The 80-race Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series—in which victorious horses earn paid, automatic berths into the Breeders’ Cup races Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita Park—concludes Oct. 21 at Ascot on Qipco British Champions Day.
Of the five group races there over anticipated soggy ground, two of them—the Champion Stakes (G1) and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1)— are designated “Win and You’re In” contests. The Champion Stakes winner earns a berth into the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) Nov. 4, and the Queen Elizabeth II gets a free opportunity to pursue the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T).
With just a 14-day turnaround between Saturday’s races and their Breeders’ Cup events, a horse must exit Champions Day in prime condition to warrant traveling to the United States to race on short rest, paid entrance or not. For a large number of runners, British Champions Day wraps up their seasons.
Last year, Stone Age —racing for Peter Brant and a partnership of Coolmore-affiliated owners—was the only horse to race in both the Champion Stakes (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T), finishing second in the latter race at Keeneland for trainer Aidan O’Brien after a preceding fifth at Ascot. He has raced twice this summer and fall for new trainer Chad Brown, going unplaced, and is not among this year’s current list of prospective Breeders’ Cup starters.
Modern Games raced in 2022 in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, in which he was second, and the Breeders’ Cup Mile, a race he won for Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby.
Third in the Breeders’ Cup Mile was Marcstown Thoroughbreds’ Kinross , who rallied from far back to finish just behind Canadian-based runner-up Shirl’s Speight . Kinross had won Ascot’s Champions Sprint (G1), a race not a part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, and is again back in that six-furlong sprint on Saturday.
Both Kinross and Shirl’s Speight are under consideration for return appearances in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Tahiyra wins the Coronation Stakes at Ascot Racecourse
Paddington is favored for Saturday’s one-mile Queen Elizabeth II, with Tahiyra , Nashwa , and Big Rock being supporting players. Heavy ground could leave some trainers to ponder withdrawing some starters to await the Breeders’ Cup, where firm turf is highly likely at Santa Anita Park in customarily dry Southern California.
Not running Saturday over the testing conditions in the Queen Elizabeth II is Inspiral , leading to speculation that she could start in in the U.S. The Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita is the race fancied by her connections if they opt for the trip to America. A decision on her race plans is to be announced.
Mostahdaf wins the Juddmonte International at York
At 1 1/4 miles, the Champions Stakes is shorter than the 1 1/2-mile Breeders’ Cup Turf. Horizon Dove is the early wagering choice, with other leading contenders being King of Steel , Bay Bridge , Mostahdaf , and Via Sistina . Shadwell’s Mostahdaf already has automatic entrance into the Breeders’ Cup Turf, having won the Juddmonte International (G1) at York this summer.
Breeders’ Cup considers Amo Racing Limited’s King of Steel a possible starter in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at 1 1/4 miles on dirt.
King of Steel wins the King Edward VII Stakes at Ascot Racecourse
Courses for some races on British Champions Day could change.
According to Racing Post, the going on the straight and round courses at Ascot was changed to soft Oct. 19 before British Champions Day after a storm brought overnight rain. More precipitation is forecast.
A decision on whether to switch courses at Ascot for Saturday’s races over 1 1/4 miles, 1 1/2 miles and two miles is expected to be made Oct. 20 if the outer course is classified as heavy, the publication added. The ground on the inner course was described as good, good to soft in places Thursday morning.
Regardless of the limited number of turnaround horses expected after racing on British Champions Day, Europe figures to be well represented in the Breeders’ Cup.
Overseas ante-post wagering—similar to future-book wagering in the U.S.—has several European horses as clear-cut favorites for Breeders’ Cup races. These include Opera Singer for the Nov. 3 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T), Inspiral for the Filly & Mare Turf, and Auguste Rodin for the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
As of Thursday morning, British bookmakers held Paddington at odds of 5-2 to 7-2 for the Breeder’s Cup Mile, even with his presence in Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II.