseries.com BH Sixth Race The Balmoral Handicap After Party, headlined by George Ezra begins (Grandstand Lawn Marquee) DON T MISS From The Fanzone: Featuring behind the scenes tours of Ascot, Meet the Racehorse, Jockey School and a chance to see all the equipment used in racing. (Old Paddock Lawns) Gods of Sport Exhibition: A stunning collection of iconic sporting photographs spanning five decades, featuring legends such as Muhammed Ali, Lester Piggott, Ayrton Senna, Sir Henry Cecil and Seve Ballesteros. (Stewards House Lawn) The Alpine Bar: A new bar for 2017 on the trackside lawns, offering a raised platform from which to view the racing, drinks, music and a selection of food offerings. (Trackside Lawns) *All timings subject to change PAGE 04 PAGE 05

4 4.3M TOTAL PRIZE MONEY FACTS AND FIGURES OF QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES 2017 SERIES WINS ALREADY FOR RYAN MOORE RUNNERS SO FAR 12 FROM FRANCE 2 FROM GERMANY SHORTEST WINNING MARGIN A NOSE RECORDED BY ULYSSES IN THE CORAL-ECLIPSE 62 FROM IRELAND 7 FROM USA 1 FROM ARGENTINA W I N N I N G M A R G I N : FIVE LENGTHS, RECORDED BY ENABLE BIGGEST IN THE INVESTEC OAKS & DARLEY YORKSHIRE OAKS BIGG ST PRIC WINN R WINGS OF EAGLES 40/1 IN THE INVESTEC DERBY SERIES WINS THIS YEAR ALREADY FOR AIDAN O BRIEN MOST VALUABLE Queen Elizabeth II Stakes BALMORAL HANDICAP MOST VALUABLE EUROPEAN HANDICAP OVER A MILE RECORD 450,000 for the QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP MOST VALUABLE EUROPEAN GROUP 1 (QIPCO Champion Stakes) OVER 1M2F EUROPEAN 1MGROUP 1 QUOTES OF THE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES 2017 THEY SAID WHAT? QUOTES FROM THIS YEAR S QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES Desert Skyline is not a great specimen he s a lightly framed whippet of a horse but it s not the size of the dog that fights, it s the size of the fight in the dog. David Elsworth talks about Desert Skyline before the gelding s success in the Doncaster Cup. He never showed any softness in his life. He s been travelling since 4am this morning and has only been here an hour. He didn t have a lot of time to do anything he had his piddle, got washed off and then came into the paddock. Aidan O Brien after Highland Reel had overcome an eventful journey to Epsom to win the Investec Coronation Cup. I wasn t sure and when I saw Frankie put his arm up, I was gutted as I thought he had won, then someone said congratulations to me and it turned into jubilation. Despair turns to joy for Luke Morris, aboard Marsha, in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes. I m in shock, I thought I d won a neck. Frankie Dettori after he had celebrated winning the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes on Lady Aurelia. The photo finish revealed he had been beaten a nose by Marsha. It means you have to win it again, really. Ryan Moore on being asked what it was like to win the William Hill St Leger for the first time, with the help of Capri. I m a believer in A proper champion can win on any ground, but he s so fast I was a little bit concerned. He s a machine. He s got speed to burn and that s not how good he is. He s there now mentally and he ll keep on getting better. Adam Kirby says the best is still to come from Harry Angel after a four- length win in the 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock. We have been a bit thin on the ground with runners this year, but it doesn t matter when you have a horse like The Tin Man to get you out of jail. James Fanshawe after the success of The Tin Man in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. In the closing stages I was praying for the winning post, saying, Inshallah, please God, any religious thing I could think of to make the winning post come, and it did. Michael Bell on how he willed Big Orange to a short-head victory in the Gold Cup. It s over. Andre Fabre when asked for his thoughts on Al Wukair s staying-on third in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas. He was not inclined to expand. I don t get to sit on many beasts like this at the races, so I m going to enjoy it. I d nearly given up on the big days, but Aidan O Brien has made it happen. It s happy days. Padraig Beggy reflects on scooping the Investec Derby aboard Wings Of Eagles at I lost 7lb in six days, but it was worth it. She is a superstar - as good as I ve ridden. She is the real deal and I love her so much. I ll have a big dinner tonight, that s for sure. Frankie Dettori reveals how he got down to 8st 7lb to ride Enable in the QIPCOsponsored King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and explains why it was worth it. Pace, courage, tactical speed, he has everything. He has passed every test that you would want a thoroughbred to go through. His first Group race was as a two-year-old and we have toured the world with him since then. Aidan O Brien sings the praises of Highland Reel after his win in the Prince of Wales s Stakes. PAGE 06 PAGE 07

5 SIX SUPER FINISHES IN THE 2017 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPION SERIES There has been plenty of drama and tight finishes in this year s QIPCO British Champions Series. Here are some of the best: MAY 19: YORK - BETWAY YORKSHIRE CUP The first race in the Long Distance category of this year s Series could not have been any more exciting with about a length covering the first five home. Dartmouth, owned by Her Majesty The Queen, prevailed by a neck from Simple Verse - the pair separated by the width of the track just to make it even trickier to initially establish who had snatched the honours. High Jinx, having his first run for two years, was another head further back, with Endless Time another head behind him. AUGUST 25: YORK - THE WEATHERBYS HAMILTON LONSDALE CUP A rousing finish, with Montaly, having his first run in a QIPCO British Champions Series race, getting his head in front right on the line under an exultant PJ McDonald. Montaly touched off Dartmouth, who had won the Betway Yorkshire Cup by a neck at York earlier in the year. JUNE 24: ROYAL ASCOT - DIAMOND JUBILEE STAKES The Tin Man quickened up smartly to edge out Tasleet, with Limato, squeezed by the pair late on, another three quarters of a length behind in third. There was a lengthy stewards enquiry into the incident near the end but the result was allowed to stand. JUNE 22: ROYAL ASCOT - GOLD CUP Any shortlist for the most exciting Champions Series races of the year would have to include this epic clash which made for compelling viewing for 4min 22sec - longer if you count the number of times replays were shown as the judge tried to determine whether front-running Big Orange had won, or if Order Of St George, defending his crown, had caught him in the final strides. The print showed the courageous Big Orange had triumphed by a short head; the pair six lengths clear of Ladbrokes St Leger victor Harbour Law. AUGUST 25: YORK - COOLMORE NUNTHORPE STAKES Lady Aurelia, the favourite, showed her customary dash and looked the winner virtually all the way. Indeed, crossing the line, Frankie Dettori, her jockey, was certain she had won - saluting the crowd and placing a finger on his lips. However, it was Marsha, owned by the 10,000 members of the Elite Racing Club, who had prevailed by a whisker. JULY 8: SANDOWN - CORAL-ECLIPSE The most incident-packed Coral-Eclipse ever? Three jockeys ended up in hot water with the stewards, the winning trainer was fined 1,000 for his horse entering the parade ring late and Eminent, who finished fifth, tried to bite Decorated Knight, who was sixth. Meanwhile, Ulysses and Barney Roy flashed past the post as one - the former clinging on by a nose as Barney Roy closed on him all the way to the line. 1:25PM QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP (GROUP 2) Total prize money 464,500 Prize money breakdown: 1st: 263,417-2nd: 99,867 3rd: 49,980-4th: 24,897-5th: 12,495-6th: 6,270 2m (3200m) Round Course 3yo+ No Penalties Maximum Field 14 Contingency Inner Flat Course distance - 1m7f127yds Declare 10am Thursday 19th October LAST YEAR S WINNER: SHEIKHZAYEDROAD David Simcock sent out a third QIPCO British Champions Day winner as the mercurial Sheikhzayedroad followed up his previous success in the Doncaster Cup under Martin Harley. We all know he has his quirks, but he sticks his neck out and loves his racing said Simcock. Sheikhzayedroad returns to bid for a repeat success this year having performed with credit in no less than four 2017 QIPCO British Champions Series events. CONTENDERS THIS YEAR INCLUDE BIG ORANGE Took a starring role in one of the sport s most iconic moments this year when holding off Order Of St George after a gripping head-to-head in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. Undoubtedly one of the most popular horses in training, his gungho attitude has won numerous admirers, having most recently once again given his all when going down to Stradivarius in the Qatar Goodwood Cup. One of the stars of the QIPCO British Champions Day show. ORDER OF ST GEORGE Only fourth when odds-on in this contest 12 months ago but probably wasn t at his best less than a fortnight after heroic third in Qatar Prix de l Arc de Triomphe. Needs to reverse Gold Cup form with Big Orange here, but that s far from impossible and another solid fourth in this year s Arc confirms that the Comer Group International Irish St Leger winner remains in good form. Can he set the record straight this year? STRADIVARIUS Progressive youngster ready to shake up the old guard in the top staying contests having justified support to win the Queen s Vase at Royal Ascot before finding further improvement for another step up in trip when felling Big Orange in the Qatar Goodwood Cup. Narrowly beaten in a three-way photo in the William Hill St Leger at Doncaster afterwards, but may just have been in front soon enough and remains capable of further improvement. PAGE 08 PAGE 09

6 FIVE-DAY ENTRIES FOR QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP Entries on 16th October IN THE LONG DISTANCE DIVISION: HORSE AGE TRAINER OWNER Big Orange (GB) 6 Michael Bell W. J. and T. C. O. Gredley Cap'n (IRE) 6 Brendan Powell Dr Marisa Viegas Clever Cookie (GB) 9 Peter Niven Mr P. D. Niven Dal Harraild (GB) 4 William Haggas St Albans Bloodstock Limited Dartmouth (GB) 5 Sir Michael Stoute The Queen Duretto (GB) 5 Andrew Balding Lord Blyth BETWAY YORKSHIRE CUP 1M6F 4YO+ 8 RAN SOFT 13TH MAY YORK 1st Dartmouth Sir M Stoute R Moore 11/4f 2nd Simple Verse R Beckett O Murphy 13/2 3rd High Jinx T Easterby D Allan 40/1 4th Endless Time C Appleby W Buick 5/1 5th Marmelo H Morrison A Atzeni 5/1 6th Clever Cookie P Niven D Tudhope 10/1 7th Muntahaa J Gosden J Crowley 9/2 8th Crimean Tatar H Palmer J Mitchell 9/1 Idaho (IRE) 4 Aidan O'Brien Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Montaly (GB) 6 Andrew Balding Farleigh Racing Nearly Caught (IRE) 7 Hughie Morrison Mr A. N. Solomons Order of St George (IRE) 5 Aidan O'Brien M.Tabor,D.Smith,MrsJ Magnier,L Williams GOLD CUP 2M4F 4YO+ 14 RAN GOOD TO FIRM 22ND JUNE ASCOT 1st Big Orange M Bell J Doyle 5/1 2nd Order Of St George A O Brien R Moore 5/6f 3rd Harbour Law L Mongan J Crowley 33/1 4th She Is No Lady R Beckett F Berry 50/1 5th Torcedor J Harrington C O Donoghue 20/1 Renneti (FR) 8 W. P. Mullins Mrs S. Ricci Sheikhzayedroad (GB) 8 David Simcock Mr Mohammed Jaber Stars Over The Sea (USA) 6 Henry de Bromhead Mr R. S. Brookhouse Torcedor (IRE) 5 Mrs J. Harrington Te Akau Torcedor(Mngr David Ellis) Seventh Heaven (IRE) 4 Aidan O'Brien Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor 6th Sheikhzayedroad D Simcock M Harley 10/1 7th Sweet Selection H Morrison S De Sousa 14/1 8th Prince Of Arran C Fellowes T Queally 66/1 9th Nearly Caught H Morrison A Kirby 66/1 10th Endless Time C Appleby W Buick 20/1 11th Harrison M Channon G Lee 66/1 12th Quest For More R Charlton J Spencer 25/1 13th Trip To Paris E Dunlop A Atzeni 50/1 Desert Skyline (IRE) 3 David Elsworth C Benham/ D Whitford/ L Quinn/ K Quinn 14th Simple Verse R Beckett O Murphy 15/2 Mount Moriah (GB) 3 Ralph Beckett Mr Norman Brunskill Stradivarius (IRE) 3 John Gosden Mr B. E. Nielsen Uae King (GB) 3 Roger Varian Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum PAGE 10 PAGE 11

