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RACING’ BIG FINALE

SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER 2017 MEDIA GUIDE QIPCO MEDIA GUIDE

CONTENTS 03 Chief Executive’s Foreword 40 Stobart Apprentice Championship

04 QIPCO British Champions Day Facts and Figures / Quotes 42 Leading Riders at QIPCO British Champions Day

05 Race Details 43 Profile

06 Six Horses To Look Out For 44 Leading Trainers at QIPCO British Champions Day

06 Who Took My Crown 45 Aidan ’Brien Profile

07 Six Super Finishes 46 Showing Up Well In The Breeding Stakes

08 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 2) 47 Series Ambassadors

12 QIPCO British Champions (Group 2) 48 Background to the QIPCO and QIPCO British Champions Day

17 QIPCO British Champions ’ & ’ Stakes (Group 1) 48 Structure of the QIPCO British Champions Series

22 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, sponsored by QIPCO (Group 1) 49 Title Partner – QIPCO Holding

28 QIPCO (Group 1) 50 Ticket and Travel Information

34 Balmoral Handicap (sponsored by QIPCO) 51 Contact List and Media Accreditation

36 Stobart Flat Jockeys’ Championship QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

FOREWORD ROD STREET

This year’s QIPCO British Champions Day will be the seventh running of Britain’s richest raceday and, with so many stellar entries, we can’ wait for this year’s season finale.

Last year, the day rated the best raceday in Europe with two of the contests, the QIPCO Champion Stakes, won by Europe’s best horse, , and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO) ranked amongst the top ten races in the World.

For this year’s renewal there is an additional £100,000 in prize money for the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup, bringing the total prize purse to a record breaking £4.3 million. We are grateful for the enduring and support of our sponsor QIPCO whose generosity allows us to stage such an incredible day’s racing. Champions Day is also the only time during the season that a British card features four Group 1 races and a Group 2, and the 242 horses entered for this year’s day represent a glittering cast which is brimming with quality.

Many of the horses have already shone during this year’s QIPCO British Champions Series, which encompasses the top 35 races across the British summer flat racing season. Amongst them is the hero of Royal Ascot, , last year’s Champions Day winner, The Tin Man, together with , the dual Classic winner, King George heroine and the highest rated horse in Europe. Other proven stars are due to line up including , as well as some of the new talents to have burst onto the scene this year including , and . There are also 30 exciting entries from including last year’s QIPCO Champion Stakes winner, Almanzor, winner, Senga, and Prix du Club winner Brametot. With so many exciting clashes in prospect on the track, we look forward to welcoming you to Ascot for QIPCO British Champions Day on Saturday 21 October.

Rod Street Chief Executive, British Champions Series

PAGE 03 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE FACTS AND FIGURES OF QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES 2017 PR TA IZ BALMORAL HANDICAP SERIES O T

MOST VALUABLE

WINS O EUROPEAN HANDICAP M

N

ALREADY FOR 3

. E

4

Y RYAN MOORE £ OVER A MILE RUNNERS SO FAR 49 FROM 9 FROM FRANCE 6 FROM USA 2 FROM 1 FROM ARGENTINA

WINNING M A I ENABLE IN THE BIGGEST FIVE LENGTHS, RECORDED BY INVESTEC OAKS BIGG£ST PRIC£ SERIES RECORD £450,000 WINN£R WINS for the QIPCO OF EAGLES THIS YEAR ALREADY FOR BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP 40/1 AIDAN O’BRIEN SHORTEST WINNING MARGIN MOST IN THE RECORDED BY INVESTEC A NOSE IN THE VALUABLE EUROPEAN GROUP 1 DERBY CORAL-ECLIPSE (QIPCO Champion Stakes) OVER 1M2F EUROPEAN MOST VALUABLE 1MGROUP 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored by QIPCO)

PAGE 04 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

SATURDAY 21ST OCTOBER ASCOT RACECOURSE RACE DAY PROGRAMME

10.30AM GATES OPEN

1:25PM £450,000 - QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP (GROUP 2) 2 MILES (ROUND COURSE)

2:00PM £600,000 - QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SPRINT STAKES (GROUP 1) 6 FURLONGS (STRAIGHT COURSE)

2:35PM £600,000 - QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS FILLIES’ & MARES’ STAKES (GROUP 1) 1 MILE AND 4 FURLONGS (ROUND COURSE)

3:10PM £1,100,000 - THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES (SPONSORED BY QIPCO) (GROUP 1) 1 MILE (STRAIGHT COURSE)

3:45PM £1,300,000 - QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES (GROUP 1) 1 MILE AND 2 FURLONGS (ROUND COURSE)

4:25PM £250,000 - THE BALMORAL HANDICAP (SPONSORED BY QIPCO) 1 MILE (STRAIGHT COURSE)

*All timings subject to change

PAGE 05 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE SIX HORSES TO LOOK OUT FOR ON ON QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY

CHURCHILL AND - VARIOUS OPTIONS | Trainer: Aidan O’Brien The tantalising prospect of this year’s Guineas winners both lining up on October 21 looks a distinct possibility. Winter has carried all before her this campaign and made it four Group 1 wins in succession with her success in the last week, having already struck twice in the Series in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas and . Her versatility regards distance means she has three Group 1 options - the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored by QIPCO), QIPCO Champion Stakes and QIPCO British Champions Fillies’ & Mares’ Stakes. , winner of the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and Irish equivalent, has two - the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored by QIPCO) and QIPCO Champion Stakes. His next likely race, the at York, could help determine their paths.

BARNEY ROY - QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES | Trainer: Richard Hannon Richard Hannon cannot wait for next year, when he believes Barney Roy will be even more the finished article and perhaps go on to show himself to be a champion over a mile and a half. Before that, though, there are more prizes to plunder this year with the St James’s Palace Stakes winner, who was perhaps unfortunate when runner-up in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and Coral-Eclipse in between. The Juddmonte International Stakes is Barney Roy’s next likely race and then the QIPCO Champion Stakes looks a logical last port of call before 2018.

RIBCHESTER - QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES (SPONSORED BY QIPCO) | Trainer: Richard Fahey would the opportunity to train Ribchester as a five-year-old but, in all likelihood, the triple Group 1 winner will bow out on Champions Day before beginning his second vocation as a . Winner of the Al Shaqab and , he suffered a surprise neck defeat at the hands of Here Comes When in the Qatar last week but that reverse, in a muddling race run on attritional ground, can be excused. Expect him to bounce back quickly and make a bold bid to go one better than he did in last year’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored by QIPCO), when he was beaten half a length by the brilliant .

HARRY ANGEL - QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SPRINT STAKES | Trainer: Clive Cox Blue could be the colour on QIPCO British Champions Day because Harry Angel, like Barney Roy and Ribchester, is owned by . Clive Cox has pencilled in the brilliant Darley winner for the 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock on September 9, followed by the QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes. “He’s won his Group 1 and further progress in the department now looks on the cards, probably starting at Haydock (Sprint Cup) and the QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes would be another race for him,” Cox said in the aftermath of his emphatic win at Newmarket. Winning jockey could not stop smiling at Newmarket. “He’s a machine, the best you will see for a long time – I truly believe that.”

BIG ORANGE - QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP | Trainer: Michael Bell Big Orange could finish only fifth when contesting this race in 2014, when it was run on heavy ground, but has not looked back since. Now six, and more the finished article, he has looked better than ever this season, winning the Matchbook VIP Henry II Stakes at Sandown and the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot before beating all Stradivarius, who was receiving 13lb, when attempting to win a third successive Qatar . Good going or faster is considered ideal for Big Orange, although it was on the easy side when he ran so well at Goodwood last week. WHO TOOK MY CROWN? Six horses have attempted back-to-back wins in the QIPCO British Champions Series this season. None have managed repeat triumphs, but four have finished runner-up.

Profitable finished second to in the King’s Stand Stakes having won the 5f sprint 12 months earlier, while two days later at the meeting Order Of St George lost his Gold Cup crown by a short head to Big Orange.

Then, in the Darley July Cup, beat all bar Harry Angel when trying to become a rare dual winner. The sequence continued when Big Orange, attempting a third successive win in the Qatar Goodwood Cup, was overhauled late on by Stradivarius.

The other horses to have seen their crowns slip away have been Clever Cookie, sixth in the Betway Yorkshire Cup, and who was fourth in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes(Sponsored by QIPCO).

PAGE 06 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE SIX SUPER FINISHES IN THE 2017 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPION SERIES

There is plenty of drama and tight finishes left in this year’s QIPCO British Champions Series, but it has already provided some thrilling finishes. Here have been six of the best, in the order they have unfolded.

MAY 19: YORK - JUNE 22: ROYAL ASCOT - BETWAY YORKSHIRE CUP GOLD CUP The first race in the Long Any shortlist of most exciting Distance category of this year’s Champions Series race of the Series could not have been year would have to include this any more exciting with about epic clash which made for a length covering the first five compelling viewing for 4min home. Dartmouth, owned by Her 22sec - longer if you count Majesty The Queen, prevailed by the number of times replays a neck from - the were shown as the judge tried pair separated by the width of the track just to make it even to determine whether front-running Big Orange had won, or trickier to initially establish who had snatched the honours. if Order Of St George, defending his crown, had caught him High Jinx, having his first run for two years, was another head in the final strides. The print showed the courageous Big further back, with Endless Time another head behind him. Orange had triumphed by a short head; the pair six lengths clear of Ladbrokes St Leger victor .

JUNE 2: EPSOM - JUNE 23: ROYAL ASCOT - INVESTEC OAKS COMMONWEALTH CUP A humid afternoon at Epsom Just for a moment, turned stormy just before the bookmakers must have Investec Oaks and the fillies’ thought that a third Aidan Classic was run in heavy rain, O’Brien odds-on shot at with thunder and lightning Royal Ascot was going to get rolling around the course. It beaten as had developed into a gripping duel given market rivals Harry from two out between Enable Angel and a head and Rhododendron. Initially the pair were locked together start. However, the then unbeaten , who traded at 5-1 but, in the closing stages, Rhododendron, the 8-11 favourite, in-running, got the job done - clicking into turbo to win going wilted. It was a case of the further the better for Enable, who away by three quarters of a length. The first three finished galloped on relentlessly to pull five lengths clear. nicely clear of American challenger Bound For Nowhere.

JUNE 3: EPSOM - JULY 8: SANDOWN - INVESTEC DERBY CORAL-ECLIPSE As the biggest Derby field for The most incident-packed 11 years thundered towards Coral-Eclipse ever? Three the winning line it looked jockeys ended up in hot water certain that , with the stewards, the winning the shortest-priced of Aidan trainer was fined £1,000 for his O’Brien’s six challengers, was horse entering the parade going to win in the hands of late and Eminent, who finished Ryan Moore. However, after fifth, tried to bite Decorated mastering market rivals and Eminent, both sons Knight, who was sixth. Meanwhile, Ulysses and Barney Roy of , Cliffs Of Moher was unable repel his unconsidered flashed past the post as one - the former clinging on by a stablemate, , who powered past under nose as Barney Roy closed on him all the way to the line. Padraig Beggy to spring the biggest surprise in the premier Classic since Snow Knight obliged at 50-1 in 1974.

PAGE 07 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

1:25PM QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP (GROUP 2) Total prize money £450,000 Prize money breakdown: 1st: £255,195 - 2nd: £96,750 3rd: £48,420 - 4th: £24,120 - 5th: £12,105 - 6th: £6,075 • 2m (3200m) Round Course | 3yo+ | No Penalties | Maximum Field 20 • Contingency Inner Flat Course distance - 1m7f127yds • Next deadline is the second entry stage on Tuesday 3rd October • Supplementary Entries (£18,000) close by noon on Monday 16th October • Declare 10am Thursday 19th October

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: SHEIKHZAYEDROAD

David Simcock sent out a third QIPCO British Champions Day winner as the mercurial Sheikhzayedroad followed up his previous success in the under Martin Harley. “We all know he has his quirks, but he sticks his neck out, he’s genuine and he loves his racing” said Simcock. “He’s been with us a long time and he’s a pleasure to train as he just trains himself. It’s as simple as that.”

POSSIBLE CONTENDERS THIS YEAR INCLUDE

BIG ORANGE Took a starring role in one of the sport’s most iconic moments this year when holding off Order Of St George after a gripping head-to-head in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. His gung-ho attitude has won him plenty of admirers and undoubtedly one of the most popular horses in training. Will any of his rivals be brave enough to try and take him on for the early lead in the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup?

ORDER OF ST GEORGE Only fourth when odds-on in this contest 12 months ago but probably the race coming too soon after his heroic third place in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe a fortnight earlier in France. Needs to reverse Gold Cup form with Big Orange, but that’s far from impossible and it will be fascinating to see whether connections alter his preparations after last year’s disappointing showing.

STRADIVARIUS Took three attempts to break his duck as a two-year-old, but he hasn’t looked back this season as he has gained experience and moved up in distance. Second in a hot handicap at Chester’s May meeting, he justified support to win the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot and found further improvement for another step up in trip when felling Big Orange in the Qatar Goodwood Cup. Bound now for the William Hill St Leger before another chance to take on his elders on QIPCO British Champions Day.

