QIPCO British Champions Series Media Pack 2018

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QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES

MEDIA GUIDE 2018 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | CONTENTS

CONTENTS

P02 The Road To QIPCO British Champions Day 20th October 2018

P04 The 2017 Series In Numbers

P06 Historic Moments - 50 years since Sir Ivor

P07 Established Stars And New Kids On The Block

P08 Emerging Talent

P09 Series Moments - All Set For The 8th QIPCO British Champions Series

P11 The Sprint Category - Pace Aces Set To Hit The Deck Running

P12 The Mile Category - Out With The Old And In With The New

P13 The Middle Distance Category - Superstar Stablemates Set To Return

P14 The Long Distance Category - Gold Cup Protagonists Back For More

P15 The Fillies & Mares Category - O’Brien Holds Another Strong Hand

P16 Record Breaking O’Brien - Set For More Fireworks

P17 20 years since King of Kings

P18 Stobart Champion Flat Jockey Title Race

P19 Stobart Champion Apprentice Race

P20 Owners’ Championship

P21 QIPCO British Champions Day 2018

P22 Title Partner - QIPCO Holding

P23 Contact Details

01 THE ROAD TO QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY 20TH OCTOBER 2018

MAY

SAT 5TH MAY | NEWMARKET

QIPCO 2000 GUINEAS THUR 21ST JUNE | ROYAL ASCOT FRI 22ND JUNE | ROYAL ASCOT THUR 2ND AUG | GOODWOOD WED 22ND AUG | YORK SAT 20TH OCT | ASCOT ROLL OF HONOUR 2017 CHURCHILL THE GOLD CUP THE QATAR NASSAU JUDDMONTE 2018 QIPCO ROLL OF HONOUR COMMONWEALTH STAKES 2017 BIG ORANGE INTERNATIONAL BRITISH CUP ROLL OF HONOUR SUN 6TH MAY | NEWMARKET 2017 WINTER STAKES EBOR FESTIVAL ROLL OF HONOUR ROLL OF HONOUR CHAMPIONS 2017 CARAVAGGIO 2017 ULYSSES QIPCO 1000 WED 20TH JUNE | ROYAL ASCOT DAY GUINEAS WED 1ST AUG | GOODWOOD BRITAIN’S FRI 22ND JUNE | ROYAL ASCOT THUR 23RD AUG | YORK RICHEST RACEDAY ROLL OF HONOUR THE PRINCE OF £4.3M IN PRIZE MONEY 2017 WINTER QATAR SUSSEX WALES’S STAKES FIVE CATEGORY FINALS ROLL OF HONOUR THE CORONATION STAKES DARLEY YORKSHIRE 2017 HIGHLAND REEL ROLL OF HONOUR FRI 18TH MAY | YORK STAKES 2017 HERE COMES WHEN OAKS ROLL OF HONOUR ROLL OF HONOUR 2017 WINTER 2017 ENABLE YORKSHIRE SAT 6TH OCT | NEWMARKET CUP TUE 19TH JUNE | ROYAL ASCOT AUGUST ROLL OF HONOUR THE QUEEN ANNE SAT 23RD JUNE | ROYAL ASCOT FRI 24TH AUG | YORK KINGDOM OF 2017 DARTMOUTH BAHRAIN SUN STAKES THE DIAMOND TUE 31ST JULY | GOODWOOD COOLMORE SAT 19TH MAY | NEWBURY ROLL OF HONOUR CHARIOT STAKES 2017 RIBCHESTER JUBILEE STAKES NUNTHORPE ROLL OF HONOUR QATAR GOODWOOD 2017 ROLY POLY ROLL OF HONOUR STAKES AL SHAQAB 2017 THE TIN MAN CUP ROLL OF HONOUR LOCKINGE STAKES ROLL OF HONOUR 2017 MARSHA ROLL OF HONOUR THE ST JAMES’S 2017 STRADIVARIUS 2017 RIBCHESTER PALACE STAKES JULY OCTOBER ROLL OF HONOUR SAT 28TH JULY | ASCOT WEATHERBYS 2017 BARNEY ROY HAMILTON JUNE SAT 7TH JULY | SANDOWN SAT 15TH SEPT | DONCASTER ROYAL ASCOT KING GEORGE VI LONSDALE CUP & QUEEN ELIZABETH ROLL OF HONOUR FRI 1ST JUNE | EPSOM THE KING’S STAND CORAL-ECLIPSE 2017 MONTALY THE WILLIAM HILL STAKES STAKES STAKES SPONSORED BY QIPCO ST LEGER STAKES INVESTEC OAKS ROLL OF HONOUR ROLL OF HONOUR ROLL OF HONOUR ROLL OF HONOUR ROLL OF HONOUR 2017 LADY AURELIA 2017 ULYSSES 2017 CAPRI 2017 ENABLE 2017 ENABLE SEPTEMBER

INVESTEC INVESTEC TATTERSALLS DARLEY JULY 32RED SPRINT DONCASTER CORONATION CUP DERBY FALMOUTH CUP CUP CUP ROLL OF HONOUR ROLL OF HONOUR STAKES ROLL OF HONOUR ROLL OF HONOUR ROLL OF HONOUR 2017 HIGHLAND REEL 2017 WINGS OF EAGLES 2017 HARRY ANGEL 2017 HARRY ANGEL 2017 DESERT SKYLINE ROLL OF HONOUR 2017 ROLY POLY