7 QATAR GOODWOOD CUP 2M 3YO+ GOOD (GOOD TO SOFT) 1ST AUGUST GOODWOOD 1st Stradivarius J Gosden A Atzeni 6/1 2nd Big Orange M Bell L Dettori 6/4f 3rd Desert Skyline D Elsworth D Probert 14/1 4th Wicklow Brave W Mullins J Crowley 8/1 5th She Is No Lady R Beckett J Doyle 33/1 6th Pallasator Sir M Prescott O Murphy 25/1 7th Sheikhzayedroad D Simcock M Harley 10/1 8th US Army Ranger A O Brien R Moore 8/1 9th Sweet Selection H Morrison A Kirby 33/1 WILLIAM HILL ST LEGER 1M6F+ GOOD TO SOFT 16TH SEPTEMBER DONCASTER 1st Capri A O Brien R Moore 3/1f 2nd Crystal Ocean Sir M Stoute J Crowley 5/1 3rd Stradivarius J Gosden J Doyle 9/2 4th Rekindling J O Brien D O Brien 10/1 5th Coronet J Gosden L Dettori 8/1 6th Count Octave A Balding O Murphy 20/1 7th Raheen House B Meehan A Kirby 14/1 8th Venice Beach A O Brien S Heffernan 12/1 9th Douglas Macarthur A O Brien E McNamara 33/1 10th Prince Of Arran C Fellowes S Donohoe 33/1 11th Higher Power J Fanshawe T Queally 20/1 12th High Jinx T Easterby D Allan 66/1 13th Qewy C Appleby W Buick 16/1 14th Oriental Fox M Johnston J Fanning 50/1 PAST WINNERS OF THE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP (GROUP 2) YEAR RATING HORSE JOCKEY TRAINER WEATHERBYS HAMILTON LONSDALE CUP 2M 3YO+ GOOD 25TH AUGUST YORK 1st Montaly A Balding P J McDonald 16/1 2nd Dartmouth Sir M Stoute R Moore 11/4f 3rd St Michel Sir M Prescott L Morris 14/1 4th Sheikhzayedroad D Simcock M Harley 15/2 5th High Jinx T Easterby D Allan 33/ Fame And Glory Jamie Spencer Aidan O Brien Rite of Passage Pat Smullen Dermot Weld Royal Diamond Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh Forgotten Rules Pat Smullen Dermot Weld Flying Officer Frankie Dettori John Gosden Sheikhzayedroad Martin Harley David Simcock 6th Dal Harraild W Haggas P Cosgrave 7/2 7th Thomas Hobson W Mullins J Crowley 4/1 8th Prince Of Arran C Fellowes S Donohoe 25/1 9th Higher Power J Fanshawe J Doyle 7/1 DONCASTER CUP 2M2F 3YO+ GOOD TO SOFT 15TH SEPTEMBER DONCASTER 1st Desert Skyline D Elsworth S De Sousa 2/1f 2nd Thomas Hobson W Mullins R Moore 4/1 3rd Sheikhzayedroad D Simcock M Harley 5/1 4th Clever Cookie P Niven G Lee 33/1 5th High Jinx T Easterby D Allan 20/1 6th Montaly A Balding O Murphy 15/2 HISTORY OF THE RACE Established in 1873 as the Jockey Club Cup, this race was run at Newmarket until 2011, when it was moved to Ascot and renamed the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup. The seven races in the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance category vary in distance from the mile and six furlongs (2,800m) of York s Betway Yorkshire Cup to the two and a half miles (4,000 metres) of the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. The intermediate two-mile trip of the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup therefore provides the perfect distance for the category finale. Having been dominated by Irish challengers in its first four years, John Gosden and Frankie Dettori recorded their first QIPCO British Champions Day success with Flying Officer in A thrilling four horse photo-finish in 2016 saw Sheikhzayedroad defeat Group 1 winners Quest For More, Simple Verse and Order Of St George to provide David Simcock with his third QIPCO British Champions Day victory. 7th She Is No Lady R Beckett J Doyle 7/1 8th Pallasator Sir M Prescott R Jessop 16/1 9th Fun Mac H Morrison A Kirby 22/1 PAGE 12 PAGE 13

8 2:00PM QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SPRINT STAKES (GROUP 1) Total prize money 600,000 Prize money breakdown: 1st 340,260-2nd 129,000 3rd 64,560-4th 32,160-5th 16,140-6th 8,100 6f (1200 metres) Straight Course 3yo+ Maximum Field 20 Declare 10am Thursday 19th October FIVE-DAY ENTRIES FOR QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SPRINT STAKES Entries on 16th October 2017 HORSE AGE TRAINER OWNER Brando (GB) 5 Kevin Ryan Mrs Angie Bailey LAST YEAR S WINNER: THE TIN MAN Claiming his first Group 1, The Tin Man improved upon his fourth in the same race 12 months previously, in the process emulating his half-brother Deacon Blues who won the same contest in The Tin Man has already tasted QIPCO British Champions Series success again this season in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and finished third to Harry Angel in the 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock on his most recent start. Can he rise to the big occasion at Ascot again? Cougar Mountain (IRE) 6 Aidan O'Brien M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs Magnier/Mrs O'Brien Danzeno (GB) 6 Michael Appleby Mr A. M. Wragg Donjuan Triumphant (IRE) 4 Andrew Balding King Power Racing Co Ltd CONTENDERS THIS YEAR INCLUDE CARAVAGGIO Placed high on a pedestal by connections since winning last year s Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in blistering fashion and lived up to expectations with a powerful display in the Commonwealth Cup here in June. Things have not gone quite so smoothly since in two defeats, but latest victory at The Curragh was more like it and may be happier at this six-furlong trip in any case. Fascinating contender. QUIET REFLECTION Outstanding sprinting filly last season, winning QIPCO British Champion Series prizes at Royal Ascot and Haydock. Probably over the top when beaten in this contest 12 months ago, but comes here far fresher this year. Sidelined after disappointing reappearance this year in Haydock s Armstrong Aggregates Temple Stakes, but returned from four months off with an emphatic display in a Naas Group Three last month. Soft ground holds no fears. HARRY ANGEL Bought by Godolphin after winning a Group 2 at Haydock in May before making Caravaggio work all the way for victory at Royal Ascot. That form was reversed, though, when Harry Angel took the first of two QIPCO British Champions Series successes in the Darley July Cup before emphatically following up in testing conditions in the 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock. Victory here would cement his status as champion sprinter. Librisa Breeze (GB) 5 Dean Ivory Mr Tony Bloom Tasleet (GB) 4 William Haggas Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum The Tin Man (GB) 5 James Fanshawe Fred Archer Racing - Ormonde Tupi (IRE) 5 Richard Hannon Michael Kerr-Dineen & Martin Hughes Washington DC (IRE) 4 Aidan O'Brien Caravaggio (USA) 3 Aidan O'Brien Harry Angel (IRE) 3 Clive Cox Godolphin Intelligence Cross (USA) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Quiet Reflection (GB) 4 K. R. Burke Ontoawinner, Strecker & Burke Alphabet (GB) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith PAGE 14 PAGE 15

9 2017 IN THE SPRINT DIVISION: 2017 IN THE SPRINT DIVISION: KING S STAND STAKES 5F 3YO+ GOOD TO FIRM 20TH JUNE ASCOT 1st Lady Aurelia W Ward J Velazquez 7/2 2nd Profitable C Cox J Doyle 14/1 3rd Marsha Sir M Prescott L Morris 11/4f 4th Muthmir W Haggas J Crowley 16/1 5th Take Cover D Griffiths D Allan 66/1 6th Alpha Delphini B Smart C Beasley 20/1 7th Cotai Glory C Hills S De Sousa 28/1 8th Signs Of Blessing F Rohaut S Pasquier 5/1 9th Final Venture P Midgley P Dobbs 40/1 10th Goldream R Cowell M Harley 12/1 11th Ardhoomey G Lyons C Keane 20/1 12th Priceless C Cox A Kirby 11/1 13th Willytheconqueror W Muir M Dwyer 125/1 14th Gracious John D Evans J Egan 80/1 15th Washington DC A O Brien R Moore 8/1 16th Medicean Man J Gask A Atzeni 66/1 17th Just Glamourous R Harris S Kelly 100/1 DIAMOND JUBILEE STAKES 6F 4YO+ GOOD TO FIRM (FIRM) 24TH JUNE ASCOT 1st The Tin Man J Fanshawe T Queally 9/2 2nd Tasleet W Haggas J Crowley 7/1 3rd Limato H Candy R Moore 2/1f 4th Librisa Breeze D Ivory R Winston 11/1 5th Finsbury Square F Chappet O Peslier 40/1 6th Tupi R Hannon S Levey 66/1 7th Suedois D O Meara D Tudhope 25/1 8th Aclaim M Meade J Spencer 25/1 9th Al Jazi F Rohaut G Benoist 33/1 10th Kachy T Dascombe R Kingscote 33/1 11th The Right Man D Guillemin F-X Bertras 14/1 12th Long On Value W Mott J Rosario 14/1 13th Comicas C Appleby W Buick 33/1 14th Dancing Star A Balding D Probert 25/1 15th Windfast B Meehan S De Sousa 66/1 16th Mobsta M Channon P Smullen 100/1 17th Kassia M Channon G Lee 100/1 18th Magical Memory C Hills J Doyle 8/1 COMMONWEALTH CUP 6F 3YO GOOD TO FIRM 23RD JUNE ASCOT UR Growl R Fahey P Hanagan 40/1 1st Caravaggio A O Brien R Moore 5/6f 2nd Harry Angel C Cox A Kirby 11/4 3rd Blue Point C Appleby W Buick 9/2 4th Bound For Nowhere W Ward D Flores 10/1 5th Mr Scarlet S Lavery P Smullen 80/1 6th Tis Marvellous C Cox G Mosse 33/1 7th Straight Right C Ferland O Peslier 66/1 8th Visionary R Cowell J Spencer 50/1 9th Intelligence Cross A O Brien S Heffernan 25/1 10th Legendary Lunch R Hannon T Marquand 50/1 11th Victory Angel R Varian S De Sousa 66/1 12th Yalta M Johnston J Doyle 50/1 DARLEY JULY CUP 6F 3YO+ GOOD TO FIRM 15TH JULY NEWMARKET 1st Harry Angel C Cox A Kirby 9/2 2nd Limato H Candy H Bentley 4/1 3rd Brando K Ryan T Eaves 28/1 4th Caravaggio A O Brien R Moore 10/11f 5th Intelligence Cross A O Brien P Beggy 100/1 6th Growl R Fahey P Hanagan 50/1 7th Intisaab D O Meara W Buick 66/1 8th The Tin Man J Fanshawe T Queally 7/1 9th Mr Lupton R Fahey J Spencer 66/1 10th Tasleet W Haggas J Crowley 9/1 PAGE 16 PAGE 17

10 COOLMORE NUNTHORPE STAKES 5F 2YO+ GOOD 25TH AUGUST YORK 1st Marsha Sir M Prescott L Morris 8/1 2nd Lady Aurelia W Ward L Dettori 10/11f 3rd Cotai Glory C Hills S De Sousa 50/1 4th Battaash C Hills J Crowley 11/4 5th Priceless C Cox A Kirby 33/1 PAST WINNERS OF THE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SPRINT STAKES (GROUP 1) YEAR RATING HORSE JOCKEY TRAINER Deacon Blues Johnny Murtagh James Fanshawe Maarek Jamie Spencer David Peter Nagle 6th Profitable C Cox J Doyle 8/1 7th Final Venture P Midgley P Mulrennan 40/ Slade Power Wayne Lordan Edward Lynam 8th Alpha Delphini B Smart G Lee 50/ Gordon Lord Byron Wayne Lordan Tom Hogan 9th Goldream R Cowell M Harley 66/1 10th Washington DC A O Brien R Moore 20/ Muhaarar Paul Hanagan Charles Hills 11th Take Cover D Griffiths D Allan 25/ The Tin Man Tom Queally James Fanshawe 32RED SPRINT CUP 6F 3YO+ HEAVY 9TH SEPTEMBER HAYDOCK PARK 1st Harry Angel C Cox A Kirby 2/1f 2nd Tasleet W Haggas J Crowley 9/2 3rd The Tin Man J Fanshawe T Queally 11/2 4th Blue Point C Appleby J Doyle 15/2 5th Cougar Mountain A O Brien B Curtis 40/1 6th Mr Lupton R Fahey R Kingscote 50/1 7th Growl R Fahey G Lee 25/1 8th Kimberella R Fahey P Mulrennan 40/1 9th Brando K Ryan T Eaves 5/1 HISTORY OF THE RACE The event was established in 1946, and it was originally called the Diadem Stakes. It was named after Diadem (foaled 1914), a winner of several of Ascot s leading races. The race was given its present name in 2011 when it became part of the newly created QIPCO British Champions Day, and its purse was increased to 250,000 from 100,000. In 2015, the QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes was upgraded from Group 2 to Group 1 status and, in response to its enhanced prestige, the race s value was boosted from 350,000 to 600,000 establishing it as Europe s joint-most valuable sprint. This six-furlong (1,200 metres) contest provides the grand finale to the seven-race QIPCO British Champions Sprint division. There are three Series races run over five furlongs (1,000 metres) and four, including today s contest, over six furlongs. Many sprinters tend to specialise over one of these distances, but the true greats have the versatility to excel over both trips. Having won the first running under its current guise in 2011 with Deacon Blues, Newmarket trainer James Fanshawe won the race for a second time in 2016 with the The Tin Man, ridden by Tom Queally. 10th Queen Kindly R Fahey P Hanagan 33/1 11th Magical Memory C Hills S De Sousa 12/1 PAGE 18 PAGE 19