PAGE 08 PAGE 09 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE ENTRIES FOR QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP Entries on 8th August 2017

HORSE AGE TRAINER OWNER Agent Murphy (GB) 6 Brian Meehan Mr . A. Harrison-Allan Alyssa (GB) 4 Ralph Miss . Rausing Arch Villain (IRE) 8 Amanda Perrett Mr & Mrs Cotton,Mr & Mrs P Conway Big Orange (GB) 6 Michael Bell W. . and T. . O. Gredley Burmese (GB) 5 Sir Thomas Pilkington Cap'n (IRE) 6 George Webb Dr Marisa Viegas (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mr . Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Clever Cookie (GB) 9 Peter Niven Mr P. D. Niven Count Octave (GB) 3 Qatar Racing Limited Dal Harraild (GB) 4 St Albans Bloodstock Limited Desert Skyline (IRE) 3 David Elsworth C Benham/ D Whitford/ L Quinn/ K Quinn Doha Dream (FR) 4 A. Fabre Al Shaqab Racing Douglas Macarthur (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien M J Jooste/Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith Duretto (GB) 5 Andrew Balding Lord Blyth Flying Officer (USA) 7 Mr George Strawbridge Flymetothestars (GB) 4 Sir Bt MPR LII, Mrs Jones & Osborne House Game Starter (IRE) 3 Godolphin Higher (GB) 5 Mrs Martin Armstrong High Jinx (IRE) 9 Tim Easterby Mr & Mrs W. J. Williams (IRE) 4 Aidan O'Brien Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs Khalidi (GB) 3 John Gosden Mr Nizar Anwar Kingfisher (IRE) 6 Aidan O'Brien D Smith/Mrs Magnier/M Tabor/L J Williams Laws of Spin (IRE) 4 W. P. Mullins Ballylinch Stud Marmelo (GB) 4 Hughie Morrison The Fairy Story Partnership Max Dynamite (FR) 7 W. P. Mullins Mrs S. Ricci Melodic Motion (IRE) 3 Ralph Beckett Qatar Racing Limited Ming Dynasty (FR) 5 M. Delzangles Qatar Racing Ltd/Wildenstein Stables Ltd Montaly (GB) 6 Andrew Balding Farleigh Racing Mount Moriah (GB) 3 Ralph Beckett Mr Brunskill Natural Scenery (GB) 4 Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Nearly Caught (IRE) 7 Hughie Morrison Mr A. N. Solomons Ooty Hill (GB) 5 Charlie Fellowes Mr A. E. Oppenheimer Order of St George (IRE) 5 Aidan O'Brien M.Tabor,D.Smith,MrsJ Magnier,L Williams Pallasator (GB) 8 Sir Mark Prescott Bt Qatar Racing Limited Prince of Arran (GB) 4 Charlie Fellowes Mr Saeed bel Obaida Prize Money (GB) 4 Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Raheen House (IRE) 3 Brian Meehan Mr J. L. Day Red Verdon (USA) 4 The Hon R J Arculli (GB) 3 Joseph Patrick O'Brien Mr Lloyd J. Williams Renneti (FR) 8 W. P. Mullins Mrs S. Ricci (IRE) 4 Aidan O'Brien Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Sheikhzayedroad (GB) 8 David Simcock Mr Mohammed Jaber She Is No Lady (GB) 5 Ralph Beckett D & J Newell Simple Verse (IRE) 5 Ralph Beckett QRL/Sheikh Suhaim Al Thani/M Al Kubaisi Spanish Steps (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Tabor/Smith/Mrs Magnier/Flaxman Stables Stars Over The Sea (USA) 6 Henry de Bromhead Mr R. S. Brookhouse St Michel (GB) 4 Sir Mark Prescott Bt Exors of the Late Mr J. L. C. Pearce Stradivarius (IRE) 3 John Gosden Mr . E. Nielsen The Anvil (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien D Smith/Mrs Magnier/M Tabor/Mrs O'Brien Thomas Hobson (GB) 7 W. P. Mullins Mrs S. Ricci Time To Study (FR) 3 Mark Johnston Mr Abdulla Al Mansoori Torcedor (IRE) 5 Mrs J. Harrington Te Akau Torcedor(Mngr David Ellis) Twilight Payment (IRE) 4 J. S. Bolger Godolphin Uae King (GB) 3 Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum Venice Beach (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Smith/Mrs Magnier/Tabor/Flaxman Stables Western Hymn (GB) 6 John Gosden RJH Geffen and Rachel Hood Wicklow Brave (GB) 8 W. P. Mullins Wicklow Bloodstock (Ireland) Ltd Wild Irish Rose (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs O'Brien Winning Story (GB) 4 Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin World Stage (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier, Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith

PAGE 09 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

2017 IN THE LONG DISTANCE DIVISION:

UPCOMING RACES IN THE LONG DISTANCE DIVISION • Weatherbys Hamilton | 2m | 3yo+ | 25th August | York • Doncaster Cup | 2m2f | 3yo+ | Doncaster | 15th September | Doncaster • QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes | 1m4f | 3yo+ F&M | 21st October | Ascot

BETWAY YORKSHIRE CUP | 1M6F | 4YO+ | 8 RAN | SOFT | 13TH MAY | YORK

1st Dartmouth Sir M Stoute R Moore 11/4f

2nd Simple Verse R Beckett O Murphy 13/2

3rd High Jinx T Easterby D Allan 40/1

4th Endless Time C Appleby W Buick 5/1

5th Marmelo Morrison A Atzeni 5/1

6th Clever Cookie P Niven D Tudhope 10/1

7th Muntahaa J Gosden J Crowley 9/2

8th Crimean Tatar H Palmer J Mitchell 9/1

GOLD CUP | 2M4F | 4YO+ | 14 RAN | GOOD TO FIRM | 22ND JUNE | ASCOT

1st Big Orange M Bell J Doyle 5/1

2nd Order Of St George A O’Brien R Moore 5/6f

3rd Harbour Law L Mongan J Crowley 33/1

4th She Is No Lady R Beckett F Berry 50/1

5th Torcedor J Harrington C O’Donoghue 20/1

6th Sheikhzayedroad D Simcock M Harley 10/1

7th Sweet Selection H Morrison S De Sousa 14/1

8th Prince Of Arran C Fellowes T Queally 66/1

9th Nearly Caught H Morrison A Kirby 66/1

10th Endless Time C Appleby W Buick 20/1

11th Harrison M Channon G Lee 66/1

12th Quest For More R Charlton J Spencer 25/1

13th E Dunlop A Atzeni 50/1

14th Simple Verse R Beckett O Murphy 15/2

PAGE 10 PAGE 11 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

QATAR GOODWOOD CUP | 2M | 3YO+ | GOOD (GOOD TO SOFT) | 1ST AUGUST | GOODWOOD 1st Stradivarius J Gosden A Atzeni 6/1

2nd Big Orange M Bell L Dettori 6/4f

3rd Desert Skyline D Elsworth D Probert 14/1

4th Wicklow Brave W Mullins J Crowley 8/1

5th She Is No Lady R Beckett J Doyle 33/1

6th Pallasator Sir M Prescott O Murphy 25/1

7th Sheikhzayedroad D Simcock M Harley 10/1

8th US Army Ranger A O’Brien R Moore 8/1

9th Sweet Selection H Morrison A Kirby 33/1

10th Prince Of Arran C Fellowes S Donohoe 33/1

11th Higher Power J Fanshawe T Queally 20/1

12th High Jinx T Easterby D Allan 66/1

13th Qewy C Appleby W Buick 16/1

14th Oriental Fox M Johnston J Fanning 50/1

PAST WINNERS OF THE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP (GROUP 2)

YEAR RATING HORSE JOCKEY TRAINER 2011 120 Aidan O’Brien

2012 113 Rite of Passage Pat Smullen

2013 114 Johnny Murtagh

2014 111 Forgotten Rules Pat Smullen Dermot Weld

2015 115 Flying Officer John Gosden

2016 115 Sheikhzayedroad Martin Harley David Simcock

HISTORY OF THE RACE Established in 1873 as the Jockey Club Cup, this race was run at Newmarket until 2011, when it was moved to Ascot and renamed the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup.

The seven races in the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance category vary in distance from the mile and six furlongs (2,800m) of York’s Betway Yorkshire Cup to the two and a half miles (4,000 metres) of the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. The intermediate two-mile trip of the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup therefore provides the perfect distance for the category finale.

Having been dominated by Irish challengers in its first four years, John Gosden and Frankie Dettori recorded their first QIPCO British Champions Day success with Flying Officer in 2015. A thrilling four horse photo-finish in 2016 saw Sheikhzayedroad defeat Group 1 winners Quest For More, Simple Verse and Order Of St George to provide David Simcock with his third QIPCO British Champions Day victory.

PAGE 11 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

2:00PM QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SPRINT STAKES (GROUP 1) Total prize money £600,000 Prize money breakdown: 1st £340,260 - 2nd £129,000 3rd £64,560 - 4th £32,160 - 5th £16,140 - 6th £8,100 • 6f (1200 metres) Straight Course | 3yo+ | Maximum Field 20 • Next deadline is the second entry stage on Tuesday 3rd October • Supplementary Entries (£40,000) close by noon on Monday 16th October • Declare 10am Thursday 19th October

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: THE TIN MAN

Claiming his first Group 1, The Tin Man improved upon his fourth in the same race 12 months previously, in the process emulating his half-brother Deacon Blues who won the same contest in 2011. Despite his association with Frankel, winning jockey admitted: “I know how much this means to the syndicate who own him and I’ve probably got more buzz out of this success than any of the big winners I’ve had.” The Tin Man has already tasted QIPCO British Champions Series success this season in the Stakes.

POSSIBLE CONTENDERS THIS YEAR INCLUDE

CARAVAGGIO Placed high on a pedestal since winning last year’s at Royal Ascot in blistering fashion and record since explains why he remains held in such esteem. Lived up to expectations with a powerful display in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June, beating Harry Angel, but seemed to get going just a little too late when finishing fourth, behind that rival, in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket. A similar performance followed in the LARC but he’s still a top-drawer performer.

BRANDO Progressed throughout last season to finish the campaign on a high when third in this race, beaten little more than a length by The Tin Man. Made a solid return to win a Group 3 at Newmarket but flopped when favourite for the Duke Of York Clipper Logisitics Stakes subsequently. Much better, though, after two months off when a good third to Harry Angel in the Darley July Cup and secured first a Group 1 success in France subsequently when taking the LARC Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville. His chance must be respected in a race in which we know he can fare well. HARRY ANGEL The latest of a number of top-drawer Clive Cox-trained sprinters, who has built on high-class juvenile form to prove himself an elite performer this season. A good second to Blue Point at Ascot before winning impressively at Haydock, he was bought by Godolphin afterwards and made Caravaggio work all the way at Royal Ascot in the Commonwealth Cup before winning his first QIPCO British Champions Series prize in the Darley July Cup, reversing form with Caravaggio. Seems to be progressing with every race at present and hard to know where the improvement might end.

PAGE 12 PAGE 13 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

ENTRIES FOR QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SPRINT STAKES Entries on 8th August 2017

HORSE AGE TRAINER OWNER

Aclaim (IRE) 4 Martyn Meade Canning Downs & Partner

Alphabet (GB) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith

Battaash (IRE) 3 Charles Hills Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum

Blue Point (IRE) 3 Charlie Appleby Godolphin

Brando (GB) 5 Kevin Ryan Mrs Angie Bailey

Caravaggio (USA) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith

Cougar Mountain (IRE) 6 Aidan O'Brien M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs Magnier/Mrs O'Brien

Daban (IRE) 3 John Gosden Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah

Dabyah (IRE) 3 John Gosden Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah

Danzeno (GB) 6 Michael Appleby Mr A. M. Wragg

Don't Touch (GB) 5 Richard Fahey Nicholas Wrigley & Kevin Hart

Donjuan Triumphant (IRE) 4 Andrew Balding King Power Racing Co Ltd

Dream Castle (GB) 3 Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin

Fas (IRE) 3 Mrs P. Brandt A. Jathiere/Ballylinch Stud/. Bifov

Gifted Master (IRE) 4 Hugo Palmer Dr Ali Ridha

Gordon Lord Byron (IRE) 9 T. Hogan Dr Cyrus Poonawalla/Morgan J Cahalan

Growl (GB) 5 Richard Fahey Dr Marwan Koukash

Harry Angel (IRE) 3 Clive Cox Godolphin

Intelligence Cross (USA) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith

Jack Dexter (GB) 8 Jim Goldie Mr J. Fyffe & Mr J. S. Goldie

Kimberella (GB) 7 Richard Fahey Mr C. Titcomb

Librisa Breeze (GB) 5 Dean Ivory Mr Tony Bloom

Limato (IRE) 5 Mr Paul G. Jacobs

Love Dreams (IRE) 3 Mark Johnston Crone Stud Farms Ltd

Magical Memory (IRE) 5 Charles Hills Kennet Valley I

Marsha (IRE) 4 Sir Mark Prescott Bt Elite Racing Club

Mix And Mingle (IRE) 4 Chris Wall Ms Aida Fustoq

Mr Scarlet (GB) 3 Ms Sheila John Lavery

Only Mine (IRE) 4 Joseph G. Murphy Mrs C. C. Regalado-Gonzalez

Peace Envoy (FR) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith

Profitable (IRE) 5 Clive Cox Godolphin

Quiet Reflection (GB) 4 K. R. Burke Ontoawinner, Strecker & Burke

Second Thought (IRE) 3 William Haggas Mr Liam Sheridan

Signs of Blessing (IRE) 6 Francois Rohaut I.Corbani/Pandora Racing/A.Mouknass

Son of Rest (GB) 3 J. A. Stack B. Parker

Spirit of Valor (USA) 3 Aidan O'Brien Smith/Magnier/Tabor/Stonestreet Stables

Steady Pace (GB) 4 Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin

Tasleet (GB) 4 William Haggas Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum

The Tin Man (GB) 5 James Fanshawe Fred Archer Racing -

Tupi (IRE) 5 Richard Hannon Michael Kerr-Dineen & Martin Hughes

Washington DC (IRE) 4 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith

PAGE 13 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

2017 IN THE SPRINT DIVISION:

KING’S STAND STAKES | 5F | 3YO+ | GOOD TO FIRM | 20TH JUNE | ASCOT

1st Lady Aurelia W Ward J Velazquez 7/2

2nd Profitable C Cox J Doyle 14/1

3rd Sir M Prescott L Morris 11/4f

4th Muthmir W Haggas J Crowley 16/1

5th Take Cover D Griffiths D Allan 66/1

6th B Smart C Beasley 20/1

7th Cotai Glory C Hills S De Sousa 28/1

8th Signs Of Blessing F Rohaut S Pasquier 5/1

9th Final Venture P Midgley P Dobbs 40/1

10th Goldream R Cowell M Harley 12/1

11th Ardhoomey G Lyons C Keane 20/1

12th Priceless C Cox A Kirby 11/1

13th Willytheconqueror W Muir M Dwyer 125/1

14th Gracious John D Evans J Egan 80/1

15th Washington DC A O’Brien R Moore 8/1

16th Man J Gask A Atzeni 66/1

17th Just Glamourous R Harris S Kelly 100/1

COMMONWEALTH CUP | 6F | 3YO | GOOD TO FIRM | 23RD JUNE | ASCOT

1st Caravaggio A O’Brien R Moore 5/6f

2nd Harry Angel C Cox A Kirby 11/4

3rd Blue Point C Appleby W Buick 9/2

4th Bound For Nowhere W Ward D Flores 10/1

5th Mr Scarlet S Lavery P Smullen 80/1

6th Tis Marvellous C Cox G Mosse 33/1

7th Straight Right C Ferland O Peslier 66/1

8th Visionary R Cowell J Spencer 50/1

9th Intelligence Cross A O’Brien S Heffernan 25/1

10th Legendary Lunch R Hannon T Marquand 50/1

11th Victory Angel R Varian S De Sousa 66/1

12th Yalta M Johnston J Doyle 50/1

PAGE 14 PAGE 15 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

2017 IN THE SPRINT DIVISION:

DIAMOND JUBILEE STAKES | 6F | 4YO+ | GOOD TO FIRM (FIRM) | 24TH JUNE | ASCOT

1st The Tin Man J Fanshawe T Queally 9/2

2nd Tasleet W Haggas J Crowley 7/1

3rd Limato H Candy R Moore 2/1f

4th Librisa Breeze D Ivory R Winston 11/1

5th Finsbury Square F Chappet O Peslier 40/1

6th Tupi R Hannon S Levey 66/1

7th Suedois D O’Meara D Tudhope 25/1

8th Aclaim M Meade J Spencer 25/1

9th Al Jazi F Rohaut G Benoist 33/1

10th Kachy T Dascombe R Kingscote 33/1

11th The Right Man D Guillemin F- Bertras 14/1

12th Long On Value W Mott J Rosario 14/1

13th Comicas C Appleby W Buick 33/1

14th Dancing Star A Balding D Probert 25/1

15th Windfast B Meehan S De Sousa 66/1

16th Mobsta M Channon P Smullen 100/1

17th Kassia M Channon G Lee 100/1

18th Memory C Hills J Doyle 8/1

UR Growl R Fahey P Hanagan 40/1

DARLEY JULY CUP | 6F | 3YO+ | GOOD TO FIRM | 15TH JULY | NEWMARKET

1st Harry Angel C Cox A Kirby 9/2

2nd Limato H Candy H Bentley 4/1

3rd Brando K Ryan T Eaves 28/1

4th Caravaggio A O’Brien R Moore 10/11f

5th Intelligence Cross A O’Brien P Beggy 100/1

6th Growl R Fahey P Hanagan 50/1

7th Intisaab D O’Meara W Buick 66/1

8th The Tin Man J Fanshawe T Queally 7/1

9th Mr Lupton R Fahey J Spencer 66/1

10th Tasleet W Haggas J Crowley 9/1

PAGE 15 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

UPCOMING RACES IN THE SPRINT DIVISION • Coolmore | 5f | 2yo+ | 25th August | York • 32Red Sprint Cup | 6f | 3yo+ | 9th September | Haydock Park • QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes | 6f | 3yo+ | 21st October | Ascot

PAST WINNERS OF THE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SPRINT STAKES (GROUP 1)

YEAR RATING HORSE JOCKEY TRAINER

2011 120 Deacon Blues Johnny Murtagh James Fanshawe

2012 114 Maarek Jamie Spencer David Peter Nagle

2013 115 Wayne Lordan Edward Lynam

2014 118 Gordon Lord Byron Wayne Lordan Tom Hogan

2015 123 Charles Hills

2016 115 The Tin Man Tom Queally James Fanshawe

HISTORY OF THE RACE The event was established in 1946, and it was originally called the Diadem Stakes. It was named after Diadem (foaled 1914), a winner of several of Ascot’s leading races.

The race was given its present name in 2011 when it became part of the newly created QIPCO British Champions Day, and its purse was increased to £250,000 from £100,000.

In 2015, the QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes was upgraded from Group 2 to Group 1 status and, in response to its enhanced prestige, the race’s value was boosted from £350,000 to £600,000 establishing it as Europe’s joint-most valuable sprint.

This six-furlong (1,200 metres) contest provides the grand finale to the seven-race QIPCO British Champions Sprint division. There are three Series races run over five furlongs (1,000 metres) and four, including today’s contest, over six furlongs. Many sprinters tend to specialise over one of these distances, but the true greats have the versatility to excel over both trips.

Having won the first running under its current guise in 2011 with Deacon Blues, Newmarket trainer James Fanshawe won the race for a second time in 2016 with the The Tin Man, ridden by Tom Queally.

PAGE 16 PAGE 17 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

2:35PM QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS FILLIES’ & MARES’ STAKES (GROUP 1) Total prize money £600,000 Prize money breakdown: 1st £340,260 - 2nd £129,000 3rd £64,560 - 4th £32,160 - 5th £16,140 - 6th £8,100 • 1m4f (2400 metres) Round Course | 3yo+ Fillies & Mares | Maximum Field 19 • Contingency Inner Flat Course distance - 1m3f133yds • Next deadline is the second entry stage on Tuesday 3rd October • Supplementary Entries (£35,000) close by noon on Monday 16th October • Declare 10am Thursday 19th October

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: JOURNEY Frankie Dettori treated the appreciative crowd to one of his famous flying dismounts after steering John Gosden’s into first place. Second in the same race 12 months earlier, Journey travelled throughout with ease and held off the high-class close home. “She picked up like she had rollerskates on,” beamed Dettori. “I’m delighted she has won the Group 1 she deserved. She’s a joy to ride!”

POSSIBLE CONTENDERS THIS YEAR INCLUDE

ENABLE Only third on seasonal debut at Newbury but took a leap forward when taking the Arkle Finance Cheshire Oaks and has since reached an entirely new plateau, taking both the Investec Oaks at Epsom and its Darley-sponsored Irish equivalent by wide margins before lining-up in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored by QIPCO) at Ascot. Facing colts and older rivals for the first time, she answered every question with a performance of pure quality. Trained by a master and undoubtedly an outstanding filly.

RHODODENDRON Outstanding two-year-old filly last season, but her three-year-old campaign hasn’t proved quite so smooth. Finished her race off well when second to Winter in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas and another fine effort when chasing home Enable at Epsom, but pulled up before the race had really begun in French Oaks afterwards and now finds herself with questions to answer. Can the brilliant trainer Aidan O’Brien find the key to her again now?

WINTER Shaped encouragingly on seasonal bow and stable debut at Leopardstown in April and hasn’t looked back since, winning four Group 1s on the bounce, including three QIPCO British Champions Series contests, making her the leading performer so far this year. Overcame concerns over stamina and testing ground to score with something in hand in the Qatar Nassau Stakes on most recent start and connections keen to press on with this robust filly. She’ prove hard to beat wherever she goes.

PAGE 17 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

ENTRIES FOR QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS FILLIES’ & MARES’ STAKES Entries on 8th August 2017

HORSE AGE TRAINER OWNER

Abingdon (USA) 4 Sir Ballymacoll Stud

Ajman Princess (IRE) 4 Roger Varian Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum

Architecture (IRE) 4 Hugo Palmer Lael Stable

Baiyouna (FR) 3 A. de Royer Dupre H.H. Aga Khan

Bateel (IRE) 5 Francis-Henri Graffard Al Asayl Bloodstock Ltd

Coronet (GB) 3 John Gosden Denford Stud

Dubka (GB) 4 Sir Michael Stoute Sir Evelyn De Rothschild

Elizabeth Browning (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien China Horse International/Mrs J Magnier

Enable (GB) 3 John Gosden Mr K. Abdullah

Eziyra (IRE) 3 D. K. Weld H.H. Aga Khan

Fleur Forsyte (GB) 3 James Fanshawe Normandie Stud Ltd

Glamorous Approach (IRE) 4 J. S. Bolger Mrs J. S. Bolger

God Given (GB) 3 St Albans Bloodstock Limited

Harlequeen (GB) 4 Mick Channon Mrs S. Brandt

Horseplay (GB) 3 Andrew Balding Cliveden Stud

Hydrangea (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor

Journey (GB) 5 John Gosden Mr George Strawbridge

Lacazar (GER) 3 P. Schiergen Gestut Haus Zoppenbroich

Left Hand (GB) 4 C. Laffon-Parias Wertheimer et Frere

Melesina (IRE) 3 Richard Fahey Nick Bradley Racing (Lastroseofsummer)

Mountain Bell (GB) 4 Ralph Beckett Qatar Racing Limited

Natural Scenery (GB) 4 Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin

Nezwaah (GB) 4 Roger Varian Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum

Promising Run (USA) 4 Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin

Queen's Trust (GB) 4 Sir Michael Stoute

Rain Goddess (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith

Rhododendron (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith

Santa Monica (GB) 4 Charles O'Brien Mrs J. Magnier/Exors of Mrs J. O'Brien

Serenada (GB) 3 Roger Varian Mr Nurlan Bizakov

Seventh Heaven (IRE) 4 Aidan O'Brien Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor

Sirrin (IRE) 3 Jean Claude Rouget H.H. Aga Khan

Smart Call (SAF) 6 Sir Michael Stoute Miss Jessica Slack

So Mi Dar (GB) 4 John Gosden Lord Lloyd-Webber

Tansholpan (GB) 3 Roger Varian Mr Nurlan Bizakov

Terrakova (IRE) 3 F. Head Wertheimer et Frere

That Which Is Not (USA) 4 Francis-Henri Graffard Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd

The Black Princess (FR) 4 John Gosden Mr R. J. H. Geffen

The Juliet Rose (FR) 4 N. Clement Mayfair Speculators/Equifrance Holdings

To Eternity (GB) 4 John Gosden Lady Bamford

Vintage Folly (GB) 3 Hugo Palmer Mr R. W. Hill-Smith

What A Home (IRE) 3 William Haggas Sunderland Holding Inc.

Wild Irish Rose (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs O'Brien

Winter (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith

Zhukova (IRE) 5 D. K. Weld Mrs C. C. Regalado-Gonzalez

PAGE 18 PAGE 19 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

2017 IN THE FILLIES’ & MARES’ DIVISION:

QIPCO 1000 GUINEAS | 1M | 3YO FILLIES | GOOD TO FIRM | 7TH MAY | NEWMARKET 1st Winter A O’Brien W Lordan 9/1 2nd Rhododendron A O’Brien R Moore 5/4f 3rd Daban J Gosden L Dettori 5/1 4th Talaayeb O Burrows J Crowley 11/1 5th Fair Eva R Charlton J Doyle 8/1 6th Unforgetable Filly H Palmer W Buick 25/1 7th Poet’s Vanity A Balding D Probert 20/1 8th Urban Fox J Tate M Harley 50/1 9th Queen Kindly R Fahey G Mosse 33/1 10th A O’Brien P Beggy 9/1 11th Kilmah M Johnston R Kingscote 100/1 12th Intricately J O’Brien D O’Brien 20/1 13th Ce La Vie K Dalgleish T Queally 150/1 14th Dream Start J Ryan J Gordon 200/1

INVESTEC OAKS | 1M4F | 3YO FILLIES | GOOD | 2ND JUNE | EPSOM DOWNS 1st Enable J Gosden L Dettori 6/1 2nd Rhododendron A O’Brien R Moore 8/11f 3rd Alluringly A O’Brien S Heffernan 16/1 4th Horseplay A Balding O Murphy 14/1 5th J Gosden A Atzeni 12/1 6th Isabel De Urbina R Beckett F Berry 33/1 7th Pocketfullofdreams A O’Brien D O’Brien 50/1 8th Sobetsu C Appleby W Buick 6/1 9th Natavia R Charlton P Smullen 12/1

CORONATION STAKES | 1M | 3YO FILLIES | GOOD TO FIRM | 23RD JUNE | ASCOT 1st Winter A O’Brien R Moore 4/9f 2nd Roly Poly A O’Brien S Heffernan 12/1 3rd Hydrangea A O’Brien P Beggy 16/1 4th Dabyah J Gosden J Crowley 13/2 5th La Coronel M Casse F Geroux 25/1 6th Tomyris R Varian A Atzeni 33/1 7th Precieuse F Chappet O Peslier 8/1

PAGE 19 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

2017 IN THE FILLIES’ & MARES’ DIVISION:

TATTERSALLS | 1M | 3YO+ F&M | GOOD | 14TH JULY | NEWMARKET

1st Roly Poly A O’Brien R Moore 6/4f

2nd C Appleby W Buick 3/1

3rd Arabian Hope S Bin Suroor J Gordon 13/2

4th Sea Of Grace W Haggas A Atzeni 9/2

5th Delectation A Wohler E Pedroza 16/1

6th Greta G J Gosden J Crowley 14/1

7th Opal Tiara M Channon R Whelan 25/1

QATAR NASSAU STAKES | 1M2F | 3YO+ F&M | SOFT (HEAVY) | 3RD AUGUST | GOODWOOD

1st Winter A O’Brien R Moore 10/11f

2nd Blond Me A Balding O Murphy 16/1

3rd Sobetsu C Appleby W Buick 6/1

4th Hydrangea A O’Brien S Heffernan 10/1

5th So Mi Dar J Gosden L Dettori 4/1

6th Queen’s Trust Sir M Stoute J Crowley 8/1

UPCOMING RACES IN THE FILLIES’ AND MARES’ DIVISION

• Darley | 1m4f | 3yo+ F&M | 24th August | York • QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes | 1m4f | 3yo+ F&M | 21st October | Ascot

PAGE 20 PAGE 21 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

PAST WINNERS OF THE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS FILLIES’ & MARES’ STAKES (GROUP 1)

YEAR RATING HORSE JOCKEY TRAINER

2011 117 Johnny Murtagh William Haggas

2012 116 Sapphire Pat Smullen Dermot Weld

2013 116 George Baker James Fanshawe

2014 113 Madame Chiang Jim Crowley David Simcock

2015 116 Simple Verse Ralph Beckett

2016 115 Journey Frankie Dettori John Gosden

HISTORY OF THE RACE The genealogy of the QIPCO British Champions Fillies’ & Mares’ Stakes dates back to 1946, when Ascot staged the for the first time. In 2008 it was renamed the and moved to Newmarket, but it returned to Ascot under its current name in 2011.

The new race was given a boost in its very first year as it was won by none other than the Investec Oaks and Preis der Diana (German Oaks) winner, Dancing Rain, a dual Classic heroine having her final European start. Simple Verse was the second Classic winner to claim the spoils in its short recent history when successful in 2015. The race was awarded Group 1 status in 2013 and now boasts prize money of £600,000, making it Britain’s joint-most valuable fillies-only race.

PAGE 21 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

3:10PM QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES (SPONSORED BY QIPCO) (GROUP 1) Total prize money £1,100,000 Prize money breakdown: 1st £623,810 - 2nd £236,500 3rd £118,360 - 4th £58,960 - 5th £29,590 - 6th £14,850 • 1m (1600 metres) Straight Course | 3yo+ | Maximum Field 30 • Next deadline is the second entry stage on Tuesday 3rd October • Supplementary Entries (£70,000) close by noon on Monday 16th October • Declare 10am Thursday 19th October

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: MINDING The remarkable Minding put the seal on an incredible season with a fifth Group 1 victory, confirming her position as a supreme performer by beating the best of the boys having already proven herself much the best of her own sex. Ribchester and pushed her to the line, but got no closer than the half-length winning margin. Aidan O’Brien, winning on QIPCO British Champions Day for a third time, hailed her as being “quite incredible”.