THE JULY ST LEGER FESTIVAL FESTIVAL RACE TYPE RACE TYPE RACE TYPE RACE TYPE RACE TYPE KEY SPRINT MILE MIDDLE DISTANCE LONG DISTANCE FILLIES & MARES

02 03 MAY

SAT 5TH MAY | NEWMARKET

THE JULY ST LEGER FESTIVAL FESTIVAL RACE TYPE RACE TYPE RACE TYPE RACE TYPE RACE TYPE KEY SPRINT MILE MIDDLE DISTANCE LONG DISTANCE FILLIES & MARES

03 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | 2017 SERIES IN NUMBERS 2017 SERIES 1N NUMBERS

MARSHA

10,000 MEMBERS OF ELITE RACING CLUB, AIDAN O’BRIEN’S OWNERS OF NUNTHORPE STAKES WINNER SENSATIONAL SEASON MARSHA

FOUR ONEAMERICAN-TRAINED CLASSICS WINNER LADY AURELIA WINNING IN THE KING’S STAND STAKES 17 £6,237,541 FAVOURITES PRIZE MONEY WON

13 SERIES 2004DAYS BETWEEN FRANKEL’S VICTORY IN THE QIPCO CHAMPION VICTORIES STAKES AND HIS SON, 12 CONTRIBUTING CRACKSMAN WINNING TO HIS WORLD RECORD THE SAME RACE 28 GROUP 1 WINS IN THE YEAR

THE REMARKABLE WINNING SEVEN DISTANCE OF CRACKSMAN IN LENGTHS THE QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES

04 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | 2016 SERIES IN NUMBERS 2017 SERIES 1N NUMBERS RUNNERS, AN AVERAGE

396 OF 11 A RACE

TWELVERYAN MOORE 262 SECONDS TO RUN THE LONGEST RIDDEN WINNERS CHAMPIONS SERIES RACE, THE GOLD CUP AT ROYAL ASCOT. A SHORT HEAD DIVIDED BIG ORANGE AND 15 DIFFERENT ORDER OF ST GEORGE AT JOCKEYS THE FINISH ENJOYED AT LEAST ONE WIN

THE SP OF INVESTEC DERBY WINNER 40-1 WINGS OF EAGLES 7 RACES £82.11 PROFIT CARRYING PRIZE MONEY HAD YOU PLACED A OF AT LEAST £10 BET ON ALL CHAMPIONS SERIES RACES (AT SP) £1 MILLION

KING GEORGE VI AND QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES 2ND IN THE LONGINES WORLD’S BEST RACES RANKING

05 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | HISTORIC MOMENTS

HISTORIC MOMENTS THE HORSE HE DIDN’T KNOW SIR IVOR 1968 50 years ago the American-bred, Irish-trained Sir Ivor traveled to England for the first time to win the 2000 Guineas Trial Stakes at Ascot. He started 11/8 favourite for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in which his main rival was expected to be the English colt Petingo. Ridden by Lester Piggott, Sir Ivor accelerated past Petingo in the closing stages to win by one and a half lengths.

Lester Piggott first partnered Sir Ivor in the Grand Critérium in France 1967 and reflecting on his first encounter with him admits “I didn’t really know anything about him, only that he’d won all of his races. That day he was very impressive really, it was October and the ground was very soft, he wasn’t so easy but you had to be very impressed by him.”

Lester went onto partner Sir Ivor in the Guineas trial as Ascot, the 2000 Guineas against Petingo, and then chose to stick with Sir Ivor for the Epsom Derby; “I preferred Sir Ivor because he was going to be more of a Derby horse than Petingo who wasn’t going stay a mile and half, so we were hoping Sir Ivor would. We were taking a chance but we thought that was the best way to go.”

Lester’s favoritism of Sir Ivor was rewarded, with an electrifying surge of speed down the outside to catch the leader Connaught to win the Epsom Derby by one and a half lengths. After the race, Lester described Sir Ivor as “the best I have ridden”.

Lester Piggott has fond memories of Sir Ivor’s playful character. “He was very intelligent he used to play around a bit, he’d like a kick and buck so he wasn’t that easy. He was the best one.”

In a career which lasted from July 1967 to October 1968 the horse ran thirteen times and won eight races including major races in four countries: the National Stakes in Ireland, the Grand Criterium in France, the 2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and Champion Stakes in England and the Washington, D.C. International in the United States.

Sir Ivor was retired after his 3-year-old racing season and sold to a syndicate to stand at stud at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky. Being so fond of him, Lester went to visit him enjoying his retirement. He sired 94 stakes winners and was the broodmare sire of more than 145 stakes winners before his death at age 30 in 1995.

Watch Lester Piggott discuss Sir Ivor here: http://bcseri.es/SirIvor68

06 07 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | ESTABLISHED SERIES STARS SET TO RETURN

ESTABLISHED STARS AND NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

QIPCO British Champions Series always provides a quality mixture of proven talent with unpredictable newbies. Here are four proven stars preparing to again shine brightly, alongside four emerging talents who may take centre stage.

CRACKSMAN Champions Series form: 31 The Frankel colt thrived on his racing last year and was a stunning seven-length winner of the QIPCO Champion Stakes. The official handicapper assessed his performance at Ascot as the best performance seen in Europe all year, raising his official rating to 130. With his racing programme revolving around the top races between 10 and 12 furlongs, he is currently 5-2 for the QIPCO-sponsored King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July.