11 2:40PM QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS FILLIES & MARES STAKES (GROUP 1) Total prize money 627,500 Prize money breakdown: 1st 355,855-2nd 134,912 3rd 67,519-4th 33,634-5th 16,879-6th 8,471 1m4f (2400 metres) Round Course 3yo+ Fillies & Mares Maximum Field 16 Contingency Inner Flat Course distance - 1m3f133yds Declare 10am Thursday 19th October FIVE-DAY ENTRIES FOR QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS FILLIES & MARES STAKES Entries on 16th October 2017 HORSE AGE TRAINER OWNER Alyssa (GB) 4 Ralph Beckett Miss K. Rausing Bateel (IRE) 5 Francis-Henri Graffard Al Asayl Bloodstock Ltd LAST YEAR S WINNER: JOURNEY Frankie Dettori treated the appreciative crowd to one of his famous flying dismounts after steering John Gosden s filly into first place. Second in the same race 12 months earlier, Journey travelled with ease and held off the high-class Speedy Boarding close home. She picked up like she had rollerskates on, beamed Dettori. Back for another attempt at this year s race, she produced a timely return to form when second in France last time. Journey (GB) 5 John Gosden Mr George Strawbridge Left Hand (GB) 4 C. Laffon-Parias Wertheimer et Frere Mountain Bell (GB) 4 Ralph Beckett Qatar Racing Limited CONTENDERS THIS YEAR INCLUDE CORONET Progressive profile saw her step up from fifth in the Investec Oaks to take the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot and consistent efforts in high-class company since, including when staying on for a clear second behind stablemate and old rival Enable in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks. Unable to sustain her effort when fifth in the William Hill St Leger on her latest start, having possibly failed to see out the trip, but her chance must be respected here back at the scene of her biggest victory. Seventh Heaven (IRE) 4 Aidan O'Brien Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Smart Call (SAF) 6 Sir Michael Stoute Miss Jessica Slack The Black Princess (FR) 4 John Gosden Mr R. J. H. Geffen The Juliet Rose (FR) 4 N. Clement Markus J. Jooste & Bernard Kantor BATEEL Smart performer when with David Simcock last season, when beaten only a couple of lengths in a French Group 1. Transferred to France this year to join Francis-Henri Graffard and has continued to go forwards, winning a Group 3 at Haydock on suitably soft ground before moving up take a Group 2 at Deauville and the Group 1 Qatar Prix Vermeille at Chantilly. On a roll presently and respected given versatility and proven stamina. Coronet (GB) 3 John Gosden Denford Stud Eziyra (IRE) 3 D. K. Weld H.H. Aga Khan Horseplay (GB) 3 Andrew Balding Cliveden Stud EZIYRA Smart performer at two, winning a Group 3 on her final start, and has maintained a high level of form this year. Finished in front of Coronet when third to Enable in the Darley Irish Oaks and a winner of two Group races since, staying on strongly to hold off male rivals in the Group 3 KPMG Enterprise Stakes at Leopardstown last time out. Sees this trip out well, her trainer has fine record at this meeting and rates as a fascinating contender. Hydrangea (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Rhododendron (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Wild Irish Rose (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs O'Brien PAGE 20 PAGE 21

12 2017 IN THE FILLIES & MARES DIVISION: 2017 IN THE FILLIES & MARES DIVISION: QIPCO 1000 GUINEAS 1M 3YO FILLIES GOOD TO FIRM 7TH MAY NEWMARKET 1st Winter A O Brien W Lordan 9/1 2nd Rhododendron A O Brien R Moore 5/4f 3rd Daban J Gosden L Dettori 5/1 4th Talaayeb O Burrows J Crowley 11/1 5th Fair Eva R Charlton J Doyle 8/1 6th Unforgetable Filly H Palmer W Buick 25/1 7th Poet s Vanity A Balding D Probert 20/1 8th Urban Fox J Tate M Harley 50/1 9th Queen Kindly R Fahey G Mosse 33/1 10th Hydrangea A O Brien P Beggy 9/1 11th Kilmah M Johnston R Kingscote 100/1 12th Intricately J O Brien D O Brien 20/1 13th Ce La Vie K Dalgleish T Queally 150/1 14th Dream Start J Ryan J Gordon 200/1 INVESTEC OAKS 1M4F 3YO FILLIES GOOD 2ND JUNE EPSOM DOWNS 1st Enable J Gosden L Dettori 6/1 2nd Rhododendron A O Brien R Moore 8/11f 3rd Alluringly A O Brien S Heffernan 16/1 4th Horseplay A Balding O Murphy 14/1 5th Coronet J Gosden A Atzeni 12/1 6th Isabel De Urbina R Beckett F Berry 33/1 7th Pocketfullofdreams A O Brien D O Brien 50/1 8th Sobetsu C Appleby W Buick 6/1 9th Natavia R Charlton P Smullen 12/1 CORONATION STAKES 1M 3YO FILLIES GOOD TO FIRM 23RD JUNE ASCOT 1st Winter A O Brien R Moore 4/9f 2nd Roly Poly A O Brien S Heffernan 12/1 3rd Hydrangea A O Brien P Beggy 16/1 4th Dabyah J Gosden J Crowley 13/2 5th La Coronel M Casse F Geroux 25/1 6th Tomyris R Varian A Atzeni 33/1 7th Precieuse F Chappet O Peslier 8/1 TATTERSALLS FALMOUTH STAKES 1M 3YO+ F&M GOOD 14TH JULY NEWMARKET 1st Roly Poly A O Brien R Moore 6/4f 2nd Wuheida C Appleby W Buick 3/1 3rd Arabian Hope S Bin Suroor J Gordon 13/2 4th Sea Of Grace W Haggas A Atzeni 9/2 5th Delectation A Wohler E Pedroza 16/1 6th Greta G J Gosden J Crowley 14/1 7th Opal Tiara M Channon R Whelan 25/1 QATAR NASSAU STAKES 1M2F 3YO+ F&M SOFT (HEAVY) 3RD AUGUST GOODWOOD 1st Winter A O Brien R Moore 10/11f 2nd Blond Me A Balding O Murphy 16/1 3rd Sobetsu C Appleby W Buick 6/1 4th Hydrangea A O Brien S Heffernan 10/1 5th So Mi Dar J Gosden L Dettori 4/1 6th Queen s Trust Sir M Stoute J Crowley 8/1 DARLEY YORKSHIRE OAKS 1M4F 3YO+ F&M GOOD TO SOFT 24TH AUGUST YORK 1st Enable J Gosden L Dettori 1/4f 2nd Coronet J Gosden O Peslier 16/1 3rd Queen s Trust Sir M Stoute J Crowley 12/1 4th Nezwaah R Varian A Atzeni 7/1 5th Alluringly A O Brien R Moore 16/1 6th Abingdon Sir M Stoute R Kingscote 33/1 PAGE 22 PAGE 23

13 PAST WINNERS OF THE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS FILLIES & MARES STAKES (GROUP 1) YEAR RATING HORSE JOCKEY TRAINER Dancing Rain Johnny Murtagh William Haggas Sapphire Pat Smullen Dermot Weld Seal of Approval George Baker James Fanshawe Madame Chiang Jim Crowley David Simcock Simple Verse Andrea Atzeni Ralph Beckett Journey Frankie Dettori John Gosden HISTORY OF THE RACE The genealogy of the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes dates back to 1946, when Ascot staged the Princess Royal Stakes for the first time. In 2008 it was renamed the Pride Stakes and moved to Newmarket, but it returned to Ascot under its current name in The new race was given a boost in its very first year as it was won by none other than the Investec Oaks and Preis der Diana (German Oaks) winner, Dancing Rain, a dual Classic heroine having her final European start. Simple Verse was the second Classic winner to claim the spoils in its short recent history when successful in The race was awarded Group 1 status in 2013 and now boasts prize money of 600,000, making it Britain s joint-most valuable fillies-only race. 3:15PM QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES (SPONSORED BY QIPCO) (GROUP 1) Total prize money 1,100,000 Prize money breakdown: 1st 623,810-2nd 236,500 3rd 118,360-4th 58,960-5th 29,590-6th 14,850 1m (1600 metres) Straight Course 3yo+ Maximum Field 20 Declare 10am Thursday 19th October LAST YEAR S WINNER: MINDING The remarkable Minding put the seal on an incredible season with a fifth Group 1 victory, confirming her position as a supreme performer by beating the best of the boys having already proven herself much the best of her own sex. Ribchester and William Buick pushed her to the line, but got no closer than the half-length winning margin. Aidan O Brien, winning on QIPCO British Champions Day for a third time, hailed her as being quite incredible. CONTENDERS THIS YEAR INCLUDE AL WUKAIR Well fancied to win the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on the strength of a hugely-impressive reappearance in the Prix Djebel at Maisons-Laffitte and far from disgraced to finish a close-up third. Built on his subsequent second in a Group 3 afterwards to claim a first Group 1 success in the Prix Jacques Le Marois under Frankie Dettori. Still has very few miles on the clock and a fascinating contender for French master trainer. RIBCHESTER Versatile and high-quality performer who returns to QIPCO British Champions Day with his reputation further enhanced since finishing second to Minding in this race 12 months ago. Stylish success at the start of the season in Newbury s Lockinge Stakes was followed up by career-best victory in the Queen Anne over track and trip. Beaten in the mud at Goodwood afterwards but back to form in France since. CHURCHILL Outstanding dual Group 1-winning two-year-old last season who returned with the same sort of high-class performance when taking QIPCO 2000 Guineas on return. Followed up in softer ground in the Irish version and looked to be going places, but possibly boiled over at Royal Ascot on a scorching hot day and then followed back-to-form second in Juddmonte International with a disappointing run in the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes. Best foot forward required here. PAGE 24 PAGE 25

14 FIVE-DAY ENTRIES FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES (SPONSORED BY QIPCO) Entries on 16th October 2017 HORSE AGE TRAINER OWNER Breton Rock (IRE) 7 David Simcock Mr John Cook Here Comes When (IRE) 7 Andrew Balding Mrs Fitri Hay Lightning Spear (GB) 6 David Simcock Qatar Racing Limited Ribchester (IRE) 4 Richard Fahey Godolphin 2017 IN THE MILE DIVISION: QIPCO 2000 GUINEAS 1M 3YO GOOD TO FIRM 6TH MAY NEWMARKET 1st Churchill A O Brien R Moore 6/4f 2nd Barney Roy R Hannon J Doyle 7/2 3rd Al Wukair A Fabre G Benoist 11/2 4th Lancaster Bomber A O Brien D O Brien 14/1 5th Dream Castle S Bin Suroor S De Sousa 8/1 6th Eminent M Meade J Crowley 5/1 7th Top Score S Bin Suroor J Fanning 100/1 8th Spirit Of Valor A O Brien S Heffernan 33/1 9th Larchmont Lad R Hannon W Buick 33/1 10th Law And Order J Tate M Harley 100/1 Toscanini (IRE) 5 Richard Fahey Godolphin Zonderland (GB) 4 Clive Cox Cheveley Park Stud Al Wukair (IRE) 3 A. Fabre Al Shaqab Racing Beat The Bank (GB) 3 Andrew Balding King Power Racing Co Ltd AL SHAQAB LOCKINGE STAKES 1M 4YO+ SOFT 20TH MAY NEWBURY 1st Ribchester R Fahey W Buick 7/4f 2nd Lightning Spear D Simcock O Murphy 9/2 3rd Breton Rock D Simcock A Atzeni 25/1 4th Somehow A O Brien R Moore 100/30 5th Galileo Gold H Palmer L Dettori 9/2 6th Aclaim M Meade J Spencer 9/1 7th Mitchum Swagger D Lanigan T Queally 25/1 8th Toscanini R Fahey P Hanagan 50/1 Churchill (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Lancaster Bomber (USA) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Nathra (IRE) 4 John Gosden Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah Persuasive (IRE) 4 John Gosden Cheveley Park Stud Sir John Lavery (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier Thunder Snow (IRE) 3 Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Roly Poly (USA) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Sea of Grace (IRE) 3 William Haggas Sunderland Holding Inc. QUEEN ANNE STAKES 1M 4YO+ GOOD TO FIRM 20TH JUNE ASCOT 1st Ribchester R Fahey W Buick 11/10f 2nd Mutakayyef W Haggas J Crowley 5/1 3rd Deauville A O Brien R Moore 12/1 4th Spectre M Munch S Pasquier 50/1 5th Kaspersky J Chapple-Hyam M Payne 66/1 6th Dutch Connection C Hills J Doyle 25/1 7th Cougar Mountain A O Brien D O Brien 33/1 8th Oh This Is Us R Hannon P Dobbs 33/1 9th Lightning Spear D Simcock J Spencer 11/2 10th Jallota C Hills S De Sousa 40/1 11th American Patriot T Pletcher J Velazquez 20/1 12th Kool Kompany R Hannon P Smullen 50/1 13th Miss Temple City G Motion E Prado 20/1 14th Toscanini R Fahey P Hanagan 150/1 15th Ennaadd R Varian A Atzeni 16/1 16th Dutch Uncle R Cowell M Harley 200/1 PAGE 26 PAGE 27