POSSIBLE CONTENDERS THIS YEAR INCLUDE

CHURCHILL Outstanding dual Group 1-winning two-year-old last season who returned with another high-class performance when taking the QIPCO 2000 Guineas on his return. Followed up in softer ground in the Irish version and looked bombproof heading into Royal Ascot, only to come up unexpectedly short in the St James’s Palace Stakes, being caught out of his ground and finishing fourth. Connections believe that run can be overlooked and hard to believe his flame can’t be rekindled.

RIBCHESTER Dependable, versatile and pure quality. Ribchester doesn’t know how to run a bad race and returns to this raceday with his reputation enhanced since finishing second to Minding in this race 12 months ago. A fine advertisement for the powers of Richard Fahey, he followed up a stylish success at the start of this season in Newbury’s Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes with another QIPCO British Champions series success in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot before a forgiveable defeat in the Qatar Sussex Stakes.

THUNDER SNOW Highly-talented flagbearer for Saeed bin Suroor in recent times, winning a Group 1 in France in bottomless conditions at the end of last year but just as effective on quicker ground and took big races in before latest big-race success back in France in the . Looked held on merit behind Barney Roy at Royal Ascot in June, but wasn’t beaten at all far and possesses a very solid overall profile despite occasional signs of a mischievous streak, which saw him refuse to race in the Derby.

PAGE 22 PAGE 23 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

ENTRIES FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES (SPONSORED BY QIPCO) Entries on 8th August 2017

HORSE AGE TRAINER OWNER

Afjaan (IRE) 5 William Haggas Al Shaqab Racing (IRE) 4 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Al Wukair (IRE) 3 A. Fabre Al Shaqab Racing Barney Roy (GB) 3 Richard Hannon Godolphin Beat The Bank (GB) 3 Andrew Balding King Power Racing Co Ltd (GB) 3 Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Breton Rock (IRE) 7 David Simcock Mr John Cook Cape Byron (GB) 3 Roger Varian Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum Churchill (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Cliffs of Moher (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier Deauville (IRE) 4 Aidan O'Brien Mrs F Hay/M Tabor/Mrs J Magnier/D Smith Dicton (GB) 4 Gianluca Bietolini Mr Robert Ng Dream Castle (GB) 3 Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Gabrial (IRE) 8 Richard Fahey Dr Marwan Koukash Gold Luck (FR) 3 F. Head Wertheimer et Frere Hathal (USA) 5 William Haggas Al Shaqab Racing Here Comes When (IRE) 7 Andrew Balding Mrs Fitri Hay Hydrangea (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Inns of Court (IRE) 3 A. Fabre Godolphin S.N.C. Lahore (USA) 3 Roger Varian Prince A. A. Faisal Lancaster Bomber (USA) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Laugh Aloud (GB) 4 John Gosden Godolphin Le Brivido (FR) 3 A. Fabre HRH Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Librisa Breeze (GB) 5 Dean Ivory Mr Tony Bloom (GB) 6 David Simcock Qatar Racing Limited Massaat (IRE) 4 Owen Burrows Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum Mitchum Swagger (GB) 5 David Lanigan Paul Dean & The Mitchum Swagger P'Ship Morando (FR) 4 Roger Varian H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani Nathra (IRE) 4 John Gosden Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah (IRE) 4 John Gosden Cheveley Park Stud Rhododendron (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Ribchester (IRE) 4 Richard Fahey Godolphin Roly Poly (USA) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Sea of Grace (IRE) 3 William Haggas Sunderland Holding Inc. Senga (USA) 3 P. Bary Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd Shutter Speed (GB) 3 John Gosden Mr K. Abdullah Sir John Lavery (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier Siyoushake (IRE) 5 F. Head Roy Racing/A. Morley Success Days (IRE) 5 K. J. Condon Mr Robert Ng Taareef (USA) 4 Jean Claude Rouget Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum (IRE) 3 Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Toscanini (IRE) 5 Richard Fahey Godolphin Trais Fluors (GB) 3 A. Fabre Haras de Saint Pair Scea Victory Bond (GB) 4 William Haggas Bloomsbury Stud War Decree (USA) 3 Aidan O'Brien A Rosen/Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith Winter (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Zelzal (FR) 4 Jean Claude Rouget Al Shaqab Racing Zonderland (GB) 4 Clive Cox Cheveley Park Stud

PAGE 23 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

2017 IN THE MILE DIVISION:

QIPCO 2000 GUINEAS | 1M | 3YO | GOOD TO FIRM | 6TH MAY | NEWMARKET 1st Churchill A O’Brien R Moore 6/4f 2nd Barney Roy R Hannon J Doyle 7/2 3rd Al Wukair A Fabre G Benoist 11/2 4th Lancaster Bomber A O’Brien D O’Brien 14/1 5th Dream Castle S Bin Suroor S De Sousa 8/1 6th Eminent M Meade J Crowley 5/1 7th Top Score S Bin Suroor J Fanning 100/1 8th Spirit Of Valor A O’Brien S Heffernan 33/1 9th Larchmont Lad R Hannon W Buick 33/1 10th Law And Order J Tate M Harley 100/1

AL SHAQAB LOCKINGE STAKES | 1M | 4YO+ | SOFT | 20TH MAY | NEWBURY 1st Ribchester R Fahey W Buick 7/4f 2nd Lightning Spear D Simcock O Murphy 9/2 3rd Breton Rock D Simcock A Atzeni 25/1 4th Somehow A O’Brien R Moore 100/30 5th Gold H Palmer L Dettori 9/2 6th Aclaim M Meade J Spencer 9/1 7th Mitchum Swagger D Lanigan T Queally 25/1 8th Toscanini R Fahey P Hanagan 50/1

QUEEN ANNE STAKES | 1M | 4YO+ | GOOD TO FIRM | 20TH JUNE | ASCOT 1st Ribchester R Fahey W Buick 11/10f 2nd Mutakayyef W Haggas J Crowley 5/1 3rd Deauville A O’Brien R Moore 12/1 4th Spectre M Munch S Pasquier 50/1 5th Kaspersky J Chapple-Hyam M Payne 66/1 6th Dutch Connection C Hills J Doyle 25/1 7th Cougar Mountain A O’Brien D O’Brien 33/1 8th Oh This Is Us R Hannon P Dobbs 33/1 9th Lightning Spear D Simcock J Spencer 11/2 10th Jallota C Hills S De Sousa 40/1 11th American Patriot T Pletcher J Velazquez 20/1 12th Kool Kompany R Hannon P Smullen 50/1 13th Miss Temple City G Motion E Prado 20/1 14th Toscanini R Fahey P Hanagan 150/1 15th Ennaadd R Varian A Atzeni 16/1 16th Dutch Uncle R Cowell M Harley 200/1

PAGE 24 PAGE 25 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

2017 IN THE MILE DIVISION:

ST JAMES’S PALACE STAKES | 1M | 3YO | GOOD TO FIRM | 20TH JUNE | ASCOT 1st Barney Roy R Hannon J Doyle 5/2 2nd Lancaster Bomber A O’Brien D O’Brien 12/1 3rd Thunder Snow S Bin Suroor C Soumillon 6/1 4th Churchill A O’Brien R Moore 1/2f 5th Forest Ranger R Fahey T Hamilton 33/1 6th W Haggas A Atzeni 16/1 7th Mr Scaramanga S Dow H Bentley 66/1 8th Peace Envoy A O’Brien S Heffernan 33/1

QATAR SUSSEX STAKES | 1M | 4YO+ | SOFT | 2ND AUGUST | GOODWOOD 1st Here Comes When A Balding J Crowley 20/1 2nd Ribchester R Fahey W Buick 8/13f 3rd Lightning Spear D Simcock O Murphy 8/1 4th Zelzal J-C Rouget L Dettori 4/1 5th Toscanini R Fahey J Doyle 66/1 6th Lancaster Bomber A O’Brien R Moore 8/1 7th Kool Kompany R Hannon A Atzeni 40/1

UPCOMING RACES IN THE MILE DIVISION • Kingdom of Bahrain Stakes | 1m | 3yo+ F&M | 7th October | Newmarket • Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored by QIPCO) | 1m | 3yo+ | 21st October | Ascot

HISTORY OF THE RACE Long recognised as Europe’s , 1,600 metre races come no bigger than this anywhere on the international stage. Carrying a cool £1.1 million in prizemoney, the race has entered a different stratosphere in financial terms, boosted from £250,000 in 2010 when it was run at Ascot’s late September meeting. It is now by far the richest mile race in Europe and one of the most valuable anywhere in the world.

Named in honour of The Queen in 1955, the race has a roll of honour packed full of stars, including (1971 & 1972), (1980), (1999) and the awesome Frankel, who took the contest in 2011 in effortless fashion. After a dozen straight home wins leading up to 2005, the winner’s trophy has been taken overseas five times in the last nine years, with , and Minding taking the last three renewals.

In 2016, after victories in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas, Investec Oaks, Darley and Darley Yorkshire Oaks, Minding became the first filly to be successful since in 1987 and Aidan O’Brien’s fourth winner in the race.

The race also holds special memories for Frankie Dettori. It provided him with his first-ever Group 1 victory thanks to in 1990 and six years later was the third leg of his ‘Magnificent Seven’ when he won all seven races on that famous (or infamous if you were a bookmaker) Ascot card.

PAGE 25 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES (SPONSORED BY QIPCO) (GROUP 1) WINNERS AND RATINGS 2000-2016

YEAR RATING HORSE JOCKEY TRAINER OWNER

2000 126 John Gosden Khalid Abdullah

2001 122 Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin

2002 123 Kevin Darley Terry Mills John Humphreys

2003 127 Luca Cumani Rencati/Yoshida

2004 123 Rakti Gary Tanaka

2005 124 Luca Cumani The Australian Syndicate

2006 127 George Washington Mick Kinane Aidan O’Brien Magnier/ Tabor/ Smith

2007 123 Frankie Dettori Saeed Bin Suroor Godolphin

2008 129 Raven’s Pass John Gosden Princess Haya of Jordan

2009 129 Johnny Murtagh Aidan O’Brien Magnier/ Tabor/ Smith

2010 122 Poet’s Voice Frankie Dettori Saeed Bin Suroor Godolphin

2011 136 Frankel Tom Queally Sir Khalid Abdullah

2012 130 Joseph O’Brien Aidan O’Brien Smith/ Magnier/ Tabor

2013 125 Olympic Glory Richard Hannon Sr Sheikh Joaan Al Thani

2014 122 Charm Spirit Sheikh Abdulla Bin Khalifa Al Thani

2015 125 Solow Maxime Guyon Freddy Head Wertheimer & Frère

2016 120 Minding Ryan Moore Aidan O’Brien Smith/ Magnier/ Tabor

PAGE 26 PAGE 27 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

ROLL OF HONOUR 1970-1999 FOR THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES FIRST RUN IN 1955 AND RUN AT NEWMARKET IN 2005 WHEN ASCOT WAS BEING REDEVELOPED.

YEAR HORSE AGE JOCKEY TRAINER OWNER

1970 Welsh Pageant 4 Sandy Barclay Jim Joel

1971 Brigadier Gerard 3 Jean Hislop

1972 Brigadier Gerard 4 Joe Mercer Dick Hern Jean Hislop

1973 Jan Ekels 4 Jimmy Lindley Anthony Bodie

1974 Track Waterlogged

1975 3 Fulke Johnson Houghton Jane Engelhard

1976 Rose Bowl 4 Willie Carson Fulke Johnson Houghton Jane Engelhard

1977 Trusted 4 Willie Carson John Dunlop Duchess of Norfolk

1978 3 Willie Carson Dick Hern 2nd Baron Rotherwick

1979 3 Joe Mercer Sir Henry Cecil Lord Howard de Walden

1980 Known Fact 3 Willie Carson Khalid Abdullah

1981 To-Agori-Mou 3 Guy Harwood Andry Muinos

1982 Buzzards Bay 4 Hugh Collingridge Vera McKinney

1983 Sackford 3 Guy Harwood Anthony Bodie

1984 Teleprompter 4 Willie Carson Bill Watts 18th Earl of Derby

1985 3 Walter Swinburn Sir Michael Stoute Maktoum Al Maktoum

1986 Sure Blade 3 Brent Thomson Guy Harwood Sheikh Mohammad

1987 Milligram 3 Sir Michael Stoute Helena Springfield Ltd

1988 3 Pat Eddery Guy Harwood Khalid Abdullah

1989 3 Walter Swinburn Sir Michael Stoute Mana Al Maktoum

1990 Markofdistinction 4 Frankie Dettori Luca Cumani Gerald Leigh

1991 3 George Strawbridge

1992 4 Willie Carson John Dunlop Hamdan Al Maktoum

1993 3 Pat Eddery Elie Lellouche

1994 Maroof 4 Richard Hills Robert Armstrong Hamdan Al Maktoum

1995 Bahri 3 Willie Carson John Dunlop Hamdan Al Maktoum

1996 Mark of Esteem 3 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin

1997 3 Olivier Peslier Mohamed Obaida

1998 3 Olivier Peslier David Loder Lucayan Stud

1999 Dubai Millennium 3 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin

PAGE 27 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

3:45PM QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES (GROUP 1) Total prize money £1,300,000 Prize money breakdown: 1st £737,230 - 2nd £279,500 - 3rd £139,880 - 4th £69,680 - 5th £34,970 - 6th £17,550 • 1m2f (2000 metres) | 3yo+ | Maximum Field 14 • Contingency Inner Flat Course distance - 1m2f • Next deadline is the second entry stage on Tuesday 3rd October • Confirmation by Noon Monday 16th October • Supplementary Entries (£75,000) close by noon on Monday 16th October • Declare 10am Thursday 19th October

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: ALMANZOR Having announced himself as a high-class colt in France when taking the Prix du Jockey-Club at Chantilly, he moved on to a new plateau in the autumn with victories in the at Leopardstown and then in this mighty race, where he stayed on with typical power to beat Found by two lengths. Victory confirmed him the supreme middle-distance performer in Europe and after an injury-interrupted start to this season, he is due to return to the track at Deauville during August.

POSSIBLE CONTENDERS THIS YEAR INCLUDE HIGHLAND REEL Already the winner of two QIPCO British Champions Series contests this year, his hallmark is fortitude and determination. Travel problems meant that he arrived late into Epsom before the Investec , but he proved unflappable and unstoppable in the race. Then dropped in trip for the Prince of ’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, he fought like a lion in the home straight to see off a series of challengers. No QIPCO British Champions Day contender will have more heart.