ENABLE Champions Series form: 111 Enable was flawless last year, winning five successive Group 1 races in imperious fashion. Three of her triumphs came in QIPCO British Champions Series races – the Investec Oaks, QIPCO-sponsored King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Darley Yorkshire Oaks – and there is no reason to think she will not again excel at a mile and a half. Her connections seem keen on dropping her back to a mile and a quarter at some stage, bringing the Juddmonte International Stakes, sponsored by her owner Prince Khalid Abdullah, into consideration.

HARRY ANGEL Champions Series form: 2114 Officially rated the top sprinter in the world after his victories in the DarleyJuly Cup and 32Red Sprint Cup last year, the Clive Cox-trained colt, owned by Godolphin, was superb in the latter race, which he won by four lengths despite fears the deep ground would not suit him. Harry Angel was subsequently not at his best when fourth in the Sprint on QIPCO British Champions Day but can be forgiven that reverse and he will set a high standard for three-year-olds to aim at in 2018.

ORDER OF ST GEORGE Champions Series form: 14-21 The six-year-old son of Galileo has won 12 of his 23 races and will attempt to secure a QIPCO British Champions Series prize for the third year in succession. He dug deep to win the Long Distance Cup on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot in October after narrowly being denied a second Gold Cup success by Big Orange in June. The latter contest, on the third day of the Royal Meeting, is already at the top of his agenda.

07 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | EMERGING TALENT

EMERGING TALENT

SAXON WARRIOR Form: 111 Saxon Warrior already has one claim to fame – his battling victory in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster providing Aidan O’Brien with this record-breaking 26th Group 1 winner of last year. Before his battling success at Town Moor, he had shown a striking turn of foot to win on his debut in a mile maiden at the Curragh before following up in the Group 2 Juddmonte Beresford Stakes at Naas. He currently heads the betting for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and Investec Derby.

GUSTAV KLIMT Form: 511-1 Gustav Klimt was an Austrian painter famous for his portraits and sketches. A century after his death, the equine Gustav Klimt is also making a name for himself and is firmly in the picture for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas on Saturday. The Galileo colt confirmed the promise of his debut at the Curragh when winning a 7f maiden at the same track in early July 2017. Just 13 days later he overcame all sorts of trouble in running to win the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket. He missed his intended Group 1 targets in the Autumn because of a setback but picked up from where he left off on his return landing a Listed race at Leopardstown.

MASAR Form: 13136-01 Masar languished among the 50-1 chances for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas before turning the Craven Stakes at Newmarket this month into a procession. Sent straight into the lead by William Buick, it was a case of the further the better for the Charlie Appleby-trained colt as he waltzed home by nine lengths. Now, he is about 5-1 to follow up in the first Classic of the year. Masar had also impressed when winning the Group 2 Solario Stakes at Sandown last summer, and there were mitigating circumstances for his subsequent defeats in France, America and Dubai.

SEPTEMBER Form: 114323 The fact that September signed off with four successive defeats should not be held against her because there were mitigating circumstances on each occasion and she just looks the type who will continue to thrive for Aidan O’Brien. Her convincing win in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot marked her down as one to follow and her subsequent defeats included a nose to Laurens in the bet365 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket. September’s pedigree points to her thriving over middle distances and the Investec Oaks looks tailor-made for her.

08 09 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | SERIES MOMENTS

SERIES MOMENTS ALL SET FOR THE 8TH QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES

The QIPCO British Champions Series began with a bang in 2011 with Frankel’s stunning success in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and its seventh edition ended with one of his sons, Cracksman, putting up an exhilarating display in the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot. In between, there have been 243 other Series races with countless dazzling displays, excitement and drama along the way.

When the Series launched in 2011 the total prize fund was approximately £13 million, with QIPCO British Champions Day offering £3 million. Now, just days away from the launch of its eighth Series, the total prize money is approaching £20 million with more than £4.3 million up for grabs on QIPCO British Champions Day 2018.

HERE ARE A HANDFUL OF THE HIGHLIGHTS ALONG THE WAY:

2011: CIRRUS DES AIGLES (QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES) The field featured six incredibly popular and talented horses with official ratings of 120 or higher. French raider, Cirrus Des Aigles, kept on strongly to beat So You Think, with Snow Fairy, Midday and Nathaniel the next three home.

2012: FRANKEL (JUDDMONTE INTERNATIONAL STAKES) All-conquering Frankel was poetry in motion and won nine races over two QIPCO British Champions Series. This was just one of his mesmerising displays, as he cruised to an effortless seven- length success over Farhh in his first challenge stepping up in distance over a mile.

2013: NOVELLIST (KING GEORGE VI AND QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES) The German raider was encountering fast ground for the first time but it did not stop him powering to a five-length victory under Johnny Murtagh over Trading Leather, Cirrus Des Aigles and fan favourite Red Cadeaux.

09 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | SERIES MOMENTS

2014: KINGMAN (QATAR SUSSEX STAKES)

Kingman had shown himself to be the best of his generation over a mile with his win in the St James’s Palace Stakes and went on to beat the best older horse around in Toronado.

2015: GOLDEN HORN (INVESTEC DERBY)

Connections had to pay £75,000 to supplement Golden Horn for the race but it was more than vindicated when Frankie Dettori guided him to an emphatic three-and-a-half length win over stablemate Jack Hobbs.

2016: ALMANZOR (QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES) Almanzor had already established himself as the best colt in Europe and was not fully extended when beating Found, who had won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on her previous start, by two lengths.