15 2017 IN THE MILE DIVISION: QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES (SPONSORED BY QIPCO) (GROUP 1) WINNERS AND RATINGS ST JAMES S PALACE STAKES 1M 3YO GOOD TO FIRM 20TH JUNE ASCOT 1st Barney Roy R Hannon J Doyle 5/2 2nd Lancaster Bomber A O Brien D O Brien 12/1 3rd Thunder Snow S Bin Suroor C Soumillon 6/1 4th Churchill A O Brien R Moore 1/2f 5th Forest Ranger R Fahey T Hamilton 33/1 6th Rivet W Haggas A Atzeni 16/1 7th Mr Scaramanga S Dow H Bentley 66/1 8th Peace Envoy A O Brien S Heffernan 33/1 QATAR SUSSEX STAKES 1M 4YO+ SOFT 2ND AUGUST GOODWOOD 1st Here Comes When A Balding J Crowley 20/1 2nd Ribchester R Fahey W Buick 8/13f 3rd Lightning Spear D Simcock O Murphy 8/1 4th Zelzal J-C Rouget L Dettori 4/1 5th Toscanini R Fahey J Doyle 66/1 6th Lancaster Bomber A O Brien R Moore 8/1 7th Kool Kompany R Hannon A Atzeni 40/1 KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN SUN CHARIOT STAKES 1M 3YO+ F&M GOOD 7TH OCTOBER NEWMARKET 1st Roly Poly A O Brien R Moore 4/1 2nd Persuasive J Gosden L Dettori 9/4f 3rd Nathra J Gosden J Fortune 20/1 4th Usherette A Fabre M Barzalona 9/1 5th Dawn Of Hope R Varian C O Donoghue 66/1 6th Qemah J-C Rouget G Benoist 5/1 7th Muffri Ha W Haggas J Fanning 18/1 8th Alluringly A O Brien S Heffernan 50/1 9th Aljazzi M Botti A Kirby 8/1 10th Siyoushake F Head S Pasquier 9/1 11th Tomyris R Varian J Spencer 50/1 12th Spangled R Varian H Bentley 66/1 13th Arabian Hope S Bin Suroor J Quinn 50/1 YEAR RATING HORSE JOCKEY TRAINER OWNER Observatory Kevin Darley John Gosden Khalid Abdullah Summoner Richard Hills Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Where or When Kevin Darley Terry Mills John Humphreys Falbrav Darryll Holland Luca Cumani Rencati/Yoshida Rakti Philip Robinson Michael Jarvis Gary Tanaka Starcraft Christophe Lemaire Luca Cumani The Australian Syndicate George Washington Mick Kinane Aidan O Brien Magnier/ Tabor/ Smith Ramonti Frankie Dettori Saeed Bin Suroor Godolphin Raven s Pass Jimmy Fortune John Gosden Princess Haya of Jordan Rip Van Winkle Johnny Murtagh Aidan O Brien Magnier/ Tabor/ Smith Poet s Voice Frankie Dettori Saeed Bin Suroor Godolphin Frankel Tom Queally Sir Henry Cecil Khalid Abdullah Excelebration Joseph O Brien Aidan O Brien Smith/ Magnier/ Tabor Olympic Glory Richard Hughes Richard Hannon Sr Sheikh Joaan Al Thani Charm Spirit Olivier Peslier Freddy Head Sheikh Abdulla Bin Khalifa Al Thani Solow Maxime Guyon Freddy Head Wertheimer & Frère Minding Ryan Moore Aidan O Brien Smith/ Magnier/ Tabor HISTORY OF THE RACE Long recognised as Europe s mile championship, 1,600 metre races come no bigger than this anywhere on the International (capital I) stage. It is now by far the richest mile race in Europe and one of the most valuable anywhere in the world. Named in honour of The Queen in 1955, the race has a roll of honour packed full of stars, including Brigadier Gerard (1971 & 1972), Known Fact (1980), Dubai Millennium (1999) and the awesome Frankel, who took the contest in 2011 in effortless fashion. After a dozen straight home wins leading up to 2005, the winner s trophy has been taken overseas five times in the last nine years, with Charm Spirit, Solow and Minding taking the last three renewals. In 2016, after victories in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas, Investec Oaks, Darley Irish Oaks and Darley Yorkshire Oaks, Minding became the first filly to be successful since Milligram in 1987 and Aidan O Brien s fourth winner in the race. PAGE 28 PAGE 29

16 ROLL OF HONOUR FOR THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES FIRST RUN IN 1955 AND RUN AT NEWMARKET IN 2005 WHEN ASCOT WAS BEING REDEVELOPED. YEAR HORSE AGE JOCKEY TRAINER OWNER 1970 Welsh Pageant 4 Sandy Barclay Noel Murless Jim Joel 1971 Brigadier Gerard 3 Joe Mercer Dick Hern Jean Hislop 1972 Brigadier Gerard 4 Joe Mercer Dick Hern Jean Hislop 3:50PM QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES (GROUP 1) Total prize money 1,300,000 Prize money breakdown: 1st 737,230-2nd 279,500 3rd 139,880-4th 69,680-5th 34,970-6th 17,550 1m2f (2000 metres) 3yo+ Maximum Field 14 Contingency Inner Flat Course distance - 1m2f Declare 10am Thursday 19th October 1973 Jan Ekels 4 Jimmy Lindley Guy Harwood Anthony Bodie 1974 Track Waterlogged 1975 Rose Bowl 3 Willie Carson Fulke Johnson Houghton Jane Engelhard 1976 Rose Bowl 4 Willie Carson Fulke Johnson Houghton Jane Engelhard 1977 Trusted 4 Willie Carson John Dunlop Duchess of Norfolk 1978 Homing 3 Willie Carson Dick Hern 2nd Baron Rotherwick 1979 Kris 3 Joe Mercer Sir Henry Cecil Lord Howard de Walden 1980 Known Fact 3 Willie Carson Jeremy Tree Khalid Abdullah 1981 To-Agori-Mou 3 Lester Piggott Guy Harwood Andry Muinos 1982 Buzzards Bay 4 Walter Swinburn Hugh Collingridge Vera McKinney 1983 Sackford 3 Greville Starkey Guy Harwood Anthony Bodie 1984 Teleprompter 4 Willie Carson Bill Watts 18th Earl of Derby 1985 Shadeed 3 Walter Swinburn Sir Michael Stoute Maktoum Al Maktoum 1986 Sure Blade 3 Brent Thomson Guy Harwood Sheikh Mohammad 1987 Milligram 3 Pat Eddery Sir Michael Stoute Helena Springfield Ltd 1988 Warning 3 Pat Eddery Guy Harwood Khalid Abdullah 1989 Zilzal 3 Walter Swinburn Sir Michael Stoute Mana Al Maktoum 1990 Markofdistinction 4 Frankie Dettori Luca Cumani Gerald Leigh 1991 Selkirk 3 Ray Cochrane Ian Balding George Strawbridge 1992 Lahib 4 Willie Carson John Dunlop Hamdan Al Maktoum 1993 Bigstone 3 Pat Eddery Elie Lellouche Daniel Wildenstein LAST YEAR S WINNER: ALMANZOR Having announced himself as a high-class colt in France when taking the Prix du Jockey-Club at Chantilly, he moved on to a new plateau in the autumn with victories in the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and then in this mighty race, where he stayed on with typical power to beat Found by two lengths. Victory confirmed him the supreme middle-distance performer in Europe. After an injury-interrupted start to this season, he was retired after failing to show his old sparkle when returning the racecourse at Deauville in August. CONTENDERS THIS YEAR INCLUDE HIGHLAND REEL Already the winner of two QIPCO British Champions Series contests this year, his hallmark is fortitude and determination. Travel problems meant that he arrived late into Epsom before the Investec Coronation Cup, but he proved unflappable and unstoppable in the race. Then dropped in trip for the Prince of Wales s Stakes at Royal Ascot, he fought like a lion in the home straight to see off a series of challengers. No QIPCO British Champions Day contender will have more heart. BARNEY ROY Followed up victory in the JLT Greenham Stakes on return with a solid second to Churchill in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas. He reversed that form subsequently on the biggest stage at Royal Ascot and lost nothing in defeat afterwards when stepped up to 10 furlongs and beaten by a nostril by Ulysses in the Coral-Eclipse. Tactics may have been to blame when third in the Juddmonte International at York subsequently and better expected here Maroof 4 Richard Hills Robert Armstrong Hamdan Al Maktoum 1995 Bahri 3 Willie Carson John Dunlop Hamdan Al Maktoum 1996 Mark of Esteem 3 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin 1997 Air Express 3 Olivier Peslier Clive Brittain Mohamed Obaida 1998 Desert Prince 3 Olivier Peslier David Loder Lucayan Stud 1999 Dubai Millennium 3 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin CRACKSMAN Third in the Investec Derby on just the third start of his life, then second in the Irish version four weeks later, just unable to reel in the leader having been set plenty to do. Returned from break with emphatic Betway Great Voltigeur Stakes success at York before effortless victory in the Group 2 Qatar Prix Niel at Chantilly. Connections opted to miss the Qatar Prix de l Arc de Triomphe to wait for this and looks sure to land a big one at some stage. PAGE 30 PAGE 31

17 FIVE-DAY ENTRIES FOR QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES Entries on 16th October 2017 HORSE AGE TRAINER OWNER Desert Encounter (IRE) 5 David Simcock Mr Abdulla Al Mansoori 2017 IN THE MIDDLE DISTANCE DIVISION: INVESTEC CORONATION CUP 1M4F 4YO+ 10 RAN GOOD 2ND JUNE EPSOM 1st Highland Reel A O Brien R Moore 9/4f 2nd Frontiersman C Appleby J Doyle 9/1 Highland Reel (IRE) 5 Aidan O'Brien Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor 3rd Hawkbill C Appleby W Buick 11/2 4th Elbereth A Balding O Murphy 33/1 Maverick Wave (USA) 6 John Gosden Godolphin 5th Journey J Gosden L Dettori 7/2 6th Idaho A O Brien S Heffernan 11/1 Poet's Word (IRE) 4 Sir Michael Stoute Mr Saeed Suhail 7th Red Verdon E Dunlop P Smullen 33/1 8th Air Pilot R Beckett F Berry 25/1 Success Days (IRE) 5 K. J. Condon Mr Robert Ng Ulysses (IRE) 4 Sir Michael Stoute Barney Roy (GB) 3 Richard Hannon Godolphin Flaxman Stables IRE & Cheveley Park Stud Brametot (IRE) 3 Jean Claude Rouget Al Shaqab/G. Augustin-Normand 9th Prize Money S Bin Suroor O Peslier 10/1 10th US Army Ranger A O Brien D O Brien 8/1 INVESTEC DERBY 1M4F 3YO 18 RAN GOOD 3RD JUNE EPSOM 1st Wings Of Eagles A O Brien P Beggy 40/1 2nd Cliffs Of Moher A O Brien R Moore 5/1 3rd Cracksman J Gosden L Dettori 7/2f Churchill (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier 4th Eminent M Meade J Crowley 5/1 5th Benbatl S Bin Suroor O Murphy 20/1 Cliffs of Moher (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier Cracksman (GB) 3 John Gosden Mr A. E. Oppenheimer Lancaster Bomber (USA) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Recoletos (FR) 3 C. Laffon-Parias Sarl Darpat France Sir John Lavery (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier 6th Capri A O Brien S Heffernan 16/1 7th Douglas Macarthur A O Brien C O Donoghue 25/1 8th Best Solution S Bin Suroor P Cosgrave 12/1 9th Glencadam Glory J Gosden J Doyle 33/1 10th Permian M Johnston W Buick 8/1 11th Dubai Thunder S Bin Suroor A Kirby 9/1 12th Venice Beach A O Brien D O Brien 12/1 13th Salouen S Kirk F Berry 33/1 14th Khalidi J Gosden P Smullen 20/1 War Decree (USA) 3 Aidan O'Brien Hydrangea (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Rhododendron (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien A Rosen/Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith 15th Crowned Eagle J Gosden A Atzeni 33/1 16th Rekindling J O Brien W Lordan 25/1 17th The Anvil A O Brien Ana O Brien 66/1 18th Pealer J Gosden S De Sousa 100/1 PAGE 32 PAGE 33