BARNEY ROY Bought by Godolphin on the strength of one maiden-race success last season, he has lived up to every expectation when following up victory in the on his return to action and then losing out only to Churchill in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas. He reversed that form subsequently on the biggest stage at Royal Ascot and lost nothing in defeat afterwards when stepped up to 10 furlongs and beaten a nostril by Ulysses in the Coral-Eclipse.

ULYSSES Delivered a reminder of the training talents of Sir Michael Stoute when returning to winning form with a polished performance in the Coral- at Sandown in early July. Ridden more patiently than when third behind Highland Reel at Royal Ascot, he travelled eye-catchingly well and fought to hold off Barney Roy close home, before being best of the rest behind Enable in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored by QIPCO). Clearly an improved performer at four, his presence would add considerably to this contest.

PAGE 28 PAGE 29 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

ENTRIES FOR QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES Entries on 8th August 2017

HORSE AGE TRAINER OWNER

Afandem (FR) 3 Jean Claude Rouget Al Shaqab Racing Almanzor (FR) 4 Jean Claude Rouget Ecurie Antonio Caro Al Wukair (IRE) 3 A. Fabre Al Shaqab Racing Autocratic (GB) 4 Sir Michael Stoute Cheveley Park Stud Barney Roy (GB) 3 Richard Hannon Godolphin Benbatl (GB) 3 Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Best of Days (GB) 3 Hugo Palmer Godolphin Best Solution (IRE) 3 Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Brametot (IRE) 3 Jean Claude Rouget Al Shaqab/G. Augustin-Normand Cape Byron (GB) 3 Roger Varian Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum Capri (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Churchill (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Cliffs of Moher (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier Cracksman (GB) 3 John Gosden Mr A. E. Oppenheimer Deauville (IRE) 4 Aidan O'Brien Mrs F Hay/M Tabor/Mrs J Magnier/D Smith (GB) 5 Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar Desert Encounter (IRE) 5 David Simcock Mr Abdulla Al Mansoori Eminent (IRE) 3 Martyn Meade Sir Peter Vela & Ladyswood Stud Enable (GB) 3 John Gosden Mr K. Abdullah Hathal (USA) 5 William Haggas Al Shaqab Racing (USA) 4 Charlie Appleby Godolphin Highland Reel (IRE) 5 Aidan O'Brien Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Hydrangea (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Idaho (IRE) 4 Aidan O'Brien Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier (GB) 5 John Gosden Godolphin & Partners Lancaster Bomber (USA) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Last Kingdom (USA) 3 A. Fabre Prince A. A. Faisal Maverick Wave (USA) 6 John Gosden Godolphin (IRE) 5 Clive Cox Paul & Clare Rooney Permian (IRE) 3 Mark Johnston Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Poet's Word (IRE) 4 Sir Michael Stoute Mr Saeed Suhail Qatari Hunter (IRE) 4 J. S. Bolger Mr Mubarak Al Naemi Racing History (IRE) 5 Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Recoletos (FR) 3 C. Laffon-Parias Sarl Darpat France Rhododendron (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Roly Poly (USA) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Senga (USA) 3 P. Bary Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd Shutter Speed (GB) 3 John Gosden Mr K. Abdullah Sir John Lavery (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier So Mi Dar (GB) 4 John Gosden Lord Lloyd-Webber Success Days (IRE) 5 K. J. Condon Mr Robert Ng Taareef (USA) 4 Jean Claude Rouget Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum Taj Mahal (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Thunder Snow (IRE) 3 Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Ulysses (IRE) 4 Sir Michael Stoute Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd War Decree (USA) 3 Aidan O'Brien A Rosen/Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith Winter (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Yucatan (IRE) 3 Aidan O'Brien Flaxman Stables/Mrs Magnier/Tabor/Smith Zarak (FR) 4 A. de Royer Dupre H.H. Aga Khan

PAGE 29 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

2017 IN THE MIDDLE DISTANCE DIVISION:

INVESTEC CORONATION CUP | 1M4F | 4YO+ | 10 RAN | GOOD | 2ND JUNE | EPSOM

1st Highland Reel A O’Brien R Moore 9/4f

2nd Frontiersman C Appleby J Doyle 9/1

3rd Hawkbill C Appleby W Buick 11/2

4th Elbereth A Balding O Murphy 33/1

5th Journey J Gosden L Dettori 7/2

6th Idaho A O’Brien S Heffernan 11/1

7th Red Verdon E Dunlop P Smullen 33/1

8th Air Pilot R Beckett F Berry 25/1

9th Prize Money S Bin Suroor O Peslier 10/1

10th US Army Ranger A O’Brien D O’Brien 8/1

INVESTEC DERBY | 1M4F | 3YO | 18 RAN | GOOD | 3RD JUNE | EPSOM

1st Wings Of Eagles A O’Brien P Beggy 40/1

2nd Cliffs Of Moher A O’Brien R Moore 5/1

3rd Cracksman J Gosden L Dettori 7/2f

4th Eminent M Meade J Crowley 5/1

5th Benbatl S Bin Suroor O Murphy 20/1

6th Capri A O’Brien S Heffernan 16/1

7th Douglas Macarthur A O’Brien C O’Donoghue 25/1

8th Best Solution S Bin Suroor P Cosgrave 12/1

9th Glencadam Glory J Gosden J Doyle 33/1

10th Permian M Johnston W Buick 8/1

11th Dubai Thunder S Bin Suroor A Kirby 9/1

12th Venice Beach A O’Brien D O’Brien 12/1

13th Salouen S Kirk F Berry 33/1

14th Khalidi J Gosden P Smullen 20/1

15th Crowned Eagle J Gosden A Atzeni 33/1

16th Rekindling J O’Brien W Lordan 25/1

17th The Anvil A O’Brien Ana O’Brien 66/1

18th Pealer J Gosden S De Sousa 100/1

PAGE 30 PAGE 31 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

2017 IN THE MIDDLE DISTANCE DIVISION:

PRINCE OF WALES’S STAKES | 1M2F | 4YO+ | 8 RAN | GOOD TO FIRM | 21ST JUNE | ASCOT 1st Highland Reel A O’Brien R Moore 9/4 2nd Decorated Knight R Charlton A Atzeni 10/1 3rd Ulysses Sir M Stoute J Crowley 9/2 4th Queen’s Trust Sir M Stoute O Peslier 16/1 5th Scottish C Appleby J Doyle 20/1 6th Mekhtaal J-C Rouget G Benoist 17/2 7th Johannes Vermeer A O’Brien D O’Brien 50/1 8th Jack Hobbs J Gosden W Buick 2/1f

CORAL-ECLIPSE | 1M2F | 3YO+ | 8 RAN | GOOD TO FIRM (FIRM) | 8TH JULY | SANDOWN PARK 1st Ulysses Sir M Stoute J Crowley 8/1 2nd Barney Roy R Hannon J Doyle 9/4 3rd Desert Encounter D Simcock S Levey 50/1 4th Cliffs Of Moher A O’Brien R Moore 7/4f 5th Eminent M Meade S De Sousa 4/1 6th Decorated Knight R Charlton O Peslier 10/1 7th Lightning Spear D Simcock O Murphy 25/1 8th Salouen S Kirk W Buick 33/1 9th Taj Mahal A O’Brien P Beggy 50/1

KING GEORGE VI & QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES (SPONSORED BY QIPCO) | 1M4F | 3YO+ | 8 RAN | GOOD TO FIRM | 29TH JULY | ASCOT 1st Enable J Gosden L Dettori 5/4f 2nd Ulysses Sir M Stoute J Crowley 9/1 3rd Idaho A O’Brien S Heffernan 8/1 4th Highland Reel A O’Brien R Moore 9/2 5th Benbatl S Bin Suroor O Murphy 14/1 6th Desert Encounter D Simcock S Levey 33/1 7th My Dream Boat C Cox A Kirby 16/1 8th Maverick Wave J Gosden G Lee 100/1 9th Jack Hobbs J Gosden W Buick 11/2 10th Sixties Song A F Gaitan Dassie G Mosse 33/1

UPCOMING RACES IN THE MIDDLE DISTANCE DIVISION • Juddmonte International | 1m2f | 3yo+ | York | 23rd August • QIPCO Champions Stakes | 1m2f | 3yo+ | Ascot | 21st October

PAGE 31 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

HISTORY OF THE RACE With £1.3 million in prize money, the QIPCO Champion Stakes over one mile and two furlongs (2,000 metres) is the most valuable ten-furlong race in Europe. Following on from iconic races like the Investec Derby and King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored by QIPCO), this is the final, pulsating showdown in the QIPCO British Champions Series Middle Distance division.

The race brought a great heritage with it from Newmarket, where it had been run from its inception in 1877 until 2010. But the dramatic injection in prize money that accompanied its move to become the glittering highlight of the new QIPCO British Champions Day has changed its status completely.

Each of the six renewals in the race’s new surroundings have produced top-quality fields and thrilling finishes. The first set the bar high, with French raider getting the better of Aussie superstar with two champion mares, and Midday, further behind. For quality and drama few races could ever match the 2012 running, when Frankel completed his career unbeaten despite unsuitable ground and a very slow start from the stalls.

2013 saw Farhh prevail in a three-way battle, while in 2014 we were treated to a spine-tingling duel between and , who ultimately came out on top for Lady Cecil. In 2015, QIPCO British Champions Day dream team Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen (who have each enjoyed four winners on the day over the past six years) pounced late to land the spoils with .

Last year Almanzor completed a stunning sequence of five victories with a dramatic defeat of Prix de l’Arc De Triomphe winner Found to provide French trainer Jean-Claude Rouget and Belgian jockey with their second winner of the race. In the subsequent World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, Almanzor was ranked the fourth-best racehorse in the world, making him the top-rated horse trained in Europe. The QIPCO Champion Stakes was also rated the fifth-best Group 1 race in the world in 2016.

QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES WINNERS AND RATINGS 2000-2016

YEAR RATING HORSE JOCKEY TRAINER OWNER 2000 126 Johnny Murtagh Sir Michael Stoute HH Aga Khan IV 2001 121 Richard Hills Marcus Tregoning Hamdan Al Maktoum 2002 121 Storming Home Maktoum Al Maktoum 2003 121 Rakti Philip Robinson Michael Jarvis Gary Tanaka 2004 124 Richard Hills Barry Hills Hamdan Al Maktoum 2005 123 David Junior Jamie Spencer Brian Meehan Roldvale Ltd 2006 123 Pride Christophe Lemaire Alain De Royer Dupre NP Bloodstock Ltd 2007 123 Christophe Lemaire Jean-Claude Rouget Herve Morin 2008 130 Kevin Manning Jim Bolger Princess Haya of Jordan 2009 123 Tom Queally Sir Henry Cecil Khalid Abdullah 2010 125 Twice Over Tom Queally Sir Henry Cecil Khalid Abdullah 2011 128 Cirrus des Aigles Christophe Soumillon Mrs Barande-Barbe Jean-Claude Dupouy 2012 140 Frankel Tom Queally Sir Henry Cecil Khalid Abdullah 2013 124 Farhh Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin 2014 122 Noble Mission Lady Jane Cecil Khalid Abdullah 2015 123 Fascinating Rock Pat Smullen Dermot Weld Newtown Anner Stud Farm Ltd 2016 127 Almanzor Christophe Soumillon Jean-Claude Rouget Ecurie Antonio Caro

PAGE 32 PAGE 33 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES ROLL OF HONOUR 1970-1999 FIRST RUN IN 1877 AND HELD AT NEWMARKET UP TO 2010

YEAR HORSE AGE JOCKEY TRAINER OWNER

1970 5 Noel Murless Charles St George

1971 Brigadier Gerard 3 Joe Mercer Dick Hern Jean Hislop

1972 Brigadier Gerard 4 Joe Mercer Dick Hern Jean Hislop

1973 Hurry Harriet 3 Jean Cruguet Paddy Mullins Malcolm Thorp

1974 3 Lester Piggott Charles St George

1975 Rose Bowl 3 Willie Carson Fulke Johnon Houghton Jane Engelhard

1976 3 Pat Eddery Mrs Marc Laloum

1977 Flying Waters 4 Yves Saint-Martin Angel Penna Daniel Wildenstein

1978 3 Greville Starkey Paul Kelleway Max Fine

1979 3 Philippe Paquet Francois Boutin Anne-Marie d’Estainville

1980 Cairn Rouge 3 Tony Murray Michael Cunningham D. Brady

1981 3 Yves Saint-Martin Francois Mathet HH Aga Khan IV

1982 3 Billy Newnes Henry Candy Robert Barnet

1983 3 Barry Hills Bobby McAlphine

1984 Palace 3 Yves Saint-Martin Patrick Biancone Nelson Bunker Hunt

1985 4 Pat Eddery Clive Brittain Sheikh Mohammed

1986 4 Tony Cruz Patrick Biancone Alan Clore

1987 Triptych 5 Tony Cruz Patrick Biancone Alan Clore

1988 Indian Skimmer 4 Michael Roberts Sir Henry Cecil Sheikh Mohammed

1989 Legal Case 3 Ray Cochrane Luca Cumani Sir Gordon White

1990 3 Steve Cauthen David Elsworth Brian Cooper

1991 Tel Quel 3 Andre Fabre Sheikh Mohammed

1992 3 Lester Piggott Peter Chapple-Hyam

1993 Hatoof 4 Walter Swinburn Criquette Head Maktoum Al Maktoum

1994 Dernier Empereur 4 Sylvain Guillot Andre Fabre Gary Tanaka

1995 3 Peter Chapple-Hyam Lord Weinstock

1996 3 Pat Eddery Sir Henry Cecil Wafic Said

1997 5 Sir Michael Stoute Lord Weinstock

1998 3 Sir Mark Prescott Kirsten Rausing

1999 Alborada 4 George Duffield Sir Mark Prescott Kirsten Rausing

PAGE 33 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

4:25PM BALMORAL HANDICAP (SPONSORED BY QIPCO) Total prize money £250,000 BH Prize money breakdown: 1st £155,625 - 2nd £46,600 3rd £23,300 - 4th £11,650 - 5th £5,825 6th £2,925 • 1m (1600m) Straight Course | 3yo+ | Maximum Field 20 • Entries close at Noon Tuesday 26th September • Confirmation at Noon Monday 16th October • Declare 10am Thursday 19th October • Winners after 1st October to carry a 6lb penalty

LAST YEAR’S WINNER: YUFTEN Trainer Roger Charlton saddled his first QIPCO British Champions Day winner when the enigmatic Yuften took Europe’s most valuable one-mile handicap under Andrea Atzeni. It was welcome compensation for Charlton, who had watched his Quest For More being narrowly edged out in the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup. Yuften had been switched to join the stable only a couple of months earlier by his foresighted owners, in the hope that a change of scenery might rekindle his fortunes.