2017: CRACKMAN (QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES) A devastating display of galloping by Cracksman, who revived memories of his sire, Frankel, as he powered home seven lengths clear of his nearest pursuer, Poet’s Word who was closely followed by Highland Reel. The performance earned him the rating of the best horse in Europe.

2018: WHO WILL PERFORM THE SHOW STOPPING MOMENT OF 2018?

10 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | SPRINT CATEGORY

THE SPRINT CATEGORY PACE ACES SET TO HIT THE DECK RUNNING

SPRINT: Those with a need for speed this season will not be disappointed. Harry Angel, superb winner of the Darley July Cup and 32Red Sprint Cup last year, is officially the highest-rated sprinter in the world and sets the bar high for those with eyes on the top 6f races. Also, do not discount the possibility of Clive Cox dropping him back to 5f at some stage. If he does run over the minimum trip, then he might bump into Lady Aurelia (Wesley Ward), the dashing American filly who breezed home in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot last year before a narrow defeat in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes.

Those races are again likely to be on Lady Aurelia’s agenda, as they will be for the rapid Battaash (Charlie Hills), who looked impressive on several occasions last year, including in the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp in October.

The Tin Man (James Fanshawe), Limato (Henry Candy) and Librisa Breeze (Dean Ivory), all winners of at least one QIPCO British Champions Series contest, will be back for more; as will the Charlie Appleby-trained pair of Blue Point and Jungle Cat, plus Tasleet (William Haggas), Brando (Kevin Ryan) and Take Cover (David Griffiths).

Connections of Australian-trained sprinters Redkirk Warrior and Redzel have been penciled in for Royal Ascot raids, while the exciting Merchant Navy, formerly trained Down Under but now with Aidan O’Brien, has the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on his agenda. All three are Group 1 winners.

Will the three-year-olds be able to challenge the established order? The answer will be clearer after the Commonwealth Cup on June 22. Underestimate the winner of that race at your peril because the first edition was landed byMuhaarar , who went on to be crowned champion sprinter, and the second by Quiet Reflection, who also subsequently beat her elders. Last year Harry Angel chased home Caravaggio before his big wins at Newmarket and Haydock Park.

Possible contenders this summer include US Navy Flag, Sioux Nation and Different League (all O’Brien), Heartache (Cox), Unfortunately (Karl Burke), Barraquero (Brian Meehan) and Happy Like A Fool. Different League, trained in France last summer, has been switched to O’Brien after being sold for 1,500,00 gns in December. She was said to be short of peak fitness when below-par on her debut for the stable at Navan.

THE SPRINT CATEGORY JUNE 19: King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot £500,000 at Royal Ascot JUNE 22: Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot £500,000 at Royal Ascot JUNE 23: Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot £600,000 at Royal Ascot JULY 14: Darley July Cup at Newmarket £500,000 at Newmarket AUGUST 24: Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York £350,000 at York SEPTEMBER 8: 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock £300,000 at Haydock OCTOBER 20: QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot £600,000 at Ascot

11 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | MILE CATEGORY

THE MILE CATEGORY OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW

MILE: The door is open for new faces to shine in the Mile category with many of last season’s top milers having departed the scene. There are numerous exciting three-year-old colts and fillies to consider, with Mendelssohn putting down his marker with a runaway success in the UAE Derby at Meydan last month.

Mendelssohn was runner-up in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes last autumn, when his trainer, Aidan O’Brien, saddled the first four home.US Navy Flag took the spoils, with Seahenge and Threeandfourpence finishing third and fourth.

It speaks volumes for the depth of O’Brien’s three-year-old colts that none of this quartet are considered his principal hopes for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas. Instead, his main hopes appear to be the unbeaten Saxon Warrior, who edged out Roaring Lion (John Gosden) in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, and Gustav Klimt, the Group 2 bet365 Superlative Stakes winner who impressed when winning a Listed race on his return at Leopardstown. O’Brien also has a formidable team of smart fillies, includingClemmie , Happily and September.

Elarqam (Mark Johnston) looked a good prospect when winning over 7f at York and Newmarket last term, while Masar (Charlie Appleby) has already shown his wellbeing this year with a nine-length success in the bet365 Craven Stakes at Newmarket.

Others to have already made their mark this year include James Garfield (George Scott), who defeated Expert Eye (Sir Michael Stoute) and Hey Gaman (James Tate) in the Al Basti Equiworld Supporting Greatwood Greenham Stakes at Newbury, plus Newmarket winners Anna Nerium (Richard Hannon) and Soliloquy (Charlie Appleby).

The older brigade will be represented by such as Beat The Bank (Andrew Balding), runaway winner of the Group 2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket in September; Le Brivido (Andre Fabre), taking winner of the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot; and Forest Ranger (Richard Fahey) who mastered Deauville (Aidan O’Brien) in the bet365 Earl Of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket this month.

Two others who could easily make an impact are Addeybb (William Haggas), fluent winner of the Group 2 bet365 Mile at Sandown last week, and Lord Glitters (David O’Meara), who had chased home that horse in the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster in March.