18 2017 IN THE MIDDLE DISTANCE DIVISION: PRINCE OF WALES S STAKES 1M2F 4YO+ 8 RAN GOOD TO FIRM 21ST JUNE ASCOT 1st Highland Reel A O Brien R Moore 9/4 2nd Decorated Knight R Charlton A Atzeni 10/1 3rd Ulysses Sir M Stoute J Crowley 9/2 4th Queen s Trust Sir M Stoute O Peslier 16/1 5th Scottish C Appleby J Doyle 20/1 6th Mekhtaal J-C Rouget G Benoist 17/2 7th Johannes Vermeer A O Brien D O Brien 50/1 8th Jack Hobbs J Gosden W Buick 2/1f CORAL-ECLIPSE 1M2F 3YO+ 8 RAN GOOD TO FIRM (FIRM) 8TH JULY SANDOWN PARK 1st Ulysses Sir M Stoute J Crowley 8/1 2nd Barney Roy R Hannon J Doyle 9/4 3rd Desert Encounter D Simcock S Levey 50/1 4th Cliffs Of Moher A O Brien R Moore 7/4f 5th Eminent M Meade S De Sousa 4/1 6th Decorated Knight R Charlton O Peslier 10/1 7th Lightning Spear D Simcock O Murphy 25/1 8th Salouen S Kirk W Buick 33/1 9th Taj Mahal A O Brien P Beggy 50/1 KING GEORGE VI & QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES (SPONSORED BY QIPCO) 1M4F 3YO+ 8 RAN GOOD TO FIRM 29TH JULY ASCOT 1st Enable J Gosden L Dettori 5/4f 2nd Ulysses Sir M Stoute J Crowley 9/1 3rd Idaho A O Brien S Heffernan 8/1 4th Highland Reel A O Brien R Moore 9/2 5th Benbatl S Bin Suroor O Murphy 14/1 6th Desert Encounter D Simcock S Levey 33/1 7th My Dream Boat C Cox A Kirby 16/1 8th Maverick Wave J Gosden G Lee 100/1 9th Jack Hobbs J Gosden W Buick 11/2 10th Sixties Song A F Gaitan Dassie G Mosse 33/1 JUDDMONTE INTERNATIONAL STAKES 1M2F 3YO+ GOOD TO SOFT 23RD AUGUST YORK 1st Ulysses Sir M Stoute J Crowley 4/1 2nd Churchill A O Brien R Moore 5/2f 3rd Barney Roy R Hannon J Doyle 11/4 4th Cliffs Of Moher A O Brien S Heffernan 9/2 5th Decorated Knight R Charlton A Atzeni 16/1 6th Shutter Speed J Gosden L Dettori 9/1 7th My Dream Boat C Cox A Kirby 28/1 HISTORY OF THE RACE With 1.3 million in prize money, the QIPCO Champion Stakes over one mile and two furlongs (2,000 metres) is the most valuable ten-furlong race in Europe. Following on from iconic races like the Investec Derby and King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, this is the final, pulsating showdown in the QIPCO British Champions Series Middle Distance division. The race brought a great heritage with it from Newmarket, where it had been run from its inception in 1877 until But the dramatic injection in prize money that accompanied its move to become the glittering highlight of the new QIPCO British Champions Day has changed its status completely. Each of the six renewals in the race s new surroundings have produced top-quality fields and thrilling finishes. The first set the bar high, with French raider Cirrus Des Aigles getting the better of Aussie superstar So You Think with two champion mares, Snow Fairy and Midday, further behind. For quality and drama few races could ever match the 2012 running, when Frankel completed his career unbeaten despite unsuitable ground and a very slow start from the stalls saw Farhh prevail in a three-way battle, while in 2014 we were treated to a spine-tingling duel between Al Kazeem and Noble Mission, who ultimately came out on top for Lady Cecil. In 2015, QIPCO British Champions Day dream team Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen (who have each enjoyed four winners on the day over the past six years) pounced late to land the spoils with Fascinating Rock. Last year Almanzor completed a stunning sequence of five victories with a dramatic defeat of Prix de l Arc De Triomphe winner Found to provide French trainer Jean-Claude Rouget and Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon with their second winner of the race. In the subsequent World s Best Racehorse Rankings, Almanzor was ranked the fourth-best racehorse in the world, making him the top-rated horse trained in Europe. The QIPCO Champion Stakes was also rated the fifth-best Group 1 race in the world in QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES WINNERS AND RATINGS YEAR RATING HORSE JOCKEY TRAINER OWNER Kalanisi Johnny Murtagh Sir Michael Stoute HH Aga Khan IV Nayef Richard Hills Marcus Tregoning Hamdan Al Maktoum Storming Home Michael Hills Barry Hills Maktoum Al Maktoum Rakti Philip Robinson Michael Jarvis Gary Tanaka Haafhd Richard Hills Barry Hills Hamdan Al Maktoum David Junior Jamie Spencer Brian Meehan Roldvale Ltd Pride Christophe Lemaire Alain De Royer Dupre NP Bloodstock Ltd Literato Christophe Lemaire Jean-Claude Rouget Herve Morin New Approach Kevin Manning Jim Bolger Princess Haya of Jordan Twice Over Tom Queally Sir Henry Cecil Khalid Abdullah Twice Over Tom Queally Sir Henry Cecil Khalid Abdullah Cirrus des Aigles Christophe Soumillon Mrs Corinne Barande-Barbe Jean-Claude Dupouy Frankel Tom Queally Sir Henry Cecil Khalid Abdullah Farhh Silvestre de Sousa Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Noble Mission James Doyle Lady Jane Cecil Khalid Abdullah Fascinating Rock Pat Smullen Dermot Weld Newtown Anner Stud Farm Ltd Almanzor Christophe Soumillon Jean-Claude Rouget Ecurie Antonio Caro PAGE 34 PAGE 35

19 QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES ROLL OF HONOUR FIRST RUN IN 1877 AND HELD AT NEWMARKET UP TO 2010 YEAR HORSE AGE JOCKEY TRAINER OWNER THE AFTER PARTY FEATURING 1970 Lorenzaccio 5 Geoff Lewis Noel Murless Charles St George 1971 Brigadier Gerard 3 Joe Mercer Dick Hern Jean Hislop 1972 Brigadier Gerard 4 Joe Mercer Dick Hern Jean Hislop 1973 Hurry Harriet 3 Jean Cruguet Paddy Mullins Malcolm Thorp 1974 Giacometti 3 Lester Piggott Ryan Price Charles St George 1975 Rose Bowl 3 Willie Carson Fulke Johnon Houghton Jane Engelhard 1976 Vitiges 3 Pat Eddery Peter Walwyn Mrs Marc Laloum 1977 Flying Waters 4 Yves Saint-Martin Angel Penna Daniel Wildenstein GRANDSTAND LAWN MARQUEE AFTER RACING 1978 Swiss Maid 3 Greville Starkey Paul Kelleway Max Fine 1979 Northern Baby 3 Philippe Paquet Francois Boutin Anne-Marie d Estainville 1980 Cairn Rouge 3 Tony Murray Michael Cunningham D. Brady 1981 Vayrann 3 Yves Saint-Martin Francois Mathet HH Aga Khan IV 1982 Time Charter 3 Billy Newnes Henry Candy Robert Barnet 1983 Cormorant Wood 3 Steve Cauthen Barry Hills Bobby McAlphine 1984 Palace Music 3 Yves Saint-Martin Patrick Biancone Nelson Bunker Hunt 1985 Pebbles 4 Pat Eddery Clive Brittain Sheikh Mohammed 1986 Triptych 4 Tony Cruz Patrick Biancone Alan Clore 1987 Triptych 5 Tony Cruz Patrick Biancone Alan Clore 1988 Indian Skimmer 4 Michael Roberts Sir Henry Cecil Sheikh Mohammed 1989 Legal Case 3 Ray Cochrane Luca Cumani Sir Gordon White 1990 In the Groove 3 Steve Cauthen David Elsworth Brian Cooper 1991 Tel Quel 3 Thierry Jarnet Andre Fabre Sheikh Mohammed 1992 Rodrigo de Triano 3 Lester Piggott Peter Chapple-Hyam Robert Sangster 1993 Hatoof 4 Walter Swinburn Criquette Head Maktoum Al Maktoum 1994 Dernier Empereur 4 Sylvain Guillot Andre Fabre Gary Tanaka 1995 Spectrum 3 John Reid Peter Chapple-Hyam Lord Weinstock 1996 Bosra Sham 3 Pat Eddery Sir Henry Cecil Wafic Said 1997 Pilsudski 5 Michael Kinane Sir Michael Stoute Lord Weinstock 1998 Alborada 3 George Duffield Sir Mark Prescott Kirsten Rausing 1999 Alborada 4 George Duffield Sir Mark Prescott Kirsten Rausing PAGE 36

20 4:30PM BALMORAL HANDICAP (SPONSORED BY QIPCO) BH Total prize money 250,000 Prize money breakdown: 1st 155,625-2nd 46,600 3rd 23,300-4th 11,650-5th 5,825 6th 2,925 1m (1600m) Straight Course 3yo+ Maximum Field 20 Declare 10am Thursday 19th October Winners after 1st October to carry a 6lb penalty LAST YEAR S WINNER: YUFTEN Trainer Roger Charlton saddled his first QIPCO British Champions Day winner when the enigmatic Yuften took Europe s most valuable one-mile handicap under Andrea Atzeni. It was welcome compensation for Charlton, who had watched his Quest For More being narrowly edged out in the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup. Yuften had been switched to join the stable only a couple of months earlier by his foresighted owners, in the hope that a change of scenery might rekindle his fortunes. HISTORY OF THE RACE Named after the castle in Scotland that has belonged to the British Royal Family since it was purchased by Prince Albert, consort to Queen Victoria, in 1852, the Balmoral Handicap was inaugurated in A race known as the Balmoral Handicap had previously been staged over five furlongs at the Royal Meeting, discontinued in 2004 in favour of the new Windsor Forest Stakes for fillies and mares. The Ascot Executive always intended to bring the name back when the appropriate opportunity arose, and Her Majesty The Queen graciously consented to it being re-introduced on QIPCO British Champions Day. The new Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored By QIPCO), with its 250,000 race value, is the richest one-mile (1,600 metre) handicap in Europe. In its inaugural running, the race could not have had a more popular winner than Marcus Tregoning s Bronze Angel, who had built up a legion of fans via his two triumphs, in 2012 and 2014, in another of Britain s most prestigious handicaps, the Betfred Cambridgeshire. His victory also showcased an exciting new riding talent in the shape of 20-year-old Louis Steward. In 2015, although open to all jockeys, it was another apprentice who stole the show when 17-year-old Eddy Greatrex scored aboard Musaddas for Godolphin. The latest renewal saw Andrea Atzeni, aboard the Roger Charlton-trained Yuften, record his second QIPCO British Champions Day winner. YEAR HORSE JOCKEY TRAINER OWNER 2014 Bronze Angel Lady Tennant Marcus Tregoning Louis Steward (3) 2015 Musaddas Godolphin Saeed Bin Suroor Eddy Greatex (5) 2016 Yuften Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar Roger Charlton Andrea Atzeni BH FIVE-DAY ENTRIES FOR BALMORAL HANDICAP (SPONSORED BY QIPCO) Entries on 16th October 2017 HORSE AGE TRAINER OWNER Firmament (GB) 5 David O'Meara Gallop Racing Master The World (IRE) 6 David Elsworth K. Quinn/ C. Benham Speculative Bid (IRE) 6 David Elsworth K. Quinn/ C. Benham Oh This Is Us (IRE) 4 Richard Hannon Team Wallop Gabrial (IRE) 8 Richard Fahey Dr Marwan Koukash GM Hopkins (GB) 6 John Gosden Mr R. J. H. Geffen Linguistic (IRE) 4 John Gosden Godolphin George William (GB) 4 Richard Hannon Lady Coventry & Partners Lord Glitters (FR) 4 David O'Meara Geoff & Sandra Turnbull White Lake (GB) 5 Roger Varian Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum Eddystone Rock (IRE) 5 John Best Curtis, Malt & Williams Hors de Combat (GB) 6 Denis Coakley Chris van Hoorn Racing Accidental Agent (GB) 3 Eve Johnson Houghton Mrs R. F. Johnson Houghton Qassem (IRE) 4 Hugo Palmer Al Shaqab Racing Withernsea (IRE) 6 Richard Fahey Tiffin Sandwiches Limited & Partner Greenside (GB) 6 Henry Candy Clayton, Frost, Kebell & Turner Stamp Hill (IRE) 4 Richard Fahey Merchants and Missionaries Century Dream (IRE) 3 Simon Crisford Abdullah Saeed Leader Writer (FR) 5 Henry Spiller G. B. Partnership Raising Sand (GB) 5 Jamie Osborne Nick Bradley Racing 22 & Partner Mjjack (IRE) 3 K. R. Burke Mrs M. Gittins Bronze Angel (IRE) 8 Marcus Tregoning Lady Tennant & Mr M P N Tregoning Dark Red (IRE) 5 Ed Dunlop The Hon R J Arculli Zabeel Prince (IRE) 4 Roger Varian Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum Battered (GB) 3 William Haggas Mr B. Haggas Bravery (IRE) 4 David O'Meara Thoroughbred British Racing Mountain Hunter (USA) 3 Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Belgian Bill (GB) 9 George Baker PJL, Byrne & Baker Masham Star (IRE) 3 Mark Johnston 3 Batterhams and a Reay The Grape Escape (IRE) 3 Richard Hannon Mr John Manley Brigliadoro (IRE) 6 Philip McBride SerafinoAgodino,C.M.Budgett,P.J.McBride Big Baz (IRE) 7 William Muir The Big Baz Partnership King's Pavilion (IRE) 4 David Barron Mr Laurence O'Kane Brilliant Vanguard (IRE) 4 Kevin Ryan JCG Chua & CK Ong Storm King (GB) 8 David C. Griffiths Norcroft Park Stud Khamaary (IRE) 3 Mark Johnston Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum Havre de Paix (FR) 5 David Menuisier Mr Clive Washbourn Graphite Storm (GB) 3 Clive Cox Mrs Olive Shaw Mazyoun (GB) 3 Hugo Palmer Al Shaqab Racing Sinfonietta (FR) 5 David Menuisier Mr Clive Washbourn The Warrior (IRE) 5 Amanda Perrett The Warrior Partnership Fastar (IRE) 3 Brian Meehan Biddestone Racing Partnership XVIII Colibri (IRE) 3 Hugo Palmer Al Asayl Bloodstock Ltd Me Too Nagasaki (IRE) 3 Jeremy Noseda C Fox, B Wilson & R Levitt PAGE 38 PAGE 39

21 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY - STOBART CHAMPION JOCKEY 2016 Quite simply, victory in the 2016 Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship proved a career-changing achievement for Jim Crowley. Having begun the year rated a 50/1 shot by the bookmakers to take the title, an incredible run of success in August and September last year saw former jumps jockey Crowley leapfrog defending champion Silvestre De Sousa at the head of the table. By the time the season had reached its finale on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot, Crowley, who rode 148 winners, finished 16 victories clear of De Sousa. During that period he had ridden in more than 700 races and clocked up more than 50,000 miles travelling around the country in search of winners, while wife Lucinda and children Alice, Bella and Sam watched his every ride at home on television. Championship success opened doors for Crowley, and only weeks after he had claimed that crown, he replaced the departing Paul Hanagan as retained jockey to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum - a post that Hanagan himself had taken up after he had become champion for the second time in Although Crowley has not managed to defend his crown this year, new doors continue to open for him and a partnership with the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Ulysses yielded victories in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes and the Juddmonte International, as well as a first Group 1 winner for Sheikh Hamdan in the Prix de l Abbaye de Longchamp Longines STOBART FLAT JOCKEYS CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS AS OF 31ST MAY 2017 POSITION JOCKEY WINNERS RIDES STRIKE RATE 1st William Buick % 2nd Silvestre De Sousa % 3rd Andrea Atzeni % 4th Ryan Moore % 5th Frankie Dettori % 6th Jim Crowley % 7th P J McDonald % 8th Danny Tudhope % 9th Jamie Spencer % 10th Paul Hanagan % THE PRIZE MONEY FOR JOCKEYS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AS FOLLOWS: CHAMPION JOCKEY: 25,000 RUNNER-UP: 10,000 CHAMPION APPRENTICE: 5,000 LEADING JOCKEY (MOST WINS THROUGHOUT THE FULL CALENDAR YEAR): 15,000 ALL-WEATHER CHAMPIONSHIP: 10,000 PJA WELFARE SCHEME FOR ALL MEMBERS: 25,000 STOBART JOCKEY OF THE MONTH WINNERS SO FAR IN 2017 Throughout the Championship there is a Jockey Of The Month Award, for which all members of the weighing room are eligible. Each month the winner receives 1,000, as well as 500 for a charity of their choice and the two runners-up 500 each. MAY 2017: JUNE 2017: JULY 2017: AUGUST 2017: RYAN MOORE SILVESTRE DE SOUSA FRANKIE DETTORI SILVESTRE DE SOUSA SEPTEMBER 2017: GEORGE WOOD STANDINGS AS OF 30TH JUNE 2017 POSITION JOCKEY WINNERS RIDES STRIKE RATE 1st Silvestre De Sousa % 2nd Ryan Moore % 3rd William Buick % 4th Jim Crowley % 5th Danny Tudhope % 6th Paul Mulrennan % 7th P J McDonald % 8th Andrea Atzeni % 9th Luke Morris % 10th Paul Hanagan % PAGE 40 PAGE 41