HISTORY OF THE RACE Named after the castle in Scotland that has belonged to the British Royal Family since it was purchased by Prince Albert, consort to Queen Victoria, in 1852, the Balmoral Handicap was inaugurated in 2014.

A race known as the Balmoral Handicap had previously been staged over five furlongs at the Royal Meeting, discontinued in 2004 in favour of the new Windsor Forest Stakes for fillies and mares. The Ascot Executive always intended to bring the name back when the appropriate opportunity arose, and Her Majesty The Queen graciously consented to it being re-introduced on QIPCO British Champions Day.

The new Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored By QIPCO), with its £250,000 race value, is the richest one-mile (1,600 metre) handicap in Europe.

In its inaugural running, the race could not have had a more popular winner than Marcus Tregoning’s Angel, who had built up a legion of fans via his two triumphs, in 2012 and 2014, in another of Britain’s most prestigious handicaps, the Betfred Cambridgeshire. His victory also showcased an exciting new riding in the shape of 20-year-old Louis Steward. In 2015, although open to all jockeys, it was another apprentice who stole the show when 17-year-old Eddy Greatrex scored aboard Musaddas for Godolphin.

The latest renewal saw Andrea Atzeni, aboard the Roger Charlton-trained Yuften, record his second QIPCO British Champions Day winner.

YEAR HORSE JOCKEY TRAINER OWNER

2014 Bronze Angel Lady Tennant Marcus Tregoning Louis Steward (3)

2015 Musaddas Godolphin Saeed Bin Suroor Eddy Greatex (5)

2016 Yuften Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar Roger Charlton Andrea Atzeni

PAGE 34 PAGE 35 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

PAGE 35 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY - WHERE CHAMPIONS ARE CROWNED

Quite simply, victory in the 2016 Stobart Flat Jockeys’ Championship proved a career-changing achievement for Jim Crowley. Having begun the year rated a 50/1 shot by the bookmakers to take the title, an incredible run of success in August and September last year saw former jumps jockey Crowley leapfrog defending champion Silvestre De Sousa at the head of the table.

By the time the season had reached its finale on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot, Crowley, who rode 148 winners, finished 16 victories clear of De Sousa. During that period he had ridden in more than 700 races and clocked up more than 50,000 miles travelling around the country in search of winners, while wife Lucinda and children Alice, Bella and Sam watched his every ride at home on television.

Championship success opened doors for Crowley, and only weeks after he had claimed that crown, he replaced the departing Paul Hanagan as retained jockey to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum - a post that Hanagan himself had taken up after he had become champion for the second time in 2012.

Although it appears unlikely that Crowley will successfully defend his crown this year, his ambitions to ride in more of the world’s biggest races have been increasingly met. And as his winning ride on the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Ulysses in July’s Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown showed, you don’t become champion without being a seriously good jockey.

THE PRIZE MONEY FOR JOCKEYS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AS FOLLOWS:

CHAMPION JOCKEY: £25,000 RUNNER-UP: £10,000 CHAMPION APPRENTICE: £5,000 LEADING JOCKEY (MOST WINS THROUGHOUT THE FULL CALENDAR YEAR): £15,000 ALL-WEATHER CHAMPIONSHIP: £10,000 PJA WELFARE SCHEME FOR ALL MEMBERS: £25,000

JOCKEY OF THE MONTH WINNERS SO FAR IN 2017

Throughout the Championship there is a Jockey Of The Month Award, for which all members of the weighing room are eligible. Each month the winner receives £1,000, as well as £500 for a charity of their choice and the two runners-up £500 each.

MAY 2017: RYAN MOORE JUNE 2017: SILVESTRE DE SOUSA JULY 2017: FRANKIE DETTORI

PAGE 36 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

LEADING LIGHTS OF THE 2017 STOBART FLAT JOCKEYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP

JIM CROWLEY It was over jumps that Jim Crowley first made his name as a jockey, riding 300 winners in that sphere before deciding to concentrate solely upon the Flat. A hot streak of form last August and September saw Crowley leapfrog defending champion Silvestre De Sousa and claim a first championship title. This effort caught the eye of leading owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, who signed Crowley to be his retained jockey late last year. He has since ridden in some of the biggest races in the world, although it was aboard Ulysses for Sir Michael Stoute that he claimed Group 1 glory in July.

SILVESTRE DE SOUSA Born in Brazil, Silvestre de Sousa brings a bit of South American flair to the weighing room. The 2015 winner of the Stobart Flat Jockeys’ Championship, he was beaten by Jim Crowley in a titanic battle last season but set out from the start with a bold bid to regain his his crown his year. He was seen at his power-packed best when guiding 50/1 shot to a narrow success in the 2015 running of the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes at York, and has this year teamed up with Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor to ride in some of the very best races.

RYAN MOORE Moore is viewed by many as the best jockey of his generation and has picked up the winning thread once again this season with a host of Group 1 victories. Already this year, Moore has recorded victories in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and the Irish 2,000 Guineas on Churchill as well as the Irish 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes on Winter for his employers, the powerful Coolmore operation. Born to a famous racing family (his father Gary is a highly-successful trainer, while his siblings, Jamie, Josh and Hayley are also jockeys), Moore has been Champion Jockey three times previously in 2006, 2008 and 2009.

DANNY TUDHOPE A graduate of the Northern Racing College, Scots-born Tudhope had no background in the sport and started as an apprentice with Declan Carroll in Yorkshire. Tudhope’s career has gone from strength to strength since teaming up with another Yorkshire-based trainer in David O’Meara and the pair tasted Group 1 success in 2014 when G Force landed the 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock Park. The partnership have also enjoyed top-level success in North America together and, helped by the support of some the leading Newmarket yards, Tudhope is on course to record his best ever total in this year’s Stobart Flat Jockeys’ Championship.

WILLIAM BUICK Born in Norway and fluent in Norwegian, Danish and German, Buick has an enviable racing pedigree as his father, Walter, was champion jockey in his native Scandinavia eight times. He landed the 2008 Stobart Champion Apprentice Title and was quickly snapped up by top trainer John Gosden to ride his horses in 2010. The pair had plenty of winners at the top level but Buick now rides in the royal blue of Godolphin. Buick has already landed a Group 1 double this year on Ribchester in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot for his principal employer.

LUKE MORRIS There isn’t a busier jockey in racing than Luke Morris. Between 2010 and 2016, Morris has amassed a huge total of 9703 rides and has become one of the top riders in the country. He started his racing life as an apprentice in Michael Bell’s yard before moving to Stan Moore, but his career has really taken off since being appointed number one jockey to Sir Mark Prescott. The pair enjoyed their finest moment last year when flying filly Marsha won the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye at Chantilly in October and Morris has enjoyed further success aboard her already in 2017.

PAGE 37 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

LEADING LIGHTS OF THE 2017 STOBART FLAT JOCKEYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP

PAUL MULRENNAN Mulrennan enjoyed another fantastic season in 2016 which culminated in a second Group 1 victory on Mecca’s Angel as she captured second successive victory in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York. The -born jockey recorded a maiden century of winners in 2014 and is based in Yorkshire, riding for a host of top northern trainers including Michael Dods, Kevin Ryan and Bryan Smart. His talents are also being increasingly recognised by other yards. Despite not having sat on a horse until he was 16, Mulrennan has quickly risen to the top of his profession.

ANDREA ATZENI Born in Sardinia, Atzeni comes from a family with no background in racing at all. After cutting his teeth in pony racing, he moved to mainland to ride out for trainer Alduino Botti. Two years later, he took the plunge to relocate to to join Botti’s son, Marco. After quickly making his mark, Atzeni soon joined trainer Roger Varian as his stable jockey and the pair tasted Group 1 success when Kingston Hill, who won the 2014 William Hill St Leger. This year, he has enjoyed further success at the highest level with Decorated Knight, and Stradivarius, the latter named being part of a 8,343-1 four-timer when winning the Qatar Goodwood Cup.

JAMIE SPENCER Jamie Spencer has been one of Britain’s top jockeys for the best part of 20 years and has ridden Group 1 winners across the world. He burst onto the scene in 1998 when still a teenager, taking the Irish 1,000 Guineas on , and he was champion apprentice that year in Ireland. He became Champion Jockey in 2007, sharing the title with . Spencer briefly retired from the saddle at the end of the 2014 season but the of race riding proved too much and he was back in the plate again the following year.

JAMES DOYLE The son of former trainer Jacqui Doyle and the brother of jockey Sophie Doyle, James Doyle was born to ride racehorses. The 28-year-old rose to prominence in 2012, when he became stable jockey to trainer Roger Charlton and the pair didn’t have to wait long to enjoy big-race success together when won the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Stakes at Meydan. Doyle’s skills in the saddle quickly attracted the attention of some of racing’s biggest owners and he is now one of the retained jockeys for Godolphin, Sheikh Mohammed’s racing operation. Highlights this season include a Royal Ascot double aboard Big Orange and Barney Roy.

OISIN MURPHY is one of the most promising young jockeys riding and it’s easy to see why. In 2013, Murphy went from being a little-known apprentice to a budding superstar courtesy of a stunning four- timer at Ayr, which included a victory in the . Murphy, the nephew of trainer and former jockey Jim Culloty, is the retained rider for Qatar Racing who have put their faith in the Irishman in recent years. The Irishman has been no stranger to big-race success this year, landing the on Montaly and the at Royal Ascot on Benbatl.

P J MCDONALD Despite succcess over jumps including the Scottish , 36-year-old McDonald made the switch to ride on the Flat in 2007 and hasn’t looked back since. Based in Yorkshire, he has ridden for a number of stables in the North, but this season has seen significant new associations with Karl Burke and Mark Johnston that have yielded considerable success and a second career Group-race victory when Havana Grey took Goodwood’s for the former.

PAGE 38 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

2017 STOBART FLAT JOCKEYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP SO FAR

June was the month in which it was highlighted once again that Silvestre de Sousa is both one of the most talented jockeys in the world and one of the hungriest for winners.

Having gone into the month tied with William Buick for winners, and with a host of other top-notch jockeys snapping at his heels, an incredible 40 victories from 164 rides – well over one per day at an impressive 24% strike-rate – saw him burst into a clear advantage in the Stobart Flat Jockeys’ Championship over another former champion in Ryan Moore.

There has been no let-up since, either, for De Sousa, his continuing associations with Mark Johnston, Saeed bin Suroor, Roger Varian and other leading yards yielding frequent victories from the furthest points north to the far south.

De Sousa made it clear at the start of the year that he hoped to secure more rides in the very best races and he has been handed mounts in Classics and other Group 1s this year, albeit while still searching for another big-race triumph. Previous championship winners Jim Crowley and Ryan Moore are among those now trying to chase down the Brazillian as we move firmly into the second half of the season.

STANDINGS AS OF 31ST MAY 2017 POSITION JOCKEY WINNERS RIDES STRIKE RATE 1st William Buick 19 75 25% 2nd Silvestre De Sousa 19 111 17% 3rd Andrea Atzeni 17 68 25% 4th Ryan Moore 17 75 23% 5th Frankie Dettori 16 53 30% 6th Jim Crowley 16 103 16% 7th P J McDonald 15 73 21% 8th Danny Tudhope 14 76 18% 9th Jamie Spencer 14 79 18% 10th Paul Hanagan 14 97 14% STANDINGS AS OF 30TH JUNE 2017 POSITION JOCKEY WINNERS RIDES STRIKE RATE 1st Silvestre De Sousa 59 275 21% 2nd Ryan Moore 40 174 23% 3rd William Buick 36 149 24% 4th Jim Crowley 36 243 15% 5th Danny Tudhope 31 168 18% 6th Paul Mulrennan 31 187 17% 7th P J McDonald 30 192 16% 8th Andrea Atzeni 28 147 19% 9th Luke Morris 28 238 12% 10th Paul Hanagan 25 201 12% STANDINGS AS OF 31ST JULY 2017 POSITION JOCKEY WINNERS RIDES STRIKE RATE 1st Silvestre De Sousa 85 435 20% 2nd Jim Crowley 61 345 18% 3rd Danny Tudhope 53 300 18% 4th William Buick 51 226 23% 5th Ryan Moore 50 235 21% 6th P J McDonald 45 307 15% 7th Luke Morris 45 357 13% 8th Oisin Murphy 44 299 15% 9th Paul Mulrennan 44 301 15% 10th Andrea Atzeni 40 210 19%

WWW.GREATBRITISHRACING.COM/CHAMPIONSHIPS

PAGE 39 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

STOBART CHAMPION APPRENTICE TITLE RACE

If the success of Josephine Gordon in last year’s Stobart Apprentice Jockeys’ Championship demonstrated the value of any one lesson, it was the reward that can be yielded by perseverance and hard work in a world where expectations are increasingly instant.

Gordon famously had to wait 18 months between her first and second winners and, at 23, was one of the older winners of a championship that can fall to a jockey still well within their teenage years.

Signed up on a more formal basis by the top stable of Hugo Palmer at the end of last season, Gordon has gone on to maintain her upward curve in 2017 with a first Group-race success aboard Koropick in the Betfred TV at Newcastle and rides for a host of top yards in big races.

Kieran Shoemark proved an instant hit as an apprentice when first taking out a licence in 2014, riding 21 winners in his first season when based with Andrew Balding. But things failed to spiral as might have been expected and he struggled for chances within a stable blessed with other young riding talent. By his own admission, Shoemark’s social life was at that stage also getting in the way of his profession.

However, a change of focus, helped by his jockey coach John Reid, and a move to Roger Charlton’s yard in 2016 have seen the victories start to flow again. A treble at Epsom from three rides on July 13 resulted in the loss of his apprentice’s weight allowance, and the signs remain positive for the future.

“I’m very grateful for the support that Mr Charlton and other trainers have given me and I think in terms of my future, it’s encouraging that I was getting rides when I was only claiming 3lb – hopefully that means people like the way I ride,” he says. “It’s every apprentice’s dream to ride out their claim, but at the same time I know it’s now that the hard work really starts.”

Teenager David Egan has ridden in several races against his ageless father, John, this season, and earned rave reviews from a number of trainers, including the likes of Mick Channon, Dave Evans and the support of influential Newmarket yards, such as Roger Varian and David Elsworth.