THE MILE CATEGORY MAY 5: QIPCO 2000 Guineas £500,000 at Newmarket MAY 19: Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes £350,000 at Newbury JUNE 19: Queen Anne Stakes £600,000 at Royal Ascot JUNE 19: St James’s Palace Stakes £500,000 at Royal Ascot AUGUST 1: Qatar Sussex Stakes £1,000,000 at Goodwood OCTOBER 6: Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes £250,000 at Newmarket OCTOBER 20: Queen Elizabeth II Stakes £1,100,000 at Ascot

12 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | MIDDLE DISTANCE CATEGORY

THE MIDDLE DISTANCE CATEGORY SUPERSTAR STABLEMATES SET TO RETURN

MIDDLE DISTANCE: Cracksman and Enable lit up the QIPCO British Champions Series last year and it is tremendously exciting that the pair, trained by John Gosden in Newmarket, remain in training. Given they are not owned by the same people, there remains the tantalising prospect of them crossing swords in a QIPCO British Champions Series race before the season is over.

Enable was flawless last year when she won the Investec Oaks, Darley Irish Oaks, QIPCO-sponsored King George VI And Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Darley Yorkshire Oaks en route to landing the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The daughter of Nathaniel won those Group 1 prizes by an aggregate of more than 22 lengths.

She is clearly in her element over a mile and a half but she is not short of speed and it would be no surprise to see her drop back to ten furlongs at some stage, with the Juddmonte International Stakes at York in August - sponsored by her owner - a possible aim.

Cracksman progressed with racing and saved his best for last, romping home by seven lengths in the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot from Poets Word (Sir Michael Stoute). He picked up from where he left off with an emphatic success in the Prix Ganay at ParisLongchamp and the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and King George seem likely targets.

Hawkbill, trained by Charlie Appleby, won the Coral-Eclipse in 2016 and has already shone in Dubai this year, making all in the Dubai Sheema Classic to beat Poets Word by three lengths, with Arc De Triomphe runner-up Cloth Of Stars another neck away in third.

The Prince of Wales’s Stakes is the target for Benbatl after his emphatic win in the Dubai Turf last month and it will be intriguing to see how his stablemate, Thunder Snow, is campaigned after his Dubai World Cup victory.

Capri, Cliffs Of Moher, Hydrangea and Rhododendron (all Aidan O’Brien) are among other significant older horses who will return this year, as well as Eminent (Martyn Meade), Defoe (Roger Varian) and Frontiersman (Charlie Appleby). Exciting three-year-olds on the scene include the unbeaten Saxon Warrior, who is the Investec Derby favourite, Amadeo Modigliani, The Pentagon, Happily and September (all Aidan O’Brien) plus runaway bet365 Craven Stakes winner Masar (Charlie Appleby), his stablemate Ghaiyyath and Royal Lodge victor Roaring Lion (John Gosden).

THE MIDDLE DISTANCE CATEGORY JUNE 1: Investec Coronation Cup £425,000 at Epsom JUNE 2: Investec Derby £1,500,000 at Epsom JUNE 20: Prince of Wales’s Stakes £750,000 at Royal Ascot JULY 7: Coral-Eclipse Stakes £750,000 at Sandown JULY 28: King George VI And Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO) £1,250,000 at Ascot AUGUST 22: Juddmonte International Stakes £1,000,000 at York OCTOBER 20: QIPCO Champion Stakes £1,300,000 at Ascot

13 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | LONG DISTANCE CATEGORY

THE LONG DISTANCE CATEGORY GOLD CUP PROTAGONISTS BACK FOR MORE

LONG DISTANCE: The seven races in the Long Distance category last year produced some tremendously close finishes, including in the Ascot Gold Cup at Royal Ascot whereBig Orange repelled defending champion Order Of St George by a short head.

Big Orange, trained by Michael Bell, subsequently finished runner-up in the Qatar Goodwood Cup, while Order Of St George (Aidan O’Brien) went on to go one better in the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup. Their rematch on June 21 will be something to savour, albeit Big Orange has to put a subdued comeback run in Dubai behind him. By contrast, Order Of St George was not extended to win on his return at Navan.

A feature of this category in 2017 was the strength of the three-year-olds. Stradivarius (John Gosden) was a fluent winner of the Qatar Goodwood Cup, while Desert Skyline (David Elsworth) pounced from off the pace to scoop the Doncaster Cup.

It will be intriguing to see how they fare on level weight terms and other three-year-olds from last term who might easily make an impact are Capri (O’Brien), Crystal Ocean (Sir Michael Stoute) and Rekindling (Joseph O’Brien). This trio finished first, second and fourth respectively in a compelling William Hill St Leger Stakes at Doncaster in September. Rekindling more than did his bit for the form when subsequently landing the Emirates Melbourne Cup.

Two potential French challengers to look out for are Ice Breeze (Pascal Barry) and Vazirabad (Alain de Royer Dupre), who dominated the finish of the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak at Saint-Cloud in October. Vazirabad has already shown his wellbeing in Meydan this year, winning a third successive Dubai Gold Cup at the principal expense of dual Series winner Sheikhzayedroad (David Simcock), with Rare Rhythm and Frontiersman (Charlie Appleby) finishing third and fourth.

Harbour Law (Laura Mongan), the 2016 St Leger winner, and Montaly (Andrew Balding), who landed the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup at York last summer, will be others to consider along with Torcedor (Jessica Harrington) and Endless Time (Appleby).

It is difficult to know which three-year-olds might emerge as forces. The picture is likely to be clearer after the Investec Derby in June. Extra spice will be added by Weatherbys Hamilton offering a £1 million bonus to the connections of any horse who wins the Gold Cup, Qatar Goodwood Cup and Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup, provided they have won one of four early-season staying contests.