22 STANDINGS AS OF 31ST JULY 2017 POSITION JOCKEY WINNERS RIDES STRIKE RATE 1st Silvestre De Sousa % 2nd Jim Crowley % 3rd Danny Tudhope % 4th William Buick % 5th Ryan Moore % 6th P J McDonald % 7th Luke Morris % 8th Oisin Murphy % 9th Paul Mulrennan % 10th Andrea Atzeni % STANDINGS AS OF 31ST AUGUST 2017 POSITION JOCKEY WINNERS RIDES STRIKE RATE 1st Silvestre De Sousa % 2nd Jim Crowley % 3rd Danny Tudhope % 4th Ryan Moore % 5th Joe Fanning % 6th Paul Mulrennan % 7th Luke Morris % 8th Oisin Murphy % 9th P J McDonald % 10th William Buick % STANDINGS AS OF 30TH SEPTEMBER 2017 POSITION JOCKEY WINNERS RIDES STRIKE RATE 1st Silvestre De Sousa % 2nd Jim Crowley % 3rd Ryan Moore % 4th Daniel Tudhope % 5th James Doyle % 6th Joe Fanning % 7th Oisin Murphy % 8th Luke Morris % 9th P J McDonald % 10th Andrea Atzeni % 2017 STOBART FLAT CHAMPION JOCKEY SILVESTRE DE SOUSA He may have spent most of the season playing down his prospects of a second Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship crown, but when it comes to Silvestre De Sousa, followers of the sport have come to understand that the Brazillian s actions often speak louder than his words. While other recent renewals of the Championship have proved closely-fought affairs, June was the month in which it became clear to all that Silvestre De Sousa s hunger for riding winners remained insatiable. Having ended the previous month tied with William Buick for winners, and with a host of other top-notch jockeys snapping at his heels, an incredible 40 victories from 164 rides well over one per day at an impressive 24% strike-rate saw him burst into a clear advantage in the standings over another former champion in Ryan Moore. There was no let-up from that point either for De Sousa, his continuing associations with Mark Johnston, Saeed bin Suroor, Roger Varian and other leading yards yielding frequent victories from the furthest points north to the South Coast. De Sousa made it clear at the start of the year that he hoped to secure more rides in the very best races and he has been handed mounts in Classics and other Group 1s this year, albeit while still searching for another big-race triumph. However, the 36-year-old has still showcased his talent on the major occasions on numerous occasions, not least when winning the Doncaster Cup aboard Desert Skyline for David Elsworth, having also taken the Coral Distaff for the same trainer on the cunningly-ridden Tisbutadream whose all-the-way victory was a lesson in managing front-running fractions. Doncaster s big Group Two QIPCO British Champions Series prize was De Sousa s first time aboard three-year-old Desert Skyline, but the pair struck up an immediate rapport and Elsworth was left to admire the sort of good ride you just expect from him every time after they had scored by a length and a half. But it is nearer to his Newmarket home that he has proved most profitable to follow this season, with a sparkling total of 20 victories at Great Yarmouth. At one fixture in June, he rode a four-timer at the seaside track, then just two days later improved upon that performance when heading to Sandown and partnering five winners. De Sousa s reaction to such a devastating run of success was typically unassuming. I ve been lucky to be riding the right horses, he said. I couldn t do it without the support of owners and trainers so the thanks must go to them. It was that burst of form, however, which effectively killed off the championship race and none of his rivals have from that point ever threatened to throw down a challenge. De Sousa promised to keep pushing right to the end of the season and the victories have continued to flow. He reached 100 winners for the championship season on August 9 at Brighton aboard Al Ozzdi for Simon Crisford. Hitting the century had taken him just 96 days, compared 137 days the year before and 120 in his previous championshipwinning season in On 29 of those 96 days, he had returned home with a haul of two or more winners. That s not to say that those who have finished behind him in the final standings haven t themselves enjoyed outstanding campaigns. Reigning champion Jim Crowley has not only enjoyed a solid debut season as the retained rider for Hamdan al Maktoum, but also made the most of other opportunities, including a highlysuccessful association with Coral-Eclipse Stakes and Juddmonte International winner Ulysses. Ryan Moore s commitments to Aidan O Brien s team have required him to ride regularly in Ireland and elsewhere, restricting his opportunities in Britain, but along with Godolphin riders William Buick and James Doyle, his strike-rate stands out. Flying the flag for racing in the north, Danny Tudhope, Joe Fanning and PJ McDonald have all also enjoyed highly-successful seasons, the first-named giving his supporters an impressive profit for a levelstakes outlay on all of his rides. PAGE 42 PAGE 43

23 STOBART CHAMPION APPRENTICE TITLE RACE Rather than spending the winter at the mercy of the British weather, Egan will return to the US where he enjoyed spending time working for Jose Corrales at Laurel Park last year. I learnt so much there about timing and style and I m looking forward to going back out, he says. I also rode for Wesley Ward when he brought horses over for Ascot this year and that s another possible opportunity before I come back for the start of next season. Clearly putting in some travel miles doesn t bother the rider, as his trusty Seat hatchback can attest to. Having spent years waiting to be able to drive and only finally getting my licence at the start of the year, I m already sick of spending most of my life on motorways, so it will be nice to get away from that for a couple of months! he says. A couple of years older than Egan is Shoemark, who proved an instant hit as an apprentice when first taking out a licence in 2014, riding 21 winners in his first season when based with Andrew Balding. However, things failed to spiral as might have been expected and he struggled for chances within a stable blessed with other young riding talent. A change of focus, helped by his jockey coach John Reid, and a move to Charlton s yard in 2016, have seen the victories start to flow again and after riding a treble at Epsom from three rides on July 13, he lost his allowance. Happily for Shoemark, the winners have not stopped coming since and he has continued to ride for a number of leading stables, most notably that of John Gosden. From the shortest race to the longest, 2017 has been a year of tight finishes at the highest level of British Flat racing. Across the spectrum of race distances, from the Coolmore Nunthorpe to the Coral-Eclipse and up as far as the Gold Cup, the eagle eye of the judge has been needed to identify the winner. Could we be in for a similarly tight finish to this year s Stobart Champion Apprentice title? David Egan and Kieran Shoemark are the pair set to scrap it out to the finish in search of the crown and the 5,000 first prize. Heading into the final days of the season it was Egan, who with 15 winners in August put distance between himself and his closest pursuers, who led the championship standings. Whether or not he is ultimately handed the title, it has undoubtedly been an outstanding year for the 18-year-old who only rode his first winner little more than a year ago. Having ridden in pony races in Ireland, Egan left as a 16-year-old to train at the British Racing School and has been working since in Newmarket for Roger Varian and lives just outside the town with his father, and senior jockey, John. I couldn t be happier with how the year has gone, says Egan. Dad has been really helpful to me, always giving me advice, and I think he has enjoyed a bit of extra rivalry too. There was one day in July where we had both ridden exactly the same number of winners from the same number of rides over the course of the year, which was pretty amazing. I m very grateful for all of the support I ve been given by owners and trainers and hopefully I can keep things moving forwards. I could have stayed in Ireland but there are some good apprentice jockeys who struggle to get rides there as just aren t as many opportunities. Working at Mr Varian s stable is a great place to be as there are so many nice horses around and good riders to work alongside. When I was starting out, I got great advice from the likes of Andrea Atzeni, Jack Mitchell, Paul Eddery, John Lowe and Harry Bentley. It s been a thrill to have rides at big meetings like Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood and to have a couple of rides in Listed races where trainers have been prepared to put me up even though I haven t been able to ride with my allowance. KIERAN SHOEMARK Every apprentice jockey knows that riding out your claim is a significant milestone, says Shoemark. But the reassuring thing was that trainers who had been giving me rides when I was claiming were still happy to do so after I d lost it. That was important. It s been a great year. I know that part of the reason why I have picked up chances for Mr Charlton is because of the injury that happened to George Baker. He s a great bloke and a good friend and that wasn t easy. But at the same time I have been really grateful to Mr Charlton for his support and encouragement and the way things have gone have really exceeded my expectations. Another rider to have enjoyed a fine season is George Wood. The 19-year-old from Essex secured the biggest win of his career so far when God Given landed the Listed BetBright Aphrodite Stakes at Newmarket in July. Wood is attached to the stable of James Fanshawe, but has picked up a number of rides for other major stables, including God Given s trainer Luca Cumani. It was Hollie Doyle who cut out the initial pace in the championship, showing on several occasions just what a polished rider she has developed into. However, a fractured collarbone, sustained in a heavy fall at Goodwood in June, cost her important momentum and forced her on to the sidelines for over a month. She remains a young rider to follow, as is Callum Rodriguez, who made headlines when riding Nakeeta to take the valuable Betfred Ebor at York and impressed with his coolness on and off the track. STANDINGS AS OF MONDAY 16TH OCTOBER 2017 POSITION JOCKEY WINNERS RIDES STRIKE RATE 1st David Egan % 2nd Kieran Shoemark % 3rd George Wood % 4th Hollie Doyle % 5th Lewis Edmunds % 6th Callum Rodriguez % 7th Edward Greatrex % 8th Hector Crouch % GEORGE WOOD HOLLIE DOYLE 9th Adam McNamara % 10th Charlie Bennett % PAGE 44 PAGE 45