Another Newmarket-based rider drawing plenty of plaudits in recent months is George Wood and the 19-year-old from Essex secured the biggest win of his career so far when God Given landed the Listed Betbright Aphrodite Stakes at Newmarket in July. Wood is attached to the stable of James Fanshawe, but has picked up a number of rides for other major stables, including God Given’s trainer Luca Cumani.

It was Hollie Doyle who cut out the initial pace in the championship, showing on several occasions just what a polished rider she has developed into, but a fractured collarbone, sustained in a heavy fall at Goodwood in June, cost her important momentum and forced her on to the sidelines for over a month. She will be seeking to make up for lost time in the weeks ahead.

Another jockey enjoying a fine campaign is Charlie Bennett, whose loyalty to Hughie Morrison’s stable, where he has now been based for more than four years, has been rewarded with some excellent mounts in big races. Articulate and aware, Bennett has also been attracting the attention of some other stables this year and looks increasingly good value for his allowance.

PAGE 40 PAGE 41 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

JOSEPHINE GORDON KIERAN SHOEMARK DAVID EGAN

GEORGE WOOD CHARLIE BENNETT HOLLIE DOYLE

STANDINGS AS OF MONDAY 7TH AUGUST 2017

POSITION JOCKEY WINNERS RIDES STRIKE RATE

1st David Egan 26 221 12%

2nd Kieran Shoemark 25 198 13%

3rd George Wood 19 159 12%

4th Nathan Evans 18 190 9%

5th Clifford Lee 17 115 15%

PAGE 41 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

WINNING RECORDS OF JOCKEYS ON QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY

NO. OF WINS DATE RACE WINNER SP JOCKEY OWNER Andrea Atzeni (2) 17/10/15 QIPCO British Champions Simple Verse 5/1 Ralph Beckett QRL/Sheikh Suhaim Al Thani/ Fillies & Mares Stakes M Al Kubaisi 15/10/16 Balmoral Handicap Yuften 12/1 Roger Charlton Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar (Sponsored by QIPCO) George Baker (1) 19/10/13 QIPCO British Champions Seal Of Approval 16/1 James Fanshawe T R G Vestey Fillies & Mares Stakes Jim Crowley (1) 18/10/14 QIPCO British Champions Madame Chiang 12/1 David Simcock Miss K Rausing Fillies & Mares Stakes Matthew Davies (1) 15/10/11 Future Stars Handicap Edinburgh Knight 18/1 Paul D’Arcy Knights Racing Silvestre De Sousa (1) 19/10/13 QIPCO Champion Stakes Farhh 11/4 Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Frankie Dettori (2) 17/10/15 QIPCO British Champions Flying Officer 6/1 John Gosden Mr George Strawbridge Long Distance Cup 15/10/16 QIPCO British Champions Journey 4/1 John Gosden Mr George Strawbridge Fillies & Mares Stakes George Downing (1) 20/10/12 Future Stars Handicap Jack Dexter 11/2 Jim Goldie Jim Goldie Racing Club James Doyle (1) 18/10/14 QIPCO Champions Stakes Noble Mission 7/1 Lady Cecil Khalid Abdullah Edward Greatrex (1) 17/10/15 Balmoral Handicap Musaddas 7/1 Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin (Sponsored by QIPCO) Maxime Guyon (1) 17/10/15 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Solow 10/11F Freddy Head Wertheimer et Frere (Sponsored by QIPCO) Paul Hanagan (1) 17/10/15 QIPCO British Champions Muhaarar 5/2F Charlie Hills Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum Sprint Stakes Martin Harley (1) 15/10/16 QIPCO British Champions Sheikhzayedroad 11/1 David Simcock Mohammed Jaber Long Distance Cup Richard Hughes (1) 19/10/13 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Olympic Glory 11/2 Richard Hannon Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani (Sponsored by QIPCO) Wayne Lordan (2) 19/10/13 QIPCO British Champions Slade Power 7/1 Edward Lynam Mrs S Power Sprint Stakes 18/10/14 QIPCO British Champions Gordon Lord Byron 5/1JF Tom Hogan Dr Cyrus Poonawalla & Sprint Stakes Morgan L Cahalan Ryan Moore (1) 15/10/16 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Minding 7/4F Aidan O’Brien D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor (Sponsored by QIPCO) Johnny Murtagh (3) 15/10/11 QIPCO British Champions Deacon Blues 5/1F James Fanshawe Jan and Peter Hopper & Sprint Stakes Michelle Morris 15/10/11 QIPCO British Champions Dancing Rain 6/1 William Haggas M J & L A Taylor Fillies & Mares Stakes 19/10/13 QIPCO British Champions Royal Diamond 20/1 Johnny Murtagh Andrew Tinkler Long Distance Cup Joseph O’Brien (1) 20/10/13 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Excelebration 10/11F Aidan O’Brien D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor (Sponsored by QIPCO) Olivier Peslier (1) 18/10/14 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Charm Spirit 5/1 Freddy Head H H Sheikh Abdulla Bin Khalifa (Sponsored by QIPCO) Al Thani Tom Queally (3) 15/10/11 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Frankel 4/11F Sir Henry Cecil Khalid Abdullah (Sponsored by QIPCO) 20/10/11 QIPCO Champion Stakes Frankel 2/11F Sir Henry Cecil Khalid Abdullah 15/10/16 QIPCO British Champions The Tin Man 13/2 James Fanshawe Fred Archer Racing - Ormonde Sprint Stakes Pat Smullen (4) 20/10/12 QIPCO British Champions Rite Of Passage 8/1 Dermot Weld Dr R Lambe Long Distance Cup 20/10/12 QIPCO British Champions Sapphire 5/2JF Dermot Weld Moyglare Stud Farm Fillies & Mares Stakes 18/10/14 QIPCO British Champions Forgotten Rules 3/1 Dermot Weld Moyglare Stud Farm Long Distance Cup 17/10/15 QIPCO Champion Stakes Fascinating Rock 10/1 Dermot Weld Newtown Anner Stud Farm Christophe Soumillon (2) 15/10/11 QIPCO Champion Stakes Cirrus Des Aigles 12/1 Mme C Barande-Barbe Jean-Claude-Alain Dupouy 15/10/16 QIPCO Champion Stakes Almanzor 11/8F Jean-Claude Rouget Ecurie Antonio Caro Jamie Spencer (2) 15/10/11 QIPCO British Champions Fame And Glory 3/1 Aidan O’Brien Mrs F Hay, D Smith, Long Distance Cup Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor 20/10/12 QIPCO British Champions Maarek 5/1 David Nagle Lisbunny Syndicate Sprint Stakes Louis Steward (1) 18/10/14 Balmoral Handicap Bronze Angel 20/1 Marcus Tregoning Lady Tennant (Sponsored by QIPCO) Lewis Walsh (1) 19/10/13 Future Stars Handicap Breton Rock 12/1 David Simcock John Cook

PAGE 42 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

RYAN MOORE 2017 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES WINNERS (8): CHURCHILL (QIPCO 2000 Guineas), DARTMOUTH (Betway Yorkshire Cup), WINTER (Coronation Stakes & Qatar Nassau Stakes), HIGHLAND REEL (Investec Coronation Cup & Prince of Wales’s Stakes), CARAVAGGIO (Commonwealth Cup) & ROLY POLY ( Falmouth Stakes).

Ryan Moore rarely goes more than a day or two without a winner, so it can only have been a statistical anomaly that the world- class rider had to wait until Minding, his 26th QIPCO British Champions Day ride, finally snapped a surprising losing sequence when taking the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored by QIPCO) at last year’s meeting.

Moore must have started the day expecting his first victory at the meeting, first staged in 2011, to have come earlier. His first three rides on the card, Order Of St George, and Seventh Heaven, were all strongly fancied, but failed to deliver and finished out of the frame.

Expectation mounted, therefore, upon the amazing Aidan O’Brien-trained filly Minding as the time grew nearer for her to tackle high-class opposition from across both sexes and different age groups. Not for the first time though, all doubts were erased as she produced another top-drawer performance to repel the late thrust of Ribchester and landed the spoils by half a length. It was her seventh Group 1 success, including three earlier victories in previous 2016 QIPCO British Champions Series contests.

I am really delighted, said Moore afterwards. This is some performance – she’s had a hard year and Aidan has freshened her up and brought her back to a mile. It is some achievement to see off the colts and she has done it the hard way. She was just too good and too strong for them. She has lots of pace and has masses of talent. “ Born in September 1983, 34-year-old Moore has been among the world’s elite jockeys for over a decade. Brothers Jamie and Josh both ride over jumps, and it was over hurdles that Ryan Moore enjoyed his first success, scoring aboard Mersey Beat, trained by his father Gary, at Towcester as a 17-year-old. “ However, he quickly made his mark on the Flat, being crowned champion apprentice in 2003 before his first major role arrived when appointed stable jockey to Sir Michael Stoute in 2007. He was formally signed up to ride for at the start of 2015. Moore has been champion jockey in Britain three times – in 2006 (with 182 wins), 2008 (192) & 2009 (178).

In recent years, Moore’s commitments to ride outside of the UK and his popularity in the Far East have seen him scale down the number of mounts he takes in Britain. However, he remains a go-to jockey of choice for many of the top trainers when he is not riding for O’Brien or Stoute, and he has claimed important successes already this season for the likes of Richard Hannon, Mark Johnston, Chris Wall, Henry Candy and Roger Charlton.

He partnered the Stoute-trained Dartmouth to victory in the colours of The Queen in the Betway Yorkshire Cup, the opening leg in the Long Distance division of the QIPCO British Champions Series.

However, all of Moore’s British Group 1 wins so far this year have all come in Coolmore silks aboard O’Brien-trained horses. Highland Reel overcame a delayed flight to get straight off the plane and win Epsom’s Investec Coronation Cup, then followed up at Royal Ascot, while other QIPCO British Champions Series successes have come aboard Churchill, Caravaggio, Roly Poly and Winter.

With horses of that quality to partner, although it might have taken Moore six years to secure a first QIPCO British Champions Day success, it’s close to a racing certainty that he won’t have to wait for as long again.

1ST 2ND RYAN MOORE’S 3RD 4TH FORM FIGURES 6TH QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPION SERIES 2017

PAGE 43 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

WINNING RECORDS OF TRAINERS ON QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY NO. OF WINS DATE RACE WINNER SP JOCKEY OWNER Mme C Barande-Barbe (1) 15/10/11 QICPO Champion Stakes Cirrus Des Aigles 12/1 Christophe Soumillon Jean-Claude-Alain Dupouy Ralph Beckett (1) 17/10/15 QIPCO British Champions Simple Verse 5/1 Andrea Atzeni QRL/Sheikh Suhaim Al Thani/ Fillies & Mares Stakes M Al Kubaisi Sir Henry Cecil (2) 15/10/11 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Frankel 4/11F Tom Queally Khalid Abdullah (Sponsored by QIPCO) 20/10/12 QIPCO Champion Stakes Frankel 2/11F Tom Queally Khalid Abdullah Lady Cecil (1) 18/10/14 QIPCO Champion Stakes Noble Mission 7/1 James Doyle Khalid Abdullah Roger Charlton (1) 15/10/16 Balmoral Handicap Yuften 12/1 Andrea Atzeni Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar (Sponsored by QIPCO) Paul D’Arcy (1) 15/10/11 Future Stars Handicap Edinburgh Knight 18/1 Matthew Davies Knights Racing James Fanshawe (3) 15/10/11 QIPCO British Champions Deacon Blues 5/2F Johnny Murtagh Jan and Peter Hopper & Sprint Stakes Michelle Morris 19/10/13 QIPCO British Champions Seal Of Approval 16/1 George Baker T R G Vestey Fillies & Mares Stakes 15/10/16 QIPCO British Champion The Tin Man 13/2 Tom Queally Fred Archer Racing - Ormonde Sprint Stakes Jim Goldie (1) 20/10/12 Future Stars Handicap Jack Dexter 11/2 George Downing Jim Goldie Racing Club John Gosden (2) 17/10/15 QIPCO British Champions Flying Officer 6/1 Frankie Dettori Mr George Strawbridge Long Distance Cup 15/10/16 QIPCO British Champions Journey 4/1 Frankie Dettori Mr George Strawbridge Fillies & Mares Stakes William Haggas (1) 15/10/11 QIPCO British Champions Dancing Rain 6/1 Johnny Murtagh M J & L A Taylor Fillies & Mares Stakes Richard Hannon (1) 19/10/13 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Olympic Glory 11/2 Richard Hughes Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani (Sponsored by QIPCO) Freddy Head (2) 18/10/14 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Charm Spirit 5/1 Olivier Peslier H H Sheikh Abdulla Bin Khalifa (Sponsored by QIPCO) Al Thani 17/10/15 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Solow 10/11F Maxime Guyon Wertheimer et Frere (Sponsored by QIPCO) Charlie Hills (1) 17/10/15 QIPCO British Champions Muhaarar 5/2F Paul Hanagan Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum Sprint Stakes Tom Hogan (1) 18/10/14 QIPCO British Champions Gordon Lord Byron 5/1JF Wayne Lordan Dr Cyrus Poonawalla & Sprint Stakes Morgan L Cahalan Edward Lynam (1) 19/10/13 QIPCO British Champions Slade Power 7/1 Wayne Lordan Mrs S Power Sprint Stakes Johnny Murtagh (1) 19/10/13 QIPCO British Champions Royal Diamond 20/1 Johnny Murtagh Andrew Tinkler Long Distance Cup Aidan O’Brien (3) 15/10/11 QIPCO British Champions Fame And Glory 3/1 Jamie Spencer Mrs F Hay, D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, Long Distance Cup M Tabor 20/10/12 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Excelebration 10/11F Joseph O’Brien D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor (Sponsored by QIPCO) 15/10/16 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Minding 7/4F Ryan Moore D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor (Sponsored by QIPCO) David Nagle (1) 20/10/12 QIPCO British Champions Maarek 5/1 Jamie Spencer Lisbon Syndicate Sprint Stakes Jean-Claude Rouget (1) 15/10/2016 QIPCO Champion Stakes Almanzor 11/8F Christophe Soumillon Ecurie Antonio Caro David Simcock (3) 19/10/13 Future Stars Handicap Breton Rock 12/1 Lewis Walsh John Cook 18/10/14 QIPCO British Champions Madame Chiang 12/1 Jim Crowley Miss K Rausing Fillies & Mares Stakes 15/10/16 QIPCO British Champions Sheikzayedroad 11/1 Martin Harley Mohammed Jaber Long Distance Cup Saeed bin Suroor (2) 19/10/13 QIPCO Champion Stakes Farhh 11/4 Silvestre De Sousa Godolphin 17/10/15 Balmoral Handicap Musaddas 7/1 Edward Greatrex Godolphin (Sponsored by QIPCO) Marcus Tregoning (1) 18/10/14 Balmoral Handicap Bronze Angel 20/1 Louis Steward Lady Tennant (Sponsored by QIPCO) Dermot Weld (4) 20/10/12 QIPCO British Champions Rite Of Passage 8/1 Pat Smullen Dr R Lambe Long Distance Cup 20/10/12 QIPCO British Champions Sapphire 5/2JF Pat Smullen Moyglare Stud Farm Fillies & Mares Stakes 18/10/14 QIPCO British Champions Forgotten Rules 3/1 Pat Smullen Moyglare Stud Farm Long Distance Cup 17/10/15 QIPCO Champion Stakes Fascinating Rock 10/1 Pat Smullen Newton Anner Stud Farm

PAGE 44 PAGE 45 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

AIDAN O’BRIEN 2017 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES WINNERS (9): CHURCHILL (QIPCO 2000 Guineas), DARTMOUTH (Betway Yorkshire Cup), WINTER (QIPCO 1000 Guineas, Coronation Stakes & Qatar Nassau Stakes), HIGHLAND REEL (Investec Coronation Cup and Prince of Wales’s Stakes), CARAVAGGIO (Commonwealth Cup) & ROLY POLY (Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes)

Having dominated the elite races that make up the QIPCO British Champions Series in 2016, it would scarcely have been fair if Aidan O’Brien had gone home from QIPCO British Champions Day without a winner.