THE LONG DISTANCE CATEGORY MAY 18: Yorkshire Cup £165,000 at York JUNE 21: Gold Cup £500,000 at Royal Ascot JULY 31: Qatar Goodwood Cup £523,000 at Goodwood AUGUST 24: Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup £200,000 at York SEPTEMBER 14: Doncaster Cup £100,000 at Doncaster SEPTEMBER 15: William Hill St Leger Stakes £700,000 at Doncaster OCTOBER 20: QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup £500,000 at Ascot

14 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | FILLIES & MARES CATEGORY

THE FILLIES & MARES CATEGORY O’BRIEN HOLDS ANOTHER STRONG HAND

FILLIES & MARES: Aidan O’Brien-trained horses won six of the seven races in this category last year and the champion trainer again has a formidable team. The first race in the category is the QIPCO 1000 Guineas and O’Brien trained the first two home last year, having saddled the first three the year before.

This time around Happily and September look his principal candidates. The former won Group 1 races in Ireland and France last year before failing to figure from an impossible draw at the Breeders’ Cup. Her dam, You’resothrilling, has already produced two Guineas winners in Gleneagles and Marvellous.

September looked an unlucky loser when splitting Laurens (Karl Burke) and Magic Lily (Charlie Appleby) in the Group 1 bet365 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket in the autumn and, not for the first time, hinted middle distances will suit when subsequently third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita.

The Guineas has come too soon for the champion trainer’s Clemmie but look out for the sister of Churchill, who won the QIPCO 2000 Guineas last year, later this summer. She thrived last year, signing off with victory in the Group 1 Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket in October.

O’Brien also has several older fillies to call upon, including Hydrangea and Rhododendron.Hydrangea ran in seven Group 1 races in 2017 and showed herself to be versatile regards distance, landing the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes over a mile and a half at the main expense of Bateel (Francis-Henri Graffard) andCoronet (John Gosden). Rhododendron was runner-up in the 1000 Guineas and Oaks before winning in Group 1 company in France.

In common with O’Brien, Charlie Appleby has a strong squad for this category. Wild Illusion won the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Chantilly, while Soliloquy impressed when making all in the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket this month. In addition, Wuheida, who signed off last season with victory in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, and Sobetsu, third in the Qatar Nassau Stakes last term, are other aces in his pack.

Anna Nerium (Richard Hannon) and Dan’s Dream (Mick Channon) have advanced their claims for the Guineas this spring, while So Mi Dar (Gosden) and Queen’s Trust (Sir Michael Stoute) are back for more as five-year-olds. The outstanding Enable (Gosden) seems more likely to feature in the the Middle Distance category but her stablemate, Lah Ti Dar, may well do after making an exciting winning debut at Newbury this month.

THE FILLIES & MARES CATEGORY MAY 6: QIPCO 1000 Guineas £500,000 at Newmarket JUNE 1: Investec Oaks £500,000 at Epsom JUNE 22: Coronation Stakes £500,000 at Royal Ascot JULY 13: Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes £200,000 at Newmarket AUGUST 2: Qatar Nassau Stakes £600,000 at Goodwood AUGUST 23: Darley Yorkshire Oaks £350,000 at York OCTOBER 20: QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes £600,000 at Ascot

15 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | RECORD BREAKING O’BRIEN

RECORD BREAKING O’BRIEN SET FOR MORE FIREWORKS

“I’m only a small part in a very big team” became Aidan O’Brien’s default answer last summer as he humbly tried to deflect praise away from himself while simultaneously raising the bar higher and higher. By the end of the year, he had achieved a world record 28 Group 1 winners - passing the 25 that the late Bobby Frankel achieved in 2003.

O’Brien, 48, drew level with Frankel with the victory of Hydrangea on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot and went past him a week later courtesy of Saxon Warrior’s victory in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.

The master of Ballydoyle enjoyed 13 Champions Series triumphs in 2017, a dozen of them contributing to his Group 1 tally. So what can we expect from the Champion Trainer in 2018?

Winter, Churchill, Highland Reel, Wings Of Eagles and Caravaggio, who were among his big hitters of 2017, have departed the scene but with the revolving door at Ballydoyle, as one champion walks through the exit another usually comes swinging into view.

Established stars such as Roly Poly, Order Of St George, Capri, Hydrangea and Rhododendron remain in training and he acquired two exciting sprinters over the winter in Merchant Navy, formerly trained in Australia, and Different League, from France.

It is his battalion of three-year-olds who promise to keep him on a high. He had a phenomenal time with his juvenile runners last year; Happily, US Navy Flag, Sioux Nation, Clemmie, Saxon Warrior and Mendelssohn all winning at the highest level.

Of that string, it is the unbeaten Saxon Warrior who carries the most expectation, reflected by the fact he is favourite for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and Investec Derby. The regally-bred colt, by Japanese champion Deep Impact out a of a Galileo mare, looked special in winning each of his three races last term and showed a fine attitude to land the Racing Post Trophy, a race Camelot won for O’Brien en route to landing the Guineas/Derby double in 2012 before also finishing second in the St Leger.

O’Brien has indicated Saxon Warrior will head straight for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and that is a tip in itself because his record eight previous winners of the race had been making their seasonal reappearances in the Classic.

King Of Kings was O’Brien’s sole Guineas runner, 20 years ago, but he is not short of candidates to line up this time around. He trained the first four home in the Dewhurst last autumn and is also responsible for the exciting Gustav Klimt.

16 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | MOMENT IN HISTORY

A FIRST BRITISH CLASSIC 20 YEARS SINCE KING OF KINGS

Aidan O’Brien was only 28 when he clinched his first British Classic twenty years ago with King of Kings in the 2000 Guineas. But that success was not necessarily the widely predicted victory that has come to characterise many of O’Brien’s subsequent wins in the race and which have led to him becoming the winning-most trainer in its illustrious history.

In fact, there were concerns at the time that King of Kings, whilst brilliant was also brittle, especially mentally. However, these proved unjustified on the day as Mick Kinane steered the colt to a one and a quarter length victory with a perfectly timed run that left newspaper columnists breathlessly praising how “rarely has the kick been so majestically sharp and swift as the one King Of Kings delivered on Saturday.”

Nor, did the significance of O’Brien’s win pass by commentators at the time. Brian O’Connor, writing in the Irish Times said, “Of course genius is a term that has been bastardised beyond recognition in the sporting world. Any shambling youth with an ability to kick a football in a straight line can have the “genius” accusation flung at him. Aidan O’Brien is just 28 but the only thing likely to be flung at AIDAN O’BRIEN‘S him in future is our blind faith.” EIGHT WINNERS Likewise, the handicapper Dominic Gardiner-Hill recognised the trainer’s new influence on the sport, “Mr O’Brien doesn’t get these things wrong as we are beginning to learn. If he says the horse is top class I believe him.”

O’Brien’s talent was clear to see but it’s unlikely that anyone could quite have predicted the incredible level KING OF KINGS ROCK OF GIBRALTAR of success he has come to achieve in the intervening 1998 2002 two decades.

Following that initial success in the race, O’Brien has gone on to train a further seven winners in the race which have all been very different in many respects – some have been out and out milers such as Rock of Gibraltar (2002) and Gleneagles (2015) whilst others have progressed to contest races over further FOOTSTEPSINTHESAND GEORGE WASHINGTON 2005 2006 including Camelot (2012) who doubled up to win the Derby before finishing second in the St Leger, narrowly mission out on racing’s fabled Triple Crown.

Of course, it is not just in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas where O’Brien has dominated. Having been the private trainer at Ballydoyle for John Magnier since 1996 he has enjoyed spectacular success with beautifully HENRYTHENAVIGATOR CAMELOT 2008 2012 bred horses who have in turn fuelled further breeding success. He has saddled no fewer than 29 British Classic winners and, in addition to his record eight QIPCO 2000 Guineas wins, he has amassed four QIPCO 1000 Guineas, six Derbys, six Oaks and five St Leger Stakes winners.

GLENEAGLES CHURCHILL 2015 2017

17 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | PROFESSIONAL

JOCKEYS CHALLENGE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

The official Stobart-sponsored Championships for flat jockeys begins at Newmarket’s QIPCO Guineas Festival on Saturday 5th May 2018 and concludes at Ascot on QIPCO British Champions Day on Saturday 20th October 2018.

Last season saw Silvestre de Sousa wrestle his title back from Jim Crowley after a tantalising loss the year before. However in 2017 De Sousa hardly gave his rivals a chance, having reached 100 winners by August 2017 just 96 days after it started. The Brazilian finished the season with 155 winners from 855 winners at a strike rate of 18% leaving him 44 ahead of his nearest rival Jim Crowley. He was crowned champion for the second time in front of a roaring crowd and his fellow jockeys at QIPCO British Champions Day.

This year will once again be a competitive affair with plenty of jockeys holding viable claims to the title. Alongside De Sousa and Crowley, Ryan Moore is likely to be in the running come October, whilst the depth of horses available to the likes of Andrea Atzeni, William Buick, James Doyle, Oisin Murphy and Danny Tudhope means they will attempt to make the most of their rides throughout the season.

However with De Sousa a 4-9 on favourite with bookmakers, the Brazilian remains the man to beat.

THE STOBART FLAT JOCKEYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP 2017 FINAL STANDINGS

RANKING JOCKEY WINS RIDES STRIKE RATE

1 Silvestre De Sousa 155 855 18%

2 Jim Crowley 111 636 17% 3 Ryan Moore 104 452 23% 4 Daniel Tudhope 93 517 18% 5 James Doyle 89 417 21% 6 P. J. McDonald 82 555 15% 7 Luke Morris 82 722 11% 8 Joe Fanning 78 510 15% 9 Oisin Murphy 76 578 13% 10 Andrea Atzeni 75 412 18% 11 Paul Mulrennan 70 538 13% 12 Jamie Spencer 68 418 16% 13 Graham Lee 66 543 12% 14 William Buick 64 285 22% 15 David Probert 62 507 12% 16 Adam Kirby 61 427 14% 17 Paul Hanagan 58 520 11% 18 Harry Bently 57 373 15% 19 Franny Norton 57 458 12% 20 Pat Cosgrave 56 376 15%

18 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | APPRENTICE

STOBART CHAMPION APPRENTICE RACE

Rising star David Egan won the race to become the 2017 Stobart Champion Apprentice in a thrilling climax against Kieran Shoemark, with the Championship going right down to the final day at Catterick on Saturday 21st October 2017.

Ultimately, Shoemark’s charge for the title came too late, with the 18-year-old Egan completing an outstanding year with the £5,000 prize, having only ridden his first winner little more than a year before that.

Egan finished with 53 wins from 448 rides, one clear of Shoemark and 12 clear of George Wood in third-place. Incredibly, Egan rode winners for no fewer than 32 trainers, while his most successful partnership came with Michael Attwater, for whom he rode eight winners.

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 to sit on the sidelines for over a month. Callum Rodriguez is another young rider who made headlines when riding Nakeeta to take the valuable Betfred Ebor at York and impressed with his coolness on and off the track.

Shoemark, whose successful campaign saw him ride out his apprentices’ allowance, looks to have a future as a leading jockey as his popularity with a number of trainers, including his boss Roger Charlton, is showing no sign of drying up.

THE STOBART APPRENTICE JOCKEYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP 2017 FINAL STANDINGS

RANKING JOCKEY WINS RIDES STRIKE RATE

1 David Egan 53 448 12%

2 Kieran Shoemark 52 393 13%

3 George Wood 41 294 14%

4 Hollie Doyle 31 269 12%

5 Lewis Edmunds 29 244 12%

6 Callum Rodriguez 27 191 14%

7 Edward Greatrex 27 203 13%

8 Adam McNamara 24 224 11%

9 Hector Crouch 24 252 10%

10 Clifford Lee 23 187 12%

19 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | OWNERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP

OWNERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP

Unlike the Stobart Jockeys’ Championships, the owners’ title is decided by prize money won rather than the number of winners accumulated between QIPCO Guineas Festival and QIPCO British Champions Day on 20th October 2018. Regardless of the method used Godolphin would have won in 2017 with the highest number of winners, with 132 first past the post and the largest collection of prizemoney at £5.5m.

The boys in blue emerged top of the table for the 11th time, ahead of the Coolmoore operation whose different registered ownerships are treated seperately.

2017 CHAMPIONSHIP TOP 5 FLAT OWNERS

RANK OWNER LEADING EARNER WINS RUNS PRIZE MONEY

1 Godolphin Ribchester (IRE) 132 561 £5,523,737.77

2 Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Wings Of Eagles (FR) 9 135 £3,429,448.60

3 Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum Tasleet (GB) 105 585 £2,466,221.78

4 Mr K. Abdullah Enable (GB) 46 219 £2,002,543.49

5 Mr M Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Churchill (IRE) 10 33 £1,779,153.40

20 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY 2018 RACING’S BIG FINALE SATURDAY 20 OCTOBER 2018 ASCOT RACECOURSE SAVE UP TO 20% ON TICKETS UNTIL 13TH MAY

TICKETS ON SALE BRITISHCHAMPIONSDAY.COM

QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY 2018

Now in its eighth year, QIPCO British Champions Day The race programme showcases no less than four is the thrilling finale to the British Flat racing season Group 1 races; and the QIPCO British Champions Series. Staged for the first time in 2011 when there was £3 million QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPION STAKES on offer across the day, QIPCO British Champions 1 MILE 2 FURLONGS Day has established itself as the single richest day Prize money £1.3 million in the British racing calendar, with in excess of £4.35 million on offer this year. Throughout its history, it QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES has attracted the best horses and jockeys from SPONSORED BY QIPCO STRAIGHT MILE across the globe, including in the opening two years, Prize money £1.1 million Frankel, who triumphed in both the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (2011) and QIPCO Champion Stakes (2012). QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS FILLIES’ And, in last year’s renewal of that same race it was & MARES’ STAKES his son Cracksman, who put up a brilliant display to 1 MILE 4 FURLONGS earn himself the accolade of top horse in Europe. Prize money £600,000

The day features an unprecedented British card QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SPRINT STAKES of four Group 1s, a Group 2 (which is effectively a 6 FURLONGS Group 1 race in respect of its conditions, including Prize money £600,000 no weight penalties for previous Group 1 winners, and attracts a high-class field every year) and one QIPCO LONG DISTANCE CUP 2 MILES of the richest mile handicaps in Europe. The prize Prize money £500,000 money is spread across the final races in the five Series categories (Sprint, Mile, Middle Distance, QIPCO British Champions Day is also the Fillies & Mares and Long Distances divisions) occasion on which the human stars of the sport and comprises some of the richest races of their are crowned with Silvestre De Sousa claiming kind in Europe. his second Stobart Champion Flat Jockey title in 2018 and Godolphin picking up the owners’ gong.

21 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | TITLE PARTNER QIPCO HOLDING

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.

In recent years QIPCO has made a significant investment in horseracing, not only as sponsors but also as owners and breeders. Among the company’s wide range of interests is a global racing and breeding operation based in Great Britain. Qatar Racing and Qatar bloodstock, are both subsidiaries of QIPCO.

Qatar Racing has nearly 100 horses in training around the world alongside their successful breeding operation. Qatar Bloodstock was established in 2010, following the purchase of the World champion miler Makfi, and the operation currently stands stallions in Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand.

Qatar investment & Projects development holding company (QIPCO Holding) is 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 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.

As the title Partner, QIPCO enjoys exclusive naming rights for the series and full partnerships rights for the £4.35 million QIPCO British Champions Day climax at Ascot, which is set to have increased to £5 million when the new contract expires in 2024.

QIPCO is also the official partner of the Guineas Festival at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile Racecourse which launches QIPCO 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.

22 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES MEDIA GUIDE | TITLE PARTNER QIPCO HOLDING

CONTACT DETAILS NAOMI LAWSON Head of PR, British Champions Series / Great British Racing: email: [email protected] tel: +44 7881 266 359

JOHN MAXSE All matters regarding QIPCO Holding email: [email protected] tel: +44 7785 243 232

23 VISIT: BRITISHCHAMPIONSERIES.COM