24 WINNING RECORDS OF JOCKEYS ON QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY NO. OF WINS DATE RACE WINNER SP JOCKEY OWNER Andrea Atzeni (2) 17/10/15 QIPCO British Champions Simple Verse 5/1 Ralph Beckett QRL/Sheikh Suhaim Al Thani/ Fillies & Mares Stakes M Al Kubaisi 15/10/16 Balmoral Handicap Yuften 12/1 Roger Charlton Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar George Baker (1) 19/10/13 QIPCO British Champions Seal Of Approval 16/1 James Fanshawe T R G Vestey Fillies & Mares Stakes Jim Crowley (1) 18/10/14 QIPCO British Champions Madame Chiang 12/1 David Simcock Miss K Rausing Fillies & Mares Stakes Matthew Davies (1) 15/10/11 Future Stars Handicap Edinburgh Knight 18/1 Paul D Arcy Knights Racing Silvestre De Sousa (1) 19/10/13 QIPCO Champion Stakes Farhh 11/4 Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Frankie Dettori (2) 17/10/15 QIPCO British Champions Flying Officer 6/1 John Gosden Mr George Strawbridge Long Distance Cup 15/10/16 QIPCO British Champions Journey 4/1 John Gosden Mr George Strawbridge Fillies & Mares Stakes George Downing (1) 20/10/12 Future Stars Handicap Jack Dexter 11/2 Jim Goldie Jim Goldie Racing Club James Doyle (1) 18/10/14 QIPCO Champions Stakes Noble Mission 7/1 Lady Cecil Khalid Abdullah Edward Greatrex (1) 17/10/15 Balmoral Handicap Musaddas 7/1 Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Maxime Guyon (1) 17/10/15 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Solow 10/11F Freddy Head Wertheimer et Frere Paul Hanagan (1) 17/10/15 QIPCO British Champions Muhaarar 5/2F Charlie Hills Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum Sprint Stakes Martin Harley (1) 15/10/16 QIPCO British Champions Sheikhzayedroad 11/1 David Simcock Mohammed Jaber Long Distance Cup Richard Hughes (1) 19/10/13 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Olympic Glory 11/2 Richard Hannon Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani Wayne Lordan (2) 19/10/13 QIPCO British Champions Slade Power 7/1 Edward Lynam Mrs S Power Sprint Stakes 18/10/14 QIPCO British Champions Gordon Lord Byron 5/1JF Tom Hogan Dr Cyrus Poonawalla & Sprint Stakes Morgan L Cahalan Ryan Moore (1) 15/10/16 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Minding 7/4F Aidan O Brien D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor Johnny Murtagh (3) 15/10/11 QIPCO British Champions Deacon Blues 5/1F James Fanshawe Jan and Peter Hopper & Sprint Stakes Michelle Morris 15/10/11 QIPCO British Champions Dancing Rain 6/1 William Haggas M J & L A Taylor Fillies & Mares Stakes 19/10/13 QIPCO British Champions Royal Diamond 20/1 Johnny Murtagh Andrew Tinkler Long Distance Cup Joseph O Brien (1) 20/10/13 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Excelebration 10/11F Aidan O Brien D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor Olivier Peslier (1) 18/10/14 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Charm Spirit 5/1 Freddy Head H H Sheikh Abdulla Bin Khalifa Al Thani Tom Queally (3) 15/10/11 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Frankel 4/11F Sir Henry Cecil Khalid Abdullah 20/10/11 QIPCO Champion Stakes Frankel 2/11F Sir Henry Cecil Khalid Abdullah 15/10/16 QIPCO British Champions The Tin Man 13/2 James Fanshawe Fred Archer Racing - Ormonde Sprint Stakes Pat Smullen (4) 20/10/12 QIPCO British Champions Rite Of Passage 8/1 Dermot Weld Dr R Lambe Long Distance Cup 20/10/12 QIPCO British Champions Sapphire 5/2JF Dermot Weld Moyglare Stud Farm Fillies & Mares Stakes 18/10/14 QIPCO British Champions Forgotten Rules 3/1 Dermot Weld Moyglare Stud Farm Long Distance Cup 17/10/15 QIPCO Champion Stakes Fascinating Rock 10/1 Dermot Weld Newtown Anner Stud Farm Christophe Soumillon (2) 15/10/11 QIPCO Champion Stakes Cirrus Des Aigles 12/1 Mme C Barande-Barbe Jean-Claude-Alain Dupouy 15/10/16 QIPCO Champion Stakes Almanzor 11/8F Jean-Claude Rouget Ecurie Antonio Caro Jamie Spencer (2) 15/10/11 QIPCO British Champions Fame And Glory 3/1 Aidan O Brien Mrs F Hay, D Smith, Long Distance Cup Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor 20/10/12 QIPCO British Champions Maarek 5/1 David Nagle Lisbunny Syndicate Sprint Stakes Louis Steward (1) 18/10/14 Balmoral Handicap Bronze Angel 20/1 Marcus Tregoning Lady Tennant Lewis Walsh (1) 19/10/13 Future Stars Handicap Breton Rock 12/1 David Simcock John Cook PAGE 46 RYAN MOORE 2017 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES WINNERS (10): CHURCHILL (QIPCO 2000 Guineas), DARTMOUTH (Betway Yorkshire Cup), WINTER (Coronation Stakes & Qatar Nassau Stakes), HIGHLAND REEL (Investec Coronation Cup & Prince of Wales s Stakes), CARAVAGGIO (Commonwealth Cup), ROLY POLY (Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes & Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes) & CAPRI (William Hill St Leger). Ryan Moore rarely goes more than a day or two without a winner, so it can only have been a statistical anomaly that the worldclass rider had to wait until Minding, his 26th QIPCO British Champions Day ride, finally snapped a surprising losing sequence when taking the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at last year s meeting. Moore must have started the day expecting his first victory at the meeting, first staged in 2011, to have come earlier. His first three rides on the card, Order Of St George, Twilight Son and Seventh Heaven, were all strongly fancied, but failed to deliver and finished out of the frame. Expectation mounted, therefore, upon the amazing Aidan O Brien-trained filly Minding as the time grew nearer for her to tackle high-class opposition from across both sexes and different age groups. Not for the first time though, all doubts were erased as she produced another top-drawer performance to repel the late thrust of Ribchester and landed the spoils by half a length. It was her seventh Group 1 success, including three earlier victories in previous 2016 QIPCO British Champions Series contests. I am really delighted, said Moore afterwards. This is some performance she s had a hard year and Aidan has freshened her up and brought her back to a mile. It is some achievement to see off the colts and she has done it the hard way. She was just too good and too strong for them. She has lots of pace and has masses of talent. Moore, 34, has been among the world s elite jockeys for over a decade. Brothers Jamie and Josh both ride over jumps, and it was over hurdles that Ryan Moore enjoyed his first success, scoring aboard Mersey Beat, trained by his father Gary, at Towcester as a 17-year-old. However, he quickly made his mark on the Flat, being crowned Champion Apprentice in 2003 before his first major role arrived when appointed stable jockey to Sir Michael Stoute in He was formally signed up to ride for Ballydoyle at the start of Moore has been champion jockey in Britain three times in 2006 (with 182 wins), 2008 (192) & 2009 (178). In recent years, Moore s commitments to ride outside of the UK and his popularity in the Far East have seen him scale down the number of mounts he takes in Britain. However, he remains a go-to jockey of choice for many of the top trainers when not riding for O Brien or Stoute, and he has claimed important successes already this season for the likes of Richard Hannon, Mark Johnston, Chris Wall, Willie Mullins, Henry Candy and Roger Charlton. He partnered the Stoute-trained Dartmouth to victory in the colours of The Queen in the Betway Yorkshire Cup, the opening leg in the Long Distance division of the QIPCO British Champions Series. However, all of Moore s British Group 1 wins so far this year and all of his other QIPCO British Champions Series successes have come in Coolmore silks aboard O Brien-trained horses. Winter may have surprised some when striking in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas, but she has gone on to prove herself a star in taking two further QIPCO British Champions Series, the Coronation Stakes and the Qatar Nassau Stakes, the latter two victories coming under Moore. The rider has also landed a pair of QIPCO British Champions Series successes apiece aboard Highland Reel and Roly Poly and other wins on Churchill, Caravaggio and Capri. With horses of that quality to partner, although it might have taken Moore six years to secure a first QIPCO British Champions Day success, it s close to a racing certainty that he won t have to wait for as long again. RYAN MOORE S FORM FIGURES QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPION SERIES ST 2ND 3RD 4TH PAGE 47 5TH 6TH 10TH

25 WINNING RECORDS OF TRAINERS ON QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY NO. OF WINS DATE RACE WINNER SP JOCKEY OWNER Mme C Barande-Barbe (1) 15/10/11 QICPO Champion Stakes Cirrus Des Aigles 12/1 Christophe Soumillon Jean-Claude-Alain Dupouy Ralph Beckett (1) 17/10/15 QIPCO British Champions Simple Verse 5/1 Andrea Atzeni QRL/Sheikh Suhaim Al Thani/ Fillies & Mares Stakes M Al Kubaisi Sir Henry Cecil (2) 15/10/11 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Frankel 4/11F Tom Queally Khalid Abdullah 20/10/12 QIPCO Champion Stakes Frankel 2/11F Tom Queally Khalid Abdullah Lady Cecil (1) 18/10/14 QIPCO Champion Stakes Noble Mission 7/1 James Doyle Khalid Abdullah Roger Charlton (1) 15/10/16 Balmoral Handicap Yuften 12/1 Andrea Atzeni Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar Paul D Arcy (1) 15/10/11 Future Stars Handicap Edinburgh Knight 18/1 Matthew Davies Knights Racing James Fanshawe (3) 15/10/11 QIPCO British Champions Deacon Blues 5/2F Johnny Murtagh Jan and Peter Hopper & Sprint Stakes Michelle Morris 19/10/13 QIPCO British Champions Seal Of Approval 16/1 George Baker T R G Vestey Fillies & Mares Stakes 15/10/16 QIPCO British Champion The Tin Man 13/2 Tom Queally Fred Archer Racing - Ormonde Sprint Stakes Jim Goldie (1) 20/10/12 Future Stars Handicap Jack Dexter 11/2 George Downing Jim Goldie Racing Club John Gosden (2) 17/10/15 QIPCO British Champions Flying Officer 6/1 Frankie Dettori Mr George Strawbridge Long Distance Cup 15/10/16 QIPCO British Champions Journey 4/1 Frankie Dettori Mr George Strawbridge Fillies & Mares Stakes William Haggas (1) 15/10/11 QIPCO British Champions Dancing Rain 6/1 Johnny Murtagh M J & L A Taylor Fillies & Mares Stakes Richard Hannon (1) 19/10/13 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Olympic Glory 11/2 Richard Hughes Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani Freddy Head (2) 18/10/14 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Charm Spirit 5/1 Olivier Peslier H H Sheikh Abdulla Bin Khalifa Al Thani 17/10/15 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Solow 10/11F Maxime Guyon Wertheimer et Frere Charlie Hills (1) 17/10/15 QIPCO British Champions Muhaarar 5/2F Paul Hanagan Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum Sprint Stakes Tom Hogan (1) 18/10/14 QIPCO British Champions Gordon Lord Byron 5/1JF Wayne Lordan Dr Cyrus Poonawalla & Sprint Stakes Morgan L Cahalan Edward Lynam (1) 19/10/13 QIPCO British Champions Slade Power 7/1 Wayne Lordan Mrs S Power Sprint Stakes Johnny Murtagh (1) 19/10/13 QIPCO British Champions Royal Diamond 20/1 Johnny Murtagh Andrew Tinkler Long Distance Cup Aidan O Brien (3) 15/10/11 QIPCO British Champions Fame And Glory 3/1 Jamie Spencer Mrs F Hay, D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, Long Distance Cup M Tabor 20/10/12 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Excelebration 10/11F Joseph O Brien D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor 15/10/16 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Minding 7/4F Ryan Moore D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor David Nagle (1) 20/10/12 QIPCO British Champions Maarek 5/1 Jamie Spencer Lisbon Syndicate Sprint Stakes Jean-Claude Rouget (1) 15/10/2016 QIPCO Champion Stakes Almanzor 11/8F Christophe Soumillon Ecurie Antonio Caro David Simcock (3) 19/10/13 Future Stars Handicap Breton Rock 12/1 Lewis Walsh John Cook 18/10/14 QIPCO British Champions Madame Chiang 12/1 Jim Crowley Miss K Rausing Fillies & Mares Stakes 15/10/16 QIPCO British Champions Sheikzayedroad 11/1 Martin Harley Mohammed Jaber Long Distance Cup Saeed bin Suroor (2) 19/10/13 QIPCO Champion Stakes Farhh 11/4 Silvestre De Sousa Godolphin 17/10/15 Balmoral Handicap Musaddas 7/1 Edward Greatrex Godolphin Marcus Tregoning (1) 18/10/14 Balmoral Handicap Bronze Angel 20/1 Louis Steward Lady Tennant Dermot Weld (4) 20/10/12 QIPCO British Champions Rite Of Passage 8/1 Pat Smullen Dr R Lambe Long Distance Cup 20/10/12 QIPCO British Champions Sapphire 5/2JF Pat Smullen Moyglare Stud Farm Fillies & Mares Stakes 18/10/14 QIPCO British Champions Forgotten Rules 3/1 Pat Smullen Moyglare Stud Farm Long Distance Cup 17/10/15 QIPCO Champion Stakes Fascinating Rock 10/1 Pat Smullen Newton Anner Stud Farm AIDAN O BRIEN 2017 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES WINNERS (11): CHURCHILL (QIPCO 2000 Guineas), WINTER (QIPCO 1000 Guineas, Coronation Stakes & Qatar Nassau Stakes), HIGHLAND REEL (Investec Coronation Cup & Prince of Wales s Stakes), WINGS OF EAGLES (Investec Derby), CARAVAGGIO (Commonwealth Cup), ROLY POLY (Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes & Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes) & CAPRI (William Hill St Leger). Having dominated the elite races that make up the QIPCO British Champions Series in 2016, it would scarcely have been fair if Aidan O Brien had gone home from QIPCO British Champions Day without a winner. O Brien had set the tone in last year s Series right from the start when Minding had led home a for the stable in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas and the strength of the bloodlines at his disposal were highlighted by the fact that all 10 of his Series winners were sons or daughters of champion stallion Galileo. However, despite his considerable success at home and in Britain in recent years, O Brien has not always found success on QIPCO British Champions Day so easy to come by. Minding was just his third winner at the meeting after Excelebration s facile display in the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and success for Fame And Glory in the 2011 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup. One of his most obvious contenders for this year s meeting, Order Of St George, illustrated how hard it can be to keep an outstanding racehorse at the top of their game at the end of a long campaign. Coming into the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup at the top of his game on the back of a fine third place in the Qatar Prix de l Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly, the effects of that contest possibly caught up with him as he could finish only fourth behind Sheikhzayedroad. Having finished fourth to Enable in this year s Arc, can Order Of St George set the record straight this time with an extra week between the two races this year? Minding s success in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes ultimately did not prove enough to help O Brien reach the mark of 25 set by Bobby Frankel for the most international top-level successes in a year. But the trainer is rapidly moving towards achieving that target in Born on October 16th, 1969, O Brien was a champion amateur jockey over jumps in Ireland, and began his training career with jumpers before taking over from the unrelated Vincent O Brien at the famous Ballydoyle stables in County Tipperary. In the 21 years since, he has emerged as the pre-eminent training force in racing in Britain and Ireland. Not only has O Brien trained a number of great racehorses, but he has also worked hand in hand with the Coolmore breeding operation to produce and promote a number of top-class stallions whose influence will be felt within racing for generations to come. The likes of Giant s Causeway, Hawk Wing, High Chaparral, Johannesburg, Mozart, Rock of Gibraltar, Fame And Glory, St Nicholas s Abbey, Camelot, Yeats and Galileo himself trip off the tongue of every racing fan. All were champions and multiple Group 1 winners. This year, O Brien has continued in his usual vein, with a series of big-race wins in Ireland and in Britain, including victories in four of the five British Classics and a total of 11 triumphs already this year in the QIPCO British Champions Series. Furthermore, there is every chance that some of the names of those successful stars may in the future be mentioned in the same breath as the Ballydoyle greats above. AIDAN O BRIEN S FORM FIGURES QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPION SERIES ST 2ND 3RD 4TH 5TH 6TH 7TH 8TH 9TH 10TH 11TH 12TH 15TH 17TH PAGE 48 PAGE 49