Minding’s success in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, sponsored by QIPCO, ultimately did not prove enough to help O’Brien reach the mark set by Bobby Frankel for the most international top-level successes in a year. But it was his 21st of the year, a figure which illustrates the power that he so often has at his disposal for the very best racing in Ireland, Britain, Europe and the rest of the world.

O’Brien had set the tone in last year’s QIPCO British Champion Series right from the start when Minding had led home a 1-2-3 for the stable in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas and the strength of the bloodlines at his disposal were highlighted by the fact that all 10 of his Series winners were sons or daughters of champion stallion Galileo.

However, despite his considerable success at home and in Britain in recent years, O’Brien has not always found success on QIPCO British Champions Day so easy to come by. Minding was just his third winner at the meeting after Excelebration’s facile display in the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored by QIPCO) and success for Fame And Glory in the 2011 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup.

One of his most obvious contenders for this year’s meeting, Order Of St George, illustrated how hard it can be to keep an outstanding racehorse at the top of their game at the end of a long campaign. Having looked to come into the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup at the top of his game on the back of a fine third place in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly, the effects of that contest caught up with him as he could finish only a flat fourth behind Sheikhzayedroad. Will Order Of St George be campaigned differently this year as he bids to set the record straight?

Born on October 16, 1969, O’Brien was a champion amateur jockey over jumps in Ireland, and began his training career with jumpers before taking over from the unrelated Vincent O’Brien at the famous Ballydoyle stables in . In the 21 years since, he has emerged as the pre-eminent training force in racing in Britain and Ireland.

Not only has O’Brien trained a number of great racehorses, but he has also worked hand in hand with the Coolmore breeding operation to produce and promote a number of top-class whose influence will be felt within racing for generations to come.

The likes of Giant’s Causeway, , , , , Rock of Gibraltar, Fame And Glory, St Nicholas’s Abbey, , and Galileo himself trip off the tongue of every racing fan. All were champions and multiple Group 1 winners.

This year, O’Brien has continued in his usual vein, with a series of big-race successes in Ireland and in Britain, including victories in three of the four British Classics and his total of nine successes already this year in the QIPCO British Champions Series putting him well on the way to a best-ever tally. Incredibly, he has also saddled the runner-up in five of those contests and a further 10 of his runners have finished third or fourth.

1ST 6TH 10TH 2ND 7TH 12TH AIDAN O’BRIEN’S 3RD 8TH 15TH 4TH 9TH 17TH FORM FIGURES 5TH QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPION SERIES 2017

PAGE 45 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES WINNERS SHOWING UP WELL IN THE BREEDING STAKES

It’s impossible to talk about the six years that the QIPCO British Champions Series has been in existence without focusing upon the contribution of Frankel, arguably the greatest racehorse of the modern era, and the horse who set QIPCO British Champions Day on the perfect path when raising the roof at Ascot in both of the opening two years.

Frankel’s legacy to racing now not only comes in the form of those unforgettable memories, but also in his offspring. This year, his first crop of horses have reached the age of three. There’s every chance at least a couple will be in action on this year’s QIPCO British Champions Day card, with the likes of Cracksman, Eminent, Atty Persse, Dream Castle and others having shown high-class form this season.

But it is not just Frankel who is now making their contribution to the sport from the breeding sheds.

Some of the pioneering winners of QIPCO British Champions Series contests in 2011 and 2012, the first two years of its existence, have also started to prove that the abilities they showed on the racecourse have successfully been transferred down the bloodlines to the next generation.

In being beaten half a length by Frankel on his debut, got as close to that monster as any other rival would ever manage again. They met once again when both signed off their careers in the 2012 QIPCO Champion Stakes, Nathaniel finishing an admirable third.

Nathaniel has already reached one achievement as a stallion more quickly than Frankel though, producing dual European Classic and the QIPCO-backed King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Enable in his very first crop.

Another horse to prove unable to match Frankel on the racecourse, but already very clearly a high-class stallion prospect is Excelebration. A six-times Group-race winner, his victories included the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored by QIPCO), where he showed his adaptability to different going conditions when winning easily by three lengths in soft ground. His first crop has included St James’s Palace Stakes winner Barney Roy, one of the outstanding three-year-old colts of the season so far.

Investec Derby winner Wings Of Eagles sustained a career-ending injury in the Irish version of that race and will never be allowed the opportunity to confirm the depth of his talent, but at Epsom he flew the flag proudly for sire Pour Moi, himself the winner of the same race in 2011.

It isn’t just the boys who have gone to prove themselves at stud, either. Six-times Group 1 winner Midday, whose final success came in the 2011 Nassau Stakes at Goodwood has already bred smart filly Midterm, and her three-year-old Mori – by Frankel, of course – could prove even more talented, having finished second in the Group 2 at Royal Ascot on her most recent appearance.

As for the fillies who triumphed in the QIPCO British Champions Fillies’ And Mares’ Stakes on Champions Day itself, there is much for the followers of pedigrees to look forward to.

The 2011 winner Dancing Rain was bought by Godolphin and has an unraced three-year-old Frankel colt in training with Andre Fabre in France, while 2012 winner Sapphire’s first foal Jewel Maker, is a two-year-old colt in training - like his mother - with Dermot Weld. He holds an entry in the Group 1 National Stakes at The Curragh in September, suggesting connections are hopeful he too can prove that QIPCO British Champions Series class will make its way in breeding from one generation to the next.

PAGE 46 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES AMBASSADORS

OISIN MURPHY Oisin is without doubt one of the rising stars of the horseracing world. He burst onto the scene in 2013 with a sensational 9,260/1 four-timer on Ayr Gold Cup day, while in 2014 he became the youngest jockey to win a QIPCO British Champions Series race, when at 19 he partnered Hot Streak to victory in the at Haydock.

Coming from a family steeped in racing tradition (his uncle is Grand National winning jockey, turned trainer, Jim Culloty), Oisin has been described by those in racing as a “rare young talent” and, unsurprisingly, it wasn’t long before he was snapped up to become the retained rider for the powerful Qatar Racing operation.

He has recently ridden his first Royal Ascot winner aboard Benbatl in the Hampton Court Stakes and will hoping to carry that winning streak forward to Ascot on QIPCO British Champions Day.

KATARINA JOHNSON-THOMPSON AGE - 24 YEARS OLD | EVENT – HEPTATHLON & HIGH JUMP One of the greatest all-round athletes in the world, Katarina Johnson-Thompson specialises in the Heptathlon but such is her talent that she is amongst the world’s best in both the High Jump and Long Jump and has been labelled as ‘the future of athletics’.

Since winning the World Junior Championships as a teenager in 2012, KJT has become the European Indoor Pentathlon Champion, the World Indoor Long Jump silver medallist and was ranked the world’s number one Heptathlete. She is only the second women in history to score 5000+ points in a Pentathlon and is the current British Record holder in both the Pentathlon and High Jump, having previously held the national record in the Long Jump as well.

During a visit to the Home of Horseracing, Newmarket, earlier this year KJT commented: “It’s easy to see there are so many similarities between how a racehorse is trained and how elite athletes train. We both have a team of people that work on all the aspects of performance so that you can hopefully achieve your potential and what we do in the lead up to competitions, how we get prepared in the winter months for the season ahead or a few days ahead of an upcoming race is so comparable to what racehorses do. It made me have huge appreciation for these amazing athletes and the team around them”.

ADAM GEMILI AGE - 23 YEARS OLD | EVENT - 100M, 200M, 4X100M A sprint sensation born in London, Adam Gemili is the only man in British history to run sub 10 seconds in the 100m and sub 20 seconds in the 200m. Gemili, who played professional football for Dagenham & Redbridge and spent seven years at Chelsea’s academy, decided to concentrate on athletics after becoming the 100m World Junior Champion in 2012 where his winning time of 10.05s established a new championship record and enabled him to compete for Team GB at the London Olympics later that year, aged just 18.

Since then, Adam has become the European Champion over 200m and 4x100m relay, a silver medallist in the 100m and 4x100m relay at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and captained Team GB athletics team at last year’s Rio 2016 Olympics where he agonisingly missed out on a bronze medal, coming fourth in the 200m by 0.003s although finished the year ranked third fastest man in the world over 200m.

Adam who visited Longholes Rehabilitation Centre said “It is of mind-blowing to think that there is so much equipment that is used in athletics which is also used with horses. The fact that there are things such as a horse hydrospa to cool down soft tissue and a water treadmill to build up their endurance and to give them a really good work out is amazing and really impressive – it shows just how similar their facilities are and the fact that they’re elite athletes too”.

PAGE 47 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

BACKGROUND TO QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES AND QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY

Now in its seventh year, the QIPCO British Champions Series incorporates Great Britain’s top 35 Flat races under one banner to highlight the very best quality of competition the sport has to offer. The ambition of the QIPCO British Champions Series is to increase the appeal of horseracing in this country and in QIPCO British Champions Day, create an iconic and fitting finale to the British Flat racing season, something the racing calendar previously lacked.

Some of the world’s leading racehorses, the most talented jockeys and trainers, internationally-renowned racecourses and the highest-rated races on earth – including two of the top 10 races run anywhere in the world in 2016 - come together to create a unique offering for existing and new fans of racing.

The QIPCO British Champions Series reaches its climax on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday 21st October. Staged for the first time in 2011, Champions Day is the single richest day in the British Flat calendar boasting £4.3 million in prize money. The prize money is spread across the final races in the five Series categories (Sprint, Mile, Middle Distance, Fillies & Mares and Long Distances divisions) as well as the prestigious £250,000 Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored by QIPCO).

The race programme consists of four Group 1 races – the £1.3 million QIPCO Champion Stakes run over a mile and a quarter, the £1.1 million Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored by QIPCO) and run over the straight mile course, the £600,000 QIPCO British Champions Fillies’ & Mares’ Stakes, contested over the Derby and Oaks distance of a mile and a half and the £600,000 QIPCO British Champion Sprint Stakes. These races comprise some of the most valuable races of their kind in Europe.

The Group 2 £450,000 QIPCO Long Distance Cup concludes the Pattern race line-up. Despite its official classification, the Long Distance Cup is effectively a Group 1 race in respect of its conditions, such as no weight penalties for previous Group 1 winners, and attracts a high-class field every year.

STRUCTURE OF QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SERIES

The QIPCO British Champions Series With a collective prize fund of over The Series encompasses British Flat comprises five categories: £18million, the Series is staged across racing’s key festivals including: ten of the UK’s leading racecourses: • Sprint • Ascot • The QIPCO Guineas Festival • Mile • Doncaster • The Investec Derby Festival • Middle Distance • Epsom Downs • Royal Ascot • Long Distance • Goodwood • The Moët & Chandon July Festival • Fillies & Mares • Haydock Park • King George VI & Queen Elizabeth • Newbury Stakes Day • Newmarket’s Rowley Mile • Qatar Goodwood Festival Each division features the seven • Newmarket’s July Course • The Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor highest-rated races in each category in Great Britain which culminate in • Sandown Park Festival a same-day finale on QIPCO British • York • The St Leger Festival Champions Day on Saturday 21st October 2017.

PAGE 48 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

TITLE PARTNER - QIPCO

The Series is sponsored by QIPCO Holding, one of the leading private investment companies in Qatar. Established in 1999, QIPCO has since developed and diversified its range of interests which currently include real estate, construction, oil and gas, finance and health services as well as thoroughbred horseracing.

The global racing and bloodstock operations, Qatar Racing and Qatar Bloodstock, are both subsidiaries of QIPCO. Qatar Bloodstock was established in 2010, following the purchase of the world champion miler - who has since been sold to stand at stud in - and the operation currently stands stallions in Britain, France, and .

Qatar Investment & Projects Development Holding Company (QIPCO Holding) is a private, family run company owned by six brothers who are members of the Qatari Royal family. The Chief Executive is Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani who together with his brothers, are cousins of the Emir of the state of Qatar.

Since the company’s inception, the group has diversified to form individual subsidiaries, each operating independently and specialising in various fields of expertise. For more information please visit www.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 ongoing support for the Series and British racing for a further ten years until 2024.

As the Title Partner, QIPCO enjoys naming rights for the Series and full partnerships rights for the £4.3 million QIPCO British Champions Day climax at Ascot, which is set to have increased to £5 million when the new contract expires in 2024.

QIPCO is also the official partner of the Guineas Festival at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile Racecourse which launches the British Champions Series with the QIPCO 2000 and 1000 Guineas and is title partner to the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes hosted at Ascot in July. Under the deal signed in 2015, QIPCO is an official commercial partner with Ascot Racecourse, including Royal Ascot.

PAGE 49 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

TICKET INFORMATION

For tickets to QIPCO British Champions Day on Saturday 21st October head to www.britishchampionsday.co.uk

TICKET PRICES: King Edward VII Enclosure: £85 Winning Post Enclosure: £45 Queen Anne Enclosure: £35 Children under 18 and accompanied by an adult: FREE

Ticket holders are able to bring children under 18 years of age FREE of charge, however please note that all under 18s must be accompanied by a ticket-holding adult (ID may be required at the turnstiles).

FREE STUDENT ADMISSION: students can access their free tickets by registering via the Ascot Racecourse website using the promotional code STUDENTSBCD. