sign in sign up
<<
Home , 2009 Epsom Derby, Achieved, Adam Kirby, Alice Springs (horse), Almanzor (horse), Amazing Maria

QIPCO MEDIA GUIDE 2017 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | FOREWORD

CONTENTS p01 Foreword Note from the Chief Executive p02 QIPCO British Champions Series Race Schedule p04 The 2016 Series in Numbers p06 Five Magic Moments of the 2016 Series p07 Five of the Best Finishes of the 2016 Series p08 The Millionaires Club p09 The Class of 2017 – Sprint p10 The Class of 2017 – Mile p11 The Class of 2017 – Middle Distance p12 The Class of 2017 – Long Distance FOREWORD NOTE p13 The Class of 2017 – Fillies & FROM ROD STREET p14 Five Flying the Flag Now in its seventh year, the QIPCO British p16 Champions Series incorporates Great Britain’s p Great winners of the 2000 Guineas 18 top 35 races under one banner to highlight the p20 QIPCO British Champions Series Ambassadors very best quality of competition the sport has p22 The Stobart Flat Jockeys’ Championship Contenders to offer. p24 The Stobart Flat Jockeys’ Championship: 2016 Final Standings Last year, a total of £18.8million in prize money available p25 The Stobart Apprentice Contenders across the 35 races, which represents a 43.5% increase in prize money in the five years since its launch in 2011. p26 The Champion Owners’ Title This could not have been without the collaborative p27 QIPCO approach of the industry and the participating racecourses p28 Title Partner – QIPCO Holding working together, which has also resulted in QIPCO British Champions Day becoming firmly established in the autumn racing calendar.

Prize money will increase across the Series in 2017, notably on QIPCO British Champions Day when over £4.3 million in prize money will be on offer, thanks to a further £100,000 being added to the prize fund for the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup.

We remain ever grateful for QIPCO’s valued sponsorship and vision for QIPCO British Champions Day and the Series as a whole.

Rod Street, Chief Executive

British Champions Series

01 THE ROAD TO QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY

MAY

SAT 6TH MAY | NEWMARKET

SAT 21ST OCT | ASCOT QIPCO 2000 THUR 3RD AUG | GOODWOOD WED 21ST JUNE | ROYAL ASCOT GUINEAS (MILE) THUR 22ND JUNE | ROYAL ASCOT WED 2ND AUG | GOODWOOD 2017 QIPCO ROLL OF HONOUR QUATAR NASSAU 2016 GOLD PRINCE OF WALES’S 2015 GOLD CUP QUATAR (FILLIES & MARES) BRITISH 2014 STAKES (MIDDLE DISTANCE) (LONG DISTANCE) (MILE) ROLL OF HONOUR ROLL OF HONOUR ROLL OF HONOUR STAKES 2016 CHAMPIONS 2016 ROLL OF HONOUR SUN 7TH MAY | NEWMARKET 2016 ORDER OF ST GEORGE 2015 (MILE) 2015 2015 TRIP TO 2016 2014 DAY FESTIVAL 2014 2014 2015 BRITAIN’S 2014 QIPCO 1000 WED 23RD AUG | YORK RICHEST RACEDAY GUINEAS TUE 20TH JUNE | ROYAL ASCOT FRI 23RD JUNE | ROYAL ASCOT £4.26M IN PRIZE MONEY TUE 1ST AUG | GOODWOOD FIVE CATEGORY FINALS (FILLIES & MARES) COMMONWEALTH ROLL OF HONOUR QUEEN ANNE INTERNATIONAL 2016 MINDING (MILE) CUP (SPRINT) QUATAR GOODWOOD 2015 LEGATISSIMO STAKES STAKES (MIDDLE DISTANCE) ROLL OF HONOUR ROLL OF HONOUR CUP (LONG DISTANCE) 2014 MISS ROLL OF HONOUR SAT 7TH OCT | NEWMARKET 2016 2016 ROLL OF HONOUR 2016 2015 SOLOW 2015 MUHHARAR FRI 19TH MAY | YORK 2016 2015 2014 2015 BIG ORANGE 2014 KINGDOM OF FRI 23RD JUNE | ROYAL ASCOT 2014 SUN BETWAY THUR 24TH AUG | YORK YORKSHIRE ST JAMES’S CORONATION CHARIOT STAKES PALACE STAKES (MILE) (MILE) CUP (LONG DISTANCE) STAKES AUGUST ROLL OF HONOUR DARLEY YORKSHIRE ROLL OF HONOUR ROLL OF HONOUR 2016 (FILLES & MARES) 2016 SAT 29TH JULY | NEWMARKET OAKS (FILLIES & MARES) 2016 CLEVER COOKIE 2015 GLENEAGLES 2015 ESTORIQUE ROLL OF HONOUR ROLL OF HONOUR 2015 SNOW SKY 2014 KINGMAN 2014 GOSPEL CHOIR 2016 2016 2015 KING GEORGE VI 2015 2014 2014 OCTOBER SAT 20TH MAY | NEWBURY KING’S STAND & QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES (SPRINT) SAT 24TH JUNE | ROYAL (MIDDLE DISTANCE) FRI 25TH AUG | YORK SAT 16TH SEPT | AL SHAQAB ROLL OF HONOUR SPONSORED BY QIPCO LOCKINGE 2016 PROFITABLE ROLL OF HONOUR COOLMORE ST LEGER 2015 GOLDREAM 2016 (SPRINT) (LONG DISTANCE) STAKES (MILE) 2014 SOLE STAKES 2015 POSTPONED NUNTHORPE ROLL OF HONOUR ROYAL ASCOT ROLL OF HONOUR ROLL OF HONOUR 2014 STAKES (SPRINT) 2016 2016 2016 2015 2015 NIGHT OF THUNDER SAT 3RD JUNE | EPSOM 2015 UNDRAFTED ROLL OF HONOUR SAT 15TH JULY | NEWMARKET 2014 2014 2014 2016 MECCA'S ANGEL 2015 MECCA'S ANGEL INVESTEC 2014 FRI 15TH SEPT | DONCASTER DARLEY JULY JUNE DERBY (MIDDLE DISTANCE) JULY (SPRINT) ROLL OF HONOUR CUP WEATHERBYS DONCASTER FRI 2ND JUNE | EPSOM 2016 SAT 8TH JULY | SANDOWN ROLL OF HONOUR 2015 2016 ALIMATO HAMILTON CUP (LONG DISTANCE) 2014 AUSTRALIA 2015 MUHHARAR ROLL OF HONOUR INVESTEC CORAL- 2014 SLADE POWER (LONG DISTANCE) 2016 SHEIZHZAYEDROAD (FILLIES & MARES) 2015 PALLASTOR OAKS FRI 2ND JUNE | EPSOM STAKES ROLL OF HONOUR 2014 ROLL OF HONOUR FRI 14TH JULY | SANDOWN 2016 QUEST FOR MORE (MIDDLE DISTANCE) 2015 MAX DYNAMITE 2016 MINDING SAT 9TH SEPT | HAYDOCK PARK 2015 INVESTEC ROLL OF HONOUR 2014 PALE MIMOSA 2014 TAGHROODA CORONATION 2016 2015 GOLDEN HORN 32RED SPRINT CUP (MIDDLE DISTANCE) 2014 (FILLIES & MARES) SEPTEMBER (SPRINT) ROLL OF HONOUR CUP 2016 POSTPONED ROLL OF HONOUR ROLL OF HONOUR 2015 PETHER’S MOON 2016 ALICE SPRINGS 2016 QUIET REFLECTION 2014 2015 2015 TWILIGHT SON 2014 2014 G FORCE THE JULY ST LEGER FESTIVAL FESTIVAL RACE TYPE RACE TYPE RACE TYPE RACE TYPE RACE TYPE KEY SPRINT MILE LONG DISTANCE MIDDLE DISTANCE FILLIES & MARES

02 03 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | 2016 SERIES IN NUMBERS QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | 2016 SERIES IN NUMBERS

2016 SERI3S 1N 2016 SERI3S 1N NUMB3RS NUMB3RS

£5,648,937 TWO RACES ON QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY PRIZE MONEY WON BY RANKED BY LONGINES IN THE TOP TEN AT THE WORLD’S AIDAN O’BRIEN BEST RACEHORSE & BEST HORSERACE CEREMONY TRAINED RUNNERS IN LONDON. 35RACES THE QIPCO WAS FIFTH AND THE IN THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES 5 ODDS-ON FAVOURITES DEFEATED SERIES WAS TENTH

OFFICIAL RATING OF THE OF THE RACES WERE WON TEN WINS BY HORSES FOR JOCKEY MIGHTY 31 WHO REMAIN IN TRAINING THIS YEAR PLUS SEVEN SECONDS 129 ½ LENGTHS 4THE BIGGEST WINNING MARGIN ACHIEVED BY POSTPONED 387 RUNNERS IN THE INVESTEC ONEAMERICAN-TRAINED IN 35 RACES AVERAGING WINNER FRENCH-TRAINED 11 RUNNERS TEPIN CAME OVER AND PER RACE CONQUERED HER RIVALS - WINNERS IN THE QUEEN ANNE 22THE BIGGEST 1PRICE QEMAH AND ALMANZOR STAKES AT ROYAL ASCOT 2 BOTH FOR WINNER JEAN-CLAUDE ROUGET OF A SERIES RACE WAS 16 WINNING FAVOURITES - THE BIGGEST PRICED OF THEM BEING HARBOUR LAW (9-2) IN THE DARLEY IN THE ST LEGER

04 05 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | FIVE MAGIC MOMENTS QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | FIVE BEST FINISHES

FIVE MAGIC MOMENTS IN THE FIVE OF THE BEST FINISHES 2016 QIPCO BRITISH IN THE 2016 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES CHAMPIONS SERIES

1 HISTORY MADE IN THE ST LEGER 1 THE SUSSEX STAKES Laura Mongan was shaking in disbelief after Harbour Law had won the world’s oldest This was billed as a rematch between Galileo Gold and The Gurkha, who had finished Classic in dramatic fashion - in the process making her the first female trainer to land first and second in the St James’s Palace Stakes, and it did not disappoint. Frankie the race. It was the Epsom-based trainer’s first runner in a Group One race. Before- Dettori dictated on Galileo Gold and it looked like he might confirm the form for a hand, she had secured £207,997 in win prize money on the Flat since 2005. First prize long way, only for The Gurkha to claw him back in the final strides and win by a neck. in the Group 1 contest was £396,970. flew home in third, just a short head further back, in a gripping finale.

FILLY BECOMES A BIG NOISE 2 THE ST LEGER 2 Racegoers were still trying to take in the fact that had unseated his rider The syndicate-owned Quiet Reflection was a relatively cheap purchased at just 44,000 when a second drama was played out. With the odds-on favourite out of the race, guineas, and was steered to glory by former jump jockey Dougie Costello, having his first Housesofparliament and Ventura Storm looked like they were going to fight out the finish. winner on the Flat at Ascot - let alone at the Royal Meeting. It was also a first Royal Ascot The latter won that battle but not the war - Harbour Law wearing the pair of them down success for trainer Karl Burke. to win by half a length.

3 DERBY JOY FOR IRISH VETERAN The 67-year-old has won most of the big races around the world but 3 A tremendous tussle in which five horses flashed past the line almost as one. The photo success in the Derby had eluded him. His chances of breaking his duck seemed remote finish revealed that Twilight Son, partnered by Ryan Moore, had taken the spoils from when Harzand ripped off a shoe while travelling to Epsom, but the overcame that Gold-Fun, with Signs Of Blessing third, Memory fourth and Suedois fifth. The late injury scare to win under , who was also landing the iconic contest for distances were a neck, a short head, a head and another short head. the first time.

4 OH BABY! INCREDIBLE 24-HOUR TREBLE 4 became a Dad for the first time on the morning of Royal Ascot and then, Quest For More was favourite, having made all in the Lonsdale Cup on his previous in the afternoon, won the King’s Stand Stakes aboard Profitable for trainer, Clive Cox. start, and led almost everywhere bar the line. Martin Harley nursed Sheikhzayedroad, The following day, Kirby and Cox combined to strike again with My Dream Boat - the a consistent but notoriously tricky ride, ahead of him right on the line. The winning outsider of the field in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. margin was a nose.

5 FRENCH ACE CONFIRMS HE IS THE REAL DEAL CORAL-ECLIPSE Jean Claude-Rouget resisted pressure to run Almanzor, the highest-rated horse in 5 The uphill finish at Sandown lends itself to great finishes and this was no exception, Europe, on home soil in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and instead stuck to a mile and with Hawkbill and The Gurkha locking horns from two out. The pair had a great scrap a quarter at Ascot on QIPCO British Champions Day. His decision was vindicated, which hung in the balance until late on - Hawkbill keeping on the stronger to win by Almanzor winning in emphatic style by two lengths. The runner-up? , who had half a length. won the Arc in his absence.

06 07 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | MILLIONAIRES CLUB QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | THE CLASS OF 2017

THE SIX MOST VALUABLE GLITTERING CAST FOR JEWELS IN THE SERIES. THE CLASS OF 2017

SPRINT: The sprint category of the QIPCO British Champions Series has all ingredients to satisfy the THE MILLIONAIRES CLUB biggest of appetites among those with a need for speed. Exciting new faces on the scene will include , the spectacular winner of the at Royal Ascot last season. The filly, trained in America by Wesley Ward, won impressively on her return at A record six QIPCO British Champions Series races will be worth seven figures this year after it was revealed in Keeneland already has the King’s Stand Stakes in June on her agenda. February that the Juddmonte International will carry an increased total prize fund of £1 million. The unbeaten was also a taking winner at the royal meeting last year, in the , and Prize-money for the Group 1 contest at York, won by stars such as (2009) and Frankel (2012) in could go down the sprinting path if he is betrayed by lack of stamina over a mile. recent years, has risen by £100,000 and it will become the richest race run on the Knavesmire on August 23, 2017. Aidan O’Brien has said that no horse has clocked quicker fractions than the Scat Daddy colt on the gallops at . The other Champions Series worth at least £1 million this summer are the Investec Derby, QIPCO King George & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Sussex Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and QIPCO Champion Stakes. Another pair of two-year-olds from 2016 who appeal as the type to do well in sprints are , the easy Irish Marketing winner, and , the Duty Free Stakes victor. The Investec Derby, worth £1.5 million, remains the most valuable prize. Queen Kindly, the daughter of Frankel who won the , and the David Elsworth-trained Sir When the Champions Series was launched, in 2011, only two races in its programme were worth £1million or more. Dancealot could also make their mark but last year’s juveniles are going to have to graduate pretty quickly if The Darley and Coolmore Nunthorpe will both see increases to reach their richest ever they are to match strides with the old guard. renewals at £350,000 each, while the Qatar , one of the showpiece staying races of the Mecca’s Angel, the dual Nunthorpe winner, and Twilight Son, a two-time winner in the QIPCO British Champions Series, has been elevated to Group 1 status and will be worth £500,000 – an increase of £200,000 Champions Series, have departed the scene but the likes of Limato, Quiet Reflection, Profitable and The Tin on last year. Man will provide formidable opposition. The Group 2 QIPCO Long Distance Cup will also see an injection of prizemoney with an additional £100,000 Limato was the electrifying winner of last year’s Darley July Cup, when he showed what he was capable of added to its prize-fund courtesy of sponsors, QIPCO. granted 6f and a fast surface. Fourth that day was Profitable, who had earlier won the King’s Stand Stakes.

Quiet Reflection landed the Commonwealth Cup and Sprint Cup in 2016, while The Tin Man delivered on earlier promise when shining in the QIPCO British Champions Sprint at Ascot.

In addition to Caravaggio, O’Brien can call on the likes of Washington DC and Acapulco, while Signs Of Blessing, Growl, Brando, Suedois and Magical Memory will be among others coming to the party.

THE SPRINT RACES SCHEDULE JUNE 20: 5f King’s Stand Stakes £400,000 at Royal Ascot JUNE 23: 6f Commonwealth Cup £400,000 at Royal Ascot JUNE 24: 6f Diamond Jubilee Stakes £600,000 at Royal Ascot JULY 15: 6f Darley July Cup £500,000 at Newmarket AUGUST 25: 5f Coolmore £350,000 at York SEPTEMBER 9: 6f 32Red Sprint Cup £260,000 at Haydock OCTOBER 21: 6f QIPCO British Champions £600,000 at Ascot

08 09 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | THE CLASS OF 2017 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | THE CLASS OF 2017

MIDDLE DISTANCE: The Middle Distance category of the QIPCO British Champions Series is MILE: The class of 2016 took it in turns to beat each other in the mile category. Will it be the same already brimming with quality - regardless of the three-year-olds who emerge on scene. story this season, or will one horse take the division by the scruff of the neck? Almanzor, Minding, , Postponed, Highland Reel and Journey - to name just six - will be waiting for the If you were betting on it, you would imagine the seven races that comprise the division will again be divided. the classic generation.

For example, , whose five wins as a two-year-old in 2016 included two Group 1 victories, is hot favourite The appearances of Almanzor this term will, in particular, be keenly anticipated after the way he excelled in the to win the opening race of the category - the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 6 - but may then second half of last season. move up in distance. His victory in the French Derby marked him down as a top-notch performer but it was his performances in the Those who have made Aidan O’Brien-trained colt ante-post favourite for the Investec Derby at Epsom on June 3 autumn that really made most racing fans sit up and take notice. will certainly be hoping that is is the case. He pounced from off the pace when beating a star-studded field in the QIPCO at Leopardstown in September and then signed off for the year with a stunning debut in the Champions Series - The unbeaten Caravaggio, another colt in the care of O’Brien, also remains a 2000 Guineas possible but there quickening away from and in the QIPCO Champion Stakes. are question marks over his ability to be fully effective over a mile. He could take the sprinting path. Found Jack Hobbs The latter race was named the best race to be run in Britain last year and fifth best run anywhere on the planet at the Three unbeaten colts - Al Wukair, Eminent and - have already put down solid markers this season Longines World’s Best Racehorse & Best Horse Race Ceremony held in London in January. and then, of course, there is , the QIPCO 1000 Guineas favourite. The Jean Claude Rouget-trained colt is the highest-rated horse in Europe - he boasts a mark of 129 - and it is great The Gurkha, winner of the Qatar Sussex last year, and Belardo, who landed the Al Shaqab , have that he has been kept in training. Rouget has already said Almanzor will run in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal been retired. So has , the Irish 2000 Guineas victor. Ascot in June. Might he also examine his stamina by running him in the QIPCO-sponsored King George VI and Queen But many of last season’s top milers will be back for more, and in addition, the outstanding Solow, who raced Elizabeth Stakes over a couple of furlongs further at the same track the following month? only once early last term, is also set to return to the fray. Minding carried all before her last season and achieved four wins in the Champions Series and her versatility - she Minding’s tremendous campaign in 2016 included victories in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas and Queen Elizabeth won at the highest level between eight and 12 furlongs in 2016 - means her trainer, Aidan O’Brien, will have a range of II Stakes. The latter contest was acclaimed as the tenth best race run anywhere in the world at the Longines options. World’s Best Racehorse & Best Horse Race Ceremony at London in January. Meanwhile, Postponed won the Investec Coronation Cup in supreme style last term before dropping back in distance and landing the Juddmonte . She also flourished over middle distances and her versatility means she will have a range of options. He has suffered successive defeats in Dubai this year but , trainer of the six-year-old, is convinced he Galileo Gold won two early races in the mile category last year - the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace will bounce back to his best in the summer. He has pencilled him in for a defence of the Coronation Cup, with a tilt at Stakes - and also went close in the Sussex Stakes before his exploits seemed to catch up with him in the latter the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes - which he won in 2015 - likely to follow. part of the campaign. Jack Hobbs only completed in one race last season because of injury but the 2015 Investec Derby runner-up, who With his batteries recharged, he seems certain to again be a force for the yard of Hugo Palmer. The Lockinge, went one better in the Irish equivalent, indicated he would be making up for lost time when landing the Dubai sponsored by his owners, is already a stated aim. Sheema Classic at Meydan with great authority last Saturday.

Ribchester, placed in the 2000 Guineas and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, appeals as the type to thrive as a four- Highland Reel ran below-par in that contest but it would be folly to write off last year’s all-the-way King George year-old and made an encouraging return in Dubai, while should also make his presence felt. winner.

Solow lit up the Champions Series in 2015, landing the , Qatar Sussex Stakes and QIPCO- Hawkbill, who won the Coral-Eclipse last year, My Dream Boat, who landed the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, and sponsored Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. A leg kept him off the track for most of last season but his Mutakayyef are other older horses who have been kept in training. connections hope he will be ready for Royal Ascot. Three fillies to keep in mind areJourney and Seventh Heaven, both Champions Series winners last year against their own sex, and So Mi Dar, who remains with plenty of untapped potential.

THE MILE RACES SCHEDULE MIDDLE DISTANCE RACES MAY 6: Qipco 2000 Guineas SCHEDULE £500,000 at Newmarket JUNE 2: 1m4f Investec Coronation Cup MAY 20: Al Shaqab Lockinge £400,000 at Epsom £350,000 at Newbury JUNE 20: Queen Anne Stakes JUNE 3: 1m4f Investec Derby at Epsom £600,000 at Royal Ascot £1,500,000 at Epsom JUNE 20: St James’s Palace Stakes JUNE 21: 1m2f Prince of Wales’s Stakes £400,000 at Royal Ascot £750,000 at Royal Ascot AUGUST 2: Qatar Sussex Stakes JULY 8: 1m2f Coral- £1,000,000 at Goodwood £500,000 at Sandown

OCTOBER 7: Kingdom Of Bahrain JULY 29: 1m4f King George VI And Queen £250,000 at Newmarket Elizabeth II Stakes £1,150,000 at Ascot OCTOBER 21: Queen Elizabeth II Stakes AUGUST 23: 1m2f Juddmonte International Stakes £1,100,000 at Ascot £1,000,000 at York

OCTOBER 21: 1m2f QIPCO Champion Stakes £1,300,000 at Ascot

10 11 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | THE CLASS OF 2017 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | THE CLASS OF 2017

LONG DISTANCE: The top four stayers of 2016 - Order Of St George, Sheikhzayedroad, Quest For More and Big Orange - will all be back in action this year. FILLIES & MARES: If 2017 follows the same pattern as 2016, it will not be a case of whether With such as Harbour Law, the St Leger winner, and the stamina-blessed joining them - not Aidan O’Brien-trained runners win a race in the Fillies & Mares category of the QIPCO British to mention Dubai Duty Gold one-two and Beautiful Romance - it is a category that promises to pack Champions Series but, rather, how many? quite a punch. Last year, O’Brien runners dominated the division and, between them, won five of the seven races. When Order Of St George powered to victory in the Gold Cup last June, it seemed he had the potential to dominate the division. The brilliant Minding won the QIPCO 1000 Guineas, Investec Oaks and Qatar , while Alice Springs landed the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes and scooped the Darley Yorkshire Oaks. However, he only ran once more in the Series - when below-par QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup at Seventh Heaven Ascot on Champions Day. Had Alice Springs got going a bit earlier in the (she was a staying-on third) and Seventh not fluffed her lines in the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (she was sent off the 5-4 The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt can be forgiven that run because he had run a mighty race to finish third in the Heaven favourite) then O’Brien might have been toasting The Magnificent Seven. Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe just 13 days before. The bad news for connections of rivals horses is that and remain in He again appeals as the one to beat in the Gold Cup, despite a comeback defeat at the hands of the Jessica Minding, Alice Springs Seventh Heaven training. Harrington-trained Torcedor in the Coolmore Stakes at Naas, and it will be a surprise if he is also not aimed at the Qatar Goodwood Cup given that it has been elevated to a Group 1 and is worth £500,000 this year. Aidan O’Brien-trained Rhododendron is ante-post favourite for the QIPCO 1000 Guineas and Investec Oaks. And if she does not come up to , the master of Ballydoyle also has fillies such asHydrangea , who has Big Orange, winner of the past two renewals of the Goodwood Cup, will not go short of admirers. Neither will already visited the winner’s enclosure this spring, and to call on. Sheikhzayedroad and Quest For More, who dominated the finish of the Doncaster Cup and Long Distance Cup. Not all the top fillies and mares are housed at Ballydoyle, though, and O’Brien is unlikely to have things all his Sheikhzayedroad came out on top each time but Quest For More had earlier taken the honours in the own way. Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup at York. He also enjoyed Group 1 glory in France, landing the . Qemah, trained in France by Jean Claude-Rouget, was a fluent winner of the Coronation Stakes last year. Another to keep in mind for the staying division this year is Simple Verse. Meanwhile, in the care of , was a superb winner of the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & The 2015 St Leger winner was not seen to best advantage on Champions Day, when unleashed over 2m for the Journey, Mares Stakes, and the same trainer also has the services of to call upon. first time, but she remains unexposed over long distances. So Mi Dar Simple Verse, the 2015 St Leger winner, has also been kept in training, although she seems more likely to have Also, remember Flying Officer in the second half of the season. He won the Long Distance Cup on QIPCO her sights trained on races that make up the Long Distance category. British Champions Day in 2015 and that is again likely to be on his schedule.

LONG DISTANCE RACES FILLIES & MARES SCHEDULE MAY 7: 1m QIPCO 1000 Guineas SCHEDULE £500,000 at Newmarket MAY 19: 1m6f Betway Yorkshire Cup JUNE 2: 1m4f Investec Oaks £165,000 at York £500,000 at Epsom JUNE 22: 2m4f Gold Cup JUNE 23: 1m Coronation Stakes £400,000 at Royal Ascot £400,000 at Royal Ascot AUGUST 3: 2m Qatar Goodwood Cup £500,000 at Goodwood JULY 14: 1m Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes £200,000 at Newmarket AUGUST 25: 2m Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup AUGUST 3: 1m2f Qatar Nassau Stakes £200,000 at York £600,000 at Goodwood SEPTEMBER 15: 2m2f Doncaster Cup AUGUST 24: 1m4f Darley Yorkshire Oaks £100,000 at Doncaster £350,000 at York SEPTEMBER 16: 1m6f OCTOBER 21: 1m4f QIPCO British Champions £700,000 at Doncaster Fillies & Mares Stakes £600,000 at Ascot OCTOBER 21: 2m QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup £350,000 at Ascot

12 13 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | FLYING THE FRANKEL FLAG QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | FLYING THE FRANKEL FLAG

FIVE WHO CAN KEEP THE FRANKEL FLAG FLYING

The QIPCO British Champions Series did not so much start with a bang six years ago, but with an explosion as Frankel stormed to victory in the 2000 Guineas. ATTY PERSSE Dam: Dorcas Lane Trainer: Form: 1 About 15 lengths clear at halfway, going the speed of a July Cup sprinter, Frankel ran his rivals ragged. He went on to chalk up nine successive Group 1 wins in the Series, by an aggregate of more than 46 lengths, and was hailed by many Atty Persse is named after the top jump jockey who then became champion as the greatest thoroughbred to walk the turf. trainer in 1930 before eventually retiring in his mid 80s. Let’s hope the equine version can enjoy similar success and longevity! His first 1min 44sec on the Having begun duties at Banstead Manor Stud in 2013, this season will be the first opportunity that his progeny racetrack offered great encouragement, with a fluent win in a mile maiden at have had to make their mark in the QIPCO British Champions Series.. Sandown. Afterwards, saw enough in his ability and potential to It seems fanciful to think any of his sons or daughters will match his exploits but his juvenile performers more than held purchase him. He is entered for the Betfred Stakes and Investec Derby. their own last year.

Here are five who could keep the Frankel flag flying over the months ahead

FAIR EVA EMINENT Dam: Trainer: Roger Charlton Form: 1132 Dam: You’ll Be Mine Trainer: Martyn Meade Form: 11 Fair Eva was as short as 3-1 for the QIPCO 1000 Guineas with several bookmakers last summer after she had followed up a striking debut win Eminent features prominently in the ante-post betting for the QIPCO 2000 at Haydock with an impressive four-length win in the Group 3 Princess Guineas and Investec Derby after his taking win in the bet365 Margaret Stakes at Ascot. However, she did not fulfil lofty expectations on on his reappearance at Newmarket. A feature of that Group Three success was her next two starts when placed in the Lowther and Stakes how strong Eminent was at the finish. He had been Frankel’s 26th individual and, as a consequence, is now freely available at double-figure odds to win runner and became his thirteenth different winner when winning over a mile on at Newmarket on May 7 in the second race of the QIPCO British Champions his debut at Newmarket in late September. A tad slow away, the well-backed Series. Most trainers would be delighted to have a filly placed in two Group 2 6-1 chance (he opened at 12-1) soon made up the lost ground before making races but Roger Charlton was left disappointed. It remains far too early to be headway about halfway. He hit the front a furlong out out and stayed on stoutly writing her off. to to win by the best part of three lengths.

QUEEN KINDLY Dam: Lady Of The Desert Trainer: Form: 13114-4 Dam: Rhadegunda Trainer: John Gosden Form: 1-1 Queen Kindly was one of Frankel’s most successful two-year-olds and is one to keep in mind for this year’s top sprints. Cracksman made his debut at Newmarket four days after QIPCO British Out of a speedy dam, she was twice an easy winner at Catterick and showed Champions Day at Ascot last year and hinted he might be a star turn at the she could mix it with the best when landing the Group 2 Lowther at York in meeting himself one day with a taking display. Held up in mid division, he August. Queen Kindly also lost little in defeat when a half-length third to Brave travelled kindly and ran on well when hitting the front inside the final furlong to Anna in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and she was clearly not at her best score by just over a length. He built on that when getting up close home in the when six lengths fourth to the same rival in the Group 1 Cheveley Investec Derby Trial at Epsom last week and, apparently, something of a slow at Newmarket in October. She was a creditable fifth in the 7f Dubai Duty Free learner, there should be plenty more to come. Stakes on her return at Newbury.

14 15 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | PIGGOTT STILL MAKING HIS PRESENCE FELT QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | PIGGOTT STILL MAKING HIS PRESENCE FELT

PIGGOTT STILL MAKING PRESENCE FELT 60 YEARS AFTER FIRST 2000 GUINEAS VICTORY

Sixty years ago, Harold Macmillan succeeded Anthony Eden as Prime Minister, Norwich City Council became the first British local authority to install a computer and The “Toddlers’ Truce” - an arrangement whereby there were no TV weekday broadcasts between 6pm and 7pm to help parents put their children to bed - was abolished.

And at Newmarket, 21-year-old Lester Piggott was gaining a landmark first victory in the 2000 Guineas aboard . The -trained chestnut was plagued with leg problems and was to race for a fifth and final time a few weeks later when following up in the Derby.

Before 1957, though, he had never ridden the winner of the 2000 Guineas, Oaks, Gold Cup and King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, along with the Falmouth Stakes and July Cup. By the end of it, all those famous prizes had been chalked off his “to do” list and all of which now make-up the 35 race QIPCO British Champions Series.

Carozza, owned by The Queen, provided Piggott with the first of six victories in the Oaks. He made nearly all the running on the well-bred daughter of Dante, who helped Her Majesty be crowned champion owner that year and provided her with her first Classic winner.

Zarathustra gave him the first of his 11 victories in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. The colt won three races over five furlongs as a two-year-old, so few envisaged him being so effective over extreme distances.

Right Boy was the first of six King’s Stand victors, while Sylphide gave him his initial success in the Falmouth Stakes - and six more were to follow.

Piggott’s haul of ten July Cup triumphs began with Vigo. He also won the 1958 and 1959 renewals on for trainer , plus the 1960 running on Tin Boy. Twelve months later, he had the decency to let someone else win it.

One of the greatest jockeys to grace the sport - if not the greatest - Piggott rode his first winner at the age of 12 in 1948 and enjoyed his last in the autumn of 1994 before retiring the following year.

Champion jockey 11 times, he rode almost 4,500 winners in Britain during a period when there is nothing like the amount of racing we have nowadays. Thirty of those victories were in British Classics - that is still six more than and Ryan Moore have managed between them - and it is difficult to think of any significant race which eluded him.

WATCH VIDEO: http://britishchampionsseries.com/video/v/?ytId=rDAdrqxK-b4

16 17 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | TEN GREAT WINNERS QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | TEN GREAT WINNERS

TEN GREAT WINNERS OF THE 2000 GUINEAS

The 2017 QIPCO British Champions Series gets under way at Newmarket on Saturday with the first Classic of the season – the QIPCO 2000 Guineas. Churchill currently heads the market, but can he match the performance of some of these greats? 1947 Trainer: Jockey: Owner: Arthur Dewar 2009 | SEA THE STARS 1986 |

The champion two-year-old of 1946 (unbeaten in four starts) won at Bath on his reappearance in 1947 before starting at 11-8 favourite for the Guineas and romping home by eight lengths, which remains a record margin. 1984 He would have won by a much bigger distance had Gordon Richards not eased him up in the closing stages. Trainer: Vincent O’Brien Jockey: Owner: Tudor Minstrel started at 4-7 for the Derby on the strength of that runaway victory but did not stay, finishing fourth. Unbeaten in four starts as a juvenile and beat Sadlers Wells, his stablemate, on his return. He preserved his 100 1968 percent record when beating the exalted trio of , and in his Guineas and then started odds-on for the Derby. However, he was outstayed by , before going one better in the Irish Trainer: Vincent O’Brien Jockey: Lester Piggott Owner: Raymond Guest equivalent. The American-bred colt was sent off 11-8 favourite and won by a length and a half after having too much speed for , his principal rival, in the closing stages. Showed similar acceleration to win the Derby on his next 1986 DANCING BRAVE start, after which Lester Piggott declared that he was “the best I have ridden.” Piggott, though, had other riches Trainer: Jockey: Owner: Prince Khalid Abdullah to come. His emphatic three-length defeat of , after being sent off 15-8 favourite, helped establish him as 1970 one of the greatest there has been. Unfortunate to lose his unbeaten record in the Derby on his Trainer: Vincent O’Brien Jockey: Lester Piggott Owner: Charles Engelhard next start before famously landing a vintage renewal of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in the autumn. Unbeaten in five starts as a two-year-old, Nijinsky became the first horse in 35 years to win the Triple Crown. 1989 None have managed the feat since. His victory in the Guineas, at 4-7 against 13 rivals, was straightforward. Trainer: Jockey: Owner: Hamdan Al Maktoum He led two out travelling powerfully and was not extended to beat Yellow God by two and a half lengths. Operated under the radar as a two-year-old, winning both his starts (like Dancing Brave before him). He was 1971 a huge gamble for the Guineas, though, after word of sizzling gallops got out and he won by a length as 3-1 Trainer: Jockey: Dick Hern Owner: Jean Hislop favourite. Went on to win the Derby, Eclipse and King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes during a memorable Outstanding colt who won 17 of his 18 races. Faced only five rivals at Newmarket but it was a sparkling renewal, summer. with the three best two-year-olds of the previous season – , Mill Reef and Brigadier Gerard – colliding head on. Mill Reef and My Swallow had won their prep races and started at 6-4 and 2-1, respectively, but Brigadier 2009 SEA THE STARS Gerard, making his reappearance and sent off at 11-2, surged past the pair of them to win by three lengths. Trainer: Jockey: Mick Kinane Owner: 1976 Not an obvious candidate for Guineas glory – he was beaten in his only race as a two-year-old and had an interrupted preparation – but he moved easily throughout and eased a length clear of Delegator, the favourite, Trainer: Jockey: Gianfranco Dettori in the closing stages. Went from strength to strength afterwards, winning the Derby, Eclipse, International Owner: Carlo d’Alessio Stakes. Irish Champion Stakes and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The runaway champion two-year-old of 1975 – he was rated at least 5lb superior to all his peers – won 2011 FRANKEL the Greenham on his return and then decisively beat Trainer: Henry Cecil Jockey: Owner: Prince Khalid Abdullah 16 opponents in the Guineas after being sent off at evens. Started 11-10 favourite for the Derby next time Regarded by many as the greatest thoroughbred to have graced the turf, Frankel was a remarkable six-length but did not last home, finishing fifth. Henry Cecil, the winner – making all and burning off the opposition a long way from home. The 1-2 favourite had been 15 lengths winning trainer, was to keep that in mind more than clear at halfway, setting fractions usually reserved for protagonists in the July Cup. His story was to have many three decades later, when Frankel arrived at his yard. more unforgettable chapters and, by the time he was retired, he had won all 14 of his races – nine of them at Group One level.

1971 | BRIGADIER GERARD

18 19 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | TEAM GB STARS QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | TEAM GB STARS

TEAM GB STARS UNVEILED AS CHAMPIONS SERIES AMBASSADORS

ADAM GEMILI KATARINA JOHNSON-THOMPSON

WATCH VIDEO: http://britishchampionsseries.com/2017/05/02/what-makes-a-champion/

Two of Britain’s biggest athletics stars, Adam Gemili and Katarina Johnson-Thompson, have become the latest ambassadors for this season’s QIPCO British Champions Series.

The superstars of the track will be working closely with their turf counterparts this season and as well as cheering on the likes of Galileo Gold, Churchill and Almanzor, they will also be discovering how the training methods and recovery periods for racehorses compare to their own experiences.

Both are currently in training for the World Championships in London this summer, where Gemili will be looking to add to his the 200m European Champion title he bagged in 2014, whilst Johnson-Thompson will be one of the favourites to land a medal in the heptathlon.

Throughout the Series, the two will help to display the similarities and complexities between the training regimes of elite human and equine athletes.

Gemili said: “I am really looking forward to working with QIPCO British Champions Series and was lucky enough to attend British Champions Day in 2014. I studied sports science at university and have always been fascinated by what, as an athlete, is physically possible so it was interesting to find out how fast a thoroughbred can run and how long for, and the similarities between my training regime and that of a racehorse.

“I was lucky enough to visit Longholes Pre-training and Rehabilitation centre, and see the incredible facilities used to ensure the horses are at peak fitness and lots of the work there is not dissimilar to what me and my coaches will do as I prepare for the World Championships in August.”

Katarina Johnson-Thompson, who trains in Montpellier, France and recently visited Galileo Gold added: “Meeting half a tonne of pure horsepower in Galileo Gold and speaking to his trainer Hugo Palmer about how to prepare horses for Champions Series races was really interesting. Galileo Gold is an amazing horse who I will certainly be following when he returns in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in May.

“I animals and have always loved horses but now I’ve got a better understanding of how they prepare for competition. Seeing how they apply some of the same training methods as an athlete is fascinating and I’m really looking forward to seeing how the season turns out from now until the final race at QIPCO British Champions Day in October.”

20 21 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | CAN CROWLEY RETAIN THE TITLE? QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | THE TOP FIVE CONTENDERS

THE TOP FIVE CONTENDERS

SILVESTRE DE SOUSA Age: 36. Weight: 8st 1lb. Wins: 132. Rides last year: 759. Stobart Championship position: 2. Best available odds: 7-4.

Career highlights: The youngest of ten children in his family, the Brazilian has ridden more than 1,100 winners in Britain since moving here a decade ago and was a runaway winner of the championship in 2015 He gave everything in his title defence and almost enjoyed tasting Classic glory in the St Leger when second aboard Ventura Storm.

PAUL HANAGAN Age: 36. Weight: 8st 2lb. Wins: 60. Rides: 434. Stobart Championship position: 18. Best available odds: 9-4.

Career highlights: The two-time champion (2010-11) enjoyed great success as retained CROWLEY HAS FIGHT ON HIS rider for Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum but lost that position in November. Richard Fahey will provide him with plenty of winners and, like De Sousa, he is able to ride light. Will be HANDS TO RETAIN TITLE hungry to claim a third championship.

The battle for the Stobart Jockeys’ Championship will begin on at Newmarket on Saturday and end on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on October 21. A feature of the past two title Age 38. Weight: 8st 8lb. Wins 148. Rides 759. Stobart Championship position: 1. races is that freelances have claimed the crown, and the bookmakers believe that will again be Best available odds: 8-1. the case with Silvestra de Sousa and dominating the betting. Career highlights: The former jump jockey switched to the Flat a decade ago and has never looked back. The West Sussex-based rider was relentless in his pursuit of the Free of retainers or being tied to one stable, De Sousa It is one of the most high-profile jobs in racing and will title in the second half of last season and ended up winning the title with something triumphed in 2015 and last year he made a bold bid to guarantee rides in many big races - he has already reaped to spare. retain his crown - only for Jim Crowley, another with a the benefit in Dubai this year - but his new role will busy agent, to prove stronger. undoubtedly impact on his chances of riding winners in bulk. Dismissed as a 33-1 chance at the start of the year, the Age: 26. Weight: 8st 1lb. Wins: 88. Rides: 477. 38-year-old ruled with 148 winners, 16 more than De The prospect of him again having 759 rides are slim, to Stobart Championship position: 3. Best available odds: 10-1. Sousa. A distant third was Andrea Atzeni, who finished zero, and that will mean fewer opportunities. To give a with 88. sense of perspective, Paul Hanagan, who was Sheikh Career highlights: Firmly established as among the best jockeys in the weighing room Hamdan’s retained jockey last year, had 434 rides. but commitments to Roger Varian and Sheikh Mohammed Obaid limit some of his Crowley and De Sousa were locked together at one time opportunities. Last season such as Postponed (Investec Coronation Cup and Juddmonte in the summer and the pendulum briefly swung one way De Sousa will fancy his chances of turning the tables but International) and Belardo (Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes) kept him riding high. and the other, but the game changed in September when will he be able to fend off Hanagan? the former broke down long-established barriers and Champion in 2010 and 2011, Hanagan will be a tough nut rode a record-breaking 46 winners. to crack now that he is once more free to ride where and RYAN MOORE Age: 33. Weight: 8st 7lb. Wins: 76. Rides: 330. That was the decisive turning point and meant the last when he wants. His old ally, Richard Fahey, will no doubt Stobart Championship position: 9. Best available odds: 10-1. couple of weeks of the campaign were little more than an provide him with a steady stream of successes and that extended lap of honour for him. will give him a solid foundation to work from. Career highlights: The three-time champion, retained by the powerful Coolmore operation, enjoyed a sensational time in 2016, riding the winners of ten QIPCO British Can Crowley secure back-to-back championships? Champions Series races. However, he is more about quality than quantity and the title The bookmakers think it will be beyond him after his will again not be top of his priorities. appointment, in November, as new first-choice rider to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.

22 23 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | THE STOBART JOCKEYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP 2016 FINAL STANDINGS QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | LEADING APPRENTICE CONTENDERS

THE STOBART FLAT JOCKEYS’ YOUNG PRETENDERS HOPING TO CHAMPIONSHIP 2016 FINAL GET TEENAGE KICKS STANDINGS The leading contenders for the Stobart Jockeys’ Championship are well-known to racing fans RANKING JOCKEY WINS RIDES STRIKE RATE but a couple of challengers for this year’s apprentices’ title will not be such familiar names. 1 Jim Crowley 148 759 19% 2 132 759 17% 2017 CONTENDERS 3 Andrea Atzeni 88 477 18% Rossa Ryan, 16, had a trial at the powerful yard of Richard Nathan Evans (fourth) and George Wood (fifth) will 4 87 463 19% Hannon in January and the pony racing champion from also be back for more, although the former, like Edward 5 Luke Morris 84 756 11% Galway, made such a good impression that he is now Greatrex, is in sight of losing his claim. attached to the yard. 6 83 609 14% One other relatively new name to look out for is Lewis 7 Pat Cosgrave 77 439 18% Connor Murtagh, just a year older, is an inspiration to Edmunds, from Doncaster, who is attached to the stable 8 Adam Kirby 77 483 16% all, having had three major heart operations, the first of of Kevin Ryan. The son of former jockey Jason Edmunds, which when he was only days old. Lewis is from a racing background and spent his school 9 Ryan Moore 76 370 21% holidays riding out at Hambleton Lodge. 10 Paul Mulrennan 73 643 11% His last piece of open-heart surgery was in September. By 11 Frankie Dettori 71 332 21% January, the son of trainer and former jockey Barry was His record when riding horses aged four years or older on riding his first winner. Attached to the yard of Richard the all-weather (21 winners from 78 rides) is, in particular, 12 71 613 12% Fahey, he should get plenty of opportunities and Paul tremendous. Backing him blind in such races, to a £10 13 Richard Kingscote 69 439 16% Hanagan, himself champion apprentice in 2002, will be level stake, would have yielded a profit of more than 14 66 426 15% around to offer advice. £700. 15 Buick 64 347 18% Adam McNamara is also under Fahey’s wing and is 2-1 If he can replicate anything like that on turf over the 16 61 397 15% favourite with Ladbrokes to become champion. months ahead, the others had better watch out. 17 P. J. McDonald 61 570 11% He finished third in the table last year with 39 winners Last year’s winner Josephine Gordon stacked up 50 wins 18 60 407 15% - 11 behind Josephine Gordon, the winner. All bar six of in the title race which went to the wire between her and 19 Paul Hanagan 60 434 14% McNamara’s winners were for Fahey. . 20 Franny Norton 58 384 15% 21 David Allan 57 454 13% 2016 FINAL STANDINGS 22 Tony Hamilton 57 476 12%

23 Harry Bentley 51 298 17% JOCKEY WINS RIDES STRIKE RATE LEVEL STAKE WIN PRIZE TOTAL PRIZE 24 Graham Gibbons 51 403 13% Josephine Gordon 50 444 11% -65.42 £314,496 £472,109 25 Josephine Gordon 50 444 11% Tom Marquand 44 457 10% -163.09 £298,028 £451,959

Adam McNamara 39 346 11% -109.82 £353,354 £499,096

THE STOBART FLAT JOCKEYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP WILL START ON Nathan Evans 31 294 11% -46.40 £247,429 £374,338

SATURDAY AND COVERS WINS FROM QIPCO 2000 GUINEAS DAY George Wood 30 258 12% -28.65 £125,986 £205,120 TO QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY AT ASCOT ON SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER Kevin Stott 29 171 17% +26.68 £132,432 £237,005 THE DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZE MONEY Ed Greatrex 28 300 9% -62.00 £141,586 £338,999 CHAMPION JOCKEY: £25,000 RUNNER-UP: £10,000 CHAMPION APPRENTICE: £5,000 Joe Doyle 25 231 11% -51.58 £108,154 £218,862 LEADING JOCKEY (MOST WINS THROUGHOUT THE FULL CALENDAR YEAR): £15,000 ALL-WEATHER CHAMPIONSHIP: £10,000 PJA WELFARE SCHEME FOR ALL MEMBERS: £25,000 Rob Hornby 22 199 11% -45.00 £140,447 £204,484

Hector Crouch 22 199 11% -31.42 £81,151 £138,363

24 25 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | CHAMPION OWNER TITLE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | BACKGROUND & STRUCTURE

TEN OUT TEN FOR GODOLPHIN QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY

IN CHAMPION OWNERS’ BATTLE Now in its seventh year, QIPCO British Champions Day is the QIPCO British Champion Stakes Flat season finale and climax to QIPCO British Champions Prize Money £1.3 million Unlike the respective jockeys’ championships, the owners’ Sheikh Mohammed’s operation finished with 119 winners, Series. Some of the world’s leading thoroughbred Queen Elizabeth II Stakes version is decided by prize money won rather than including Hawkbill in the Coral-Eclipse, and a prize-money racehorses, the most talented jockeys and trainers, Prize Money £1.1 million internationally renowned racecourses and the highest- number of winners accumulated between the QIPCO haul of £4,213,524. It enabled the boys in blue to emerge QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes 2000 Guineas and QIPCO British Champions Day on on top for the tenth time since 1996, although the race rated races on earth – including two of the top 10 races run Prize Money £600,000 Saturday 21st October, 2017. went to the final day of the season. anywhere in the world in 2016 – come together to create a QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes unique offering for existing and new fans of racing. Prize Money £600,000 It would not have mattered if either criteria were used last In his own name, Sheikh Mohammed took the honours year because Godolphin chalked up more winners and nine times, so it is a prize he is accustomed to winning. Staged for the first time in 2011 QIPCO British Champions The QIPCO Long Distance Cup, though a Group 2 is prize money than any of their rivals. Day is the richest raceday in the British Racing Calendar effectively run with Group 1 conditions, and this year with a record breaking £4.4 million in prize money on the prize money for this contest has been increased to £450,000 offer, across the five championship categories.

SATURDAY QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY 21OCTOBER BRITAIN’S RICHEST RACEDAY SAVE UP TO £25 ON QUEEN ANNE TICKETS ENDS MIDNIGHT THURSDAY 11 MAY

britishchampionsday.com

26 27 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | TITLE PARTNER QIPCO HOLDING QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | CONTACTS

TITLE PARTNER QIPCO HOLDING 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 , and the operation currently stands in Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand.

Qatar investment & Projects development holding company (QiPco holding) is owned by six brothers won 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 specializing in various fields of expertise. for more information please visitwww.qipco.com.qa

In 2011 QIPCO became the inaugural sponsors of British Champions Series and in June 2015 a landmark, multi-million pound deal secured QIPCO’s on-going support for the series and British racing for a further ten years until 2024. CONTACT DETAILS As the title Partner, QIPCO enjoys naming rights for the series and full partnerships rights for the £4.3 NAOMI LAWSON million QIPCO British Champions Day climax at Ascot, which is set to have increased to £5 million when the Head of PR, British Champions Series / Great British Racing: new contract expires in 2024. email: [email protected] QIPCO is also the official partner of the Guineas Festival at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile Racecourse which tel: +44 7881 266 359 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 JOHN MAXSE commercial partner with , including Royal ascot All matters regarding QIPCO Holding email: [email protected] tel: +44 7785 243 232

28 VISIT: BRITISHCHAMPIONSERIES.COM