26 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES CHAMPION OWNER The plates shifted again under Sheikh Mohammed s all-powerful Godolphin operation in 2017, but the ultimate result was success a twelfth British champion owners title and a series of big-race victories throughout the year. While the departure of the Sheikh s longstanding right-hand-man John Ferguson in June took many by surprise, it didn t stop the flow of winners and within a matter of days, the Sheikh and his family were in the winner s enclosure on no less than six occasions during Royal Ascot week. Ferguson s influence, whether through the purchase of some of those winners or with the systems he put into place while serving as Chief Executive, was clear in several of those successes. Characteristically, Godolphin s greatest moments this year have come all around the world, but on these shores it has been Ribchester, Barney Roy and Harry Angel who have flown the flag highest, along with the likes of Benbatl, Hawkbill and Frontiersman for Godolphin s own private trainers, Saeed bin Suroor and Charlie Appleby. Third in Dubai on his first start of the year, Ribchester returned to produce an outstandingly dominant display in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in May, overcoming the potential obstacle of a comatose start from a stablemate expected to give him a lead in the early stages of the race, by making his own running and simply pulling away from the front. Then, the following month at the Royal meeting at this track and on a much quicker surface, he produced arguably the greatest performance of his career when beating an international field with depth and quality. Beaten afterwards in a monsoon at Goodwood, Ribchester has since returned to winning form in France with a fourth Group 1 success. Successful on the same day at Royal Ascot was Barney Roy, who lowered the colours of dual Guineas winner Churchill in the St James s Palace Stakes, and then went down with all guns blazing when losing out in one of the finishes of the season to Ulysses in Sandown s Coral-Eclipse. His trainer Richard Hannon has long had QIPCO British Champions Day in his sights for Barney Roy and the imposing three-year-old gets the chance to end the season on a high this afternoon. Also set to be in action today is Harry Angel, whose performances in the very top sprints have lit up the second half of the season. Trained by the brilliant Clive Cox, he reversed Commonwealth Cup form with Caravaggio when taking the Darley July Cup and then captured a second QIPCO British Champions Series success in markedly different conditions in the 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock. The team are operating at a noticeably improved overall strike-rate this season and it is Charlie Appleby and Saeed bin Suroor who have between them supplied over three-quarters of their winners, not to mention a host of Group-race victories overseas. Both trainers contributed to the Godolphin tally at Royal Ascot, with the Appleby-trained Sound And Silence supplying a significant two-year-old success in the Windsor Castle Stakes and Benbatl winning the Hampton Court Stakes just days after finishing a sound fifth in the Investec Derby. The surprise victory of Wings of Eagles in that contest, the world s most famous Flat race, ensures that the Coolmore partnership of Mr Derrick Smith, Mrs Sue Magnier and Mr Michael Tabor will also finish high in the final standings this year, with other Coolmore groupings also right behind, confirming that trainer Aidan O Brien has enjoyed another highlysuccessful year with his British raiders. Also enjoying notable success in 2017 has been Sheikh Mohammed s brother, Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, whose blue and white silks have once again been seen prolifically throughout the year, while the remarkable filly Enable has guaranteed a lucrative campaign for her owner and breeder, Prince Khalid Abdullah. QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES AMBASSADORS OISIN MURPHY AGE - 22 YEARS OLD GROUP 1 WINNING FLAT JOCKEY Oisin is without doubt one of the rising stars of the horseracing world. He burst onto the scene in 2013 with a sensational 9,260/1 four-timer on Ayr Gold Cup day, while in 2014 he became the youngest jockey to win a QIPCO British Champions Series race, when at 19 he partnered Hot Streak to victory in the Temple Stakes at Haydock. Coming from a family steeped in racing tradition (his uncle is Grand National winning jockey, turned trainer, Jim Culloty), Oisin has been described by those in racing as a rare young talent and, unsurprisingly, it wasn t long before he was snapped up to become the retained rider for the powerful Qatar Racing operation. Having ridden his first Royal Ascot winner aboard Benbatl, things have continued to get better for Oisin with Group 2 victories on Lightning Spear, Aclaim and Beat The Bank before recording his first and second Group/Grade 1 wins within two weeks courtesy of Aclaim (Qatar Prix de la Foret at Chantilly) and Blond Me (E. P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine). KATARINA JOHNSON-THOMPSON AGE - 24 YEARS OLD ATHLETE - HEPTATHLON & HIGH JUMP One of the greatest all-round athletes in the world, Katarina Johnson-Thompson specialises in the Heptathlon but such is her talent that she is amongst the world s best in both the High Jump and Long Jump and has been labelled as the future of athletics. Since winning the World Junior Championships as a teenager in 2012, KJT has become the European Indoor Pentathlon Champion, the World Indoor Long Jump silver medallist and was ranked the world s number one Heptathlete. She is only the second women in history to score points in a Pentathlon and is the current British Record holder in both the Pentathlon and High Jump, having previously held the national record in the Long Jump as well. Katarina finished fifth in both the Heptathlon and Individual High Jump at this year s World Athletics Championships in London. During a visit to the Home of Horseracing, Newmarket, earlier this year KJT commented: It s easy to see there are so many similarities between how a racehorse is trained and how elite athletes train. We both have a team of people that work on all the aspects of performance so that you can hopefully achieve your potential and what we do in the lead up to competitions, how we get prepared in the winter months for the season ahead or a few days ahead of an upcoming race is so comparable to what racehorses do. It made me have huge appreciation for these amazing athletes and the team around them. ADAM GEMILI AGE - 24 YEARS OLD ATHLETE - 100M, 200M & 4X100M A sprint sensation born in London, Adam Gemili is the only man in British history to run sub 10 seconds in the 100m and sub 20 seconds in the 200m. Gemili, who played professional football for Dagenham & Redbridge and spent seven years at Chelsea s youth academy, decided to concentrate on athletics after becoming the 100m World Junior Champion in 2012 where his winning time of 10.05s established a new championship record and enabled him to compete for Team GB at the London Olympics later that year, aged just 18. Since then, Adam has become the European Champion over 200m and 4x100m relay, a silver medallist in the 100m and 4x100m relay at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and captained Team GB athletics team at last year s Rio 2016 Olympics where he agonisingly missed out on a bronze medal, coming fourth in the 200m by 0.003s although finished the year ranked third fastest man in the world over 200m. After an interrupted start to the season through injury, Gemili was part of the 4x100m relay team who won Gold at this year s World Athletics Championships, in doing-so setting a new European and National record time of Adam who visited Longholes Rehabilitation Centre said It is kind of mind-blowing to think that there is so much equipment that is used in athletics which is also used with horses. The fact that there are things such as a horse hydrospa to cool down soft tissue and a water treadmill to build up their endurance and to give them a really good work out is amazing and really impressive it shows just how similar their facilities are and the fact that they re elite athletes too. PAGE 50 PAGE 51

27 BACKGROUND TO QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES AND QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY Now in its seventh year, the QIPCO British Champions Series incorporates Great Britain s top 35 Flat races under one banner to highlight the very best quality of competition the sport has to offer. The ambition of the QIPCO British Champions Series is to increase the appeal of horseracing in this country and in QIPCO British Champions Day, create an iconic and fitting finale to the British Flat racing season, something the racing calendar previously lacked. Some of the world s leading thoroughbred racehorses, the most talented jockeys and trainers, internationally-renowned racecourses and the highest-rated races on earth including two of the top 10 races run anywhere in the world in come together to create a unique offering for existing and new fans of racing. The QIPCO British Champions Series reaches its climax on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday 21st October. Staged for the first time in 2011, Champions Day is the single richest day in the British Flat calendar boasting 4.3 million in prize money. The prize money is spread across the final races in the five Series categories (Sprint, Mile, Middle Distance, Fillies & Mares and Long Distances divisions) as well as the prestigious 250,000 Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored by QIPCO). The race programme consists of four Group 1 races the 1.3 million QIPCO Champion Stakes run over a mile and a quarter, the 1.1 million Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and run over the straight mile course, the 600,000 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, contested over the Derby and Oaks distance of a mile and a half and the 600,000 QIPCO British Champion Sprint Stakes. These races comprise some of the most valuable races of their kind in Europe. The Group 2 450,000 QIPCO Long Distance Cup concludes the Pattern race line-up. Despite its official classification, the Long Distance Cup is effectively a Group 1 race in respect of its conditions, such as no weight penalties for previous Group 1 winners, and attracts a high-class field every year. TITLE PARTNER - QIPCO The Series is sponsored by QIPCO Holding, one of the leading private investment companies in Qatar. Established in 1999, QIPCO has since developed and diversified its range of interests which currently include real estate, construction, oil and gas, finance and health services as well as thoroughbred horseracing. The global racing and bloodstock operations, Qatar Racing and Qatar Bloodstock, are both subsidiaries of QIPCO. Qatar Bloodstock was established in 2010, following the purchase of the world champion miler Makfi - who has since been sold to stand at stud in Japan - and the operation currently stands stallions in Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand. Qatar Investment & Projects Development Holding Company (QIPCO Holding) is a private, family run company owned by six brothers who are members of the Qatari Royal family. The Chief Executive is Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani who together with his brothers, are cousins of the Emir of the state of Qatar. Since the company s inception, the group has diversified to form individual subsidiaries, each operating independently and specialising in various fields of expertise. For more information please visit In 2011 QIPCO became the inaugural sponsors of British Champions Series and in June 2015 a landmark, multi-million pound deal secured QIPCO s ongoing support for the Series and British racing for a further ten years until As the Title Partner, QIPCO enjoys exclusive naming rights for the Series and full partnerships rights for the 4.3 million QIPCO British Champions Day climax at Ascot, which is set to have increased to 5 million when the new contract expires in QIPCO is also the official partner of the Guineas Festival at Newmarket s Rowley Mile Racecourse which launches the British Champions Series with the QIPCO 2000 and 1000 Guineas and is title partner to the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes hosted at Ascot in July. Under the deal signed in 2015, QIPCO is an official commercial partner with Ascot Racecourse, including Royal Ascot. STRUCTURE OF QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES The QIPCO British Champions Series comprises five categories: Sprint Mile Middle Distance Long Distance Fillies & Mares Each division features the seven highest-rated races in each category in Great Britain which culminate in a same-day finale on QIPCO British Champions Day on Saturday 21st October With a collective prize fund of over 18million, the Series is staged across ten of the UK s leading racecourses: Ascot Doncaster Epsom Downs Goodwood Haydock Park Newbury Newmarket s Rowley Mile Newmarket s July Course Sandown Park York The Series encompasses British Flat racing s key festivals including: The QIPCO Guineas Festival The Investec Derby Festival Royal Ascot The Moët & Chandon July Festival King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day Qatar Goodwood Festival The Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival The St Leger Festival PAGE 52 PAGE 53

28 TICKET INFORMATION For tickets to QIPCO British Champions Day on Saturday 21st October head to TICKET PRICES: King Edward VII Enclosure: SOLD OUT Winning Post Enclosure: SOLD OUT Queen Anne Enclosure: 35 Children under 18 and accompanied by an adult: FREE Ticket holders are able to bring children under 18 years of age FREE of charge, however please note that all under 18s must be accompanied by a ticket-holding adult (ID may be required at the turnstiles). FREE STUDENT ADMISSION: students can access their free tickets by registering via the Ascot Racecourse website using the promotional code STUDENTSBCD. Admission will only be granted with a valid photo student ID. TRAVELLING TO ASCOT RACECOURSE Ascot Racecourse is ideally situated in the beautiful, wooded countryside adjoining Windsor Great Park and is approximately a 50 minute drive or train journey from London. Located close to the M3, M4, M40 and M25 as well as to London s Heathrow Airport for international visitors, Ascot Racecourse offers easy access for all racegoers. BY ROAD: FROM LONDON AND THE NORTH M4 Junction 6 onto the A332 Windsor by-pass then follow signs for Ascot FROM THE WEST M4 Junction 10 to the A329(M) signed as Bracknell then follow signs to Ascot FROM THE SOUTH AND EAST M3 Junction 3 onto the A332 signed to Bracknell then follow signs to Ascot FROM THE MIDLANDS M40 southbound, Junction 4. Take the A404 towards the M4 (Junction 8/9). On the M4 head towards Heathrow/ London. Leave M4 at Junction 6 and follow A332 Windsor by-pass to Ascot. For up-to-date travel information tune into BBC Radio Berkshire on 94.5FM or 104.1FM or log onto before you leave to receive a local traffic update. CONTACT LIST NAOMI LAWSON Head of PR, British Champions Series / Great British Racing: nlawson@greatbritishracing.com Tel: STEVEN POWELL Consultant, British Champion Series steven.powell@hotmail.com Tel: NICK SMITH Head of Communications, Ascot Racecourse: nick.smith@ascot.co.uk Tel: JOHN MAXSE All matters regarding QIPCO Holding jmaxse@mac.com Tel: For Media Accreditation for QIPCO British Champions Day, Ascot Racecourse, Saturday 21st October 2017: ASHLEY MORTON-HUNTE Press Officer, Ascot Racecourse: Ashley.morton-hunte@ascot.co.uk Tel: PLEASE NOTE: Metal RCA Press badges are valid for entrance to Ascot on QIPCO British Champions Day on Saturday 21st October They will provide access to the press room and lawn-level media centre. Only members of the national and international racing/ sports media are permitted to enter the Parade Ring. BY RAIL: There are regular services to Ascot from both Reading and London Waterloo using South West Trains. The average journey time is 27 minutes from Reading and 52 minutes from Waterloo. Ascot railway station is a 7-minute walk from the racecourse. PAGE 54 PAGE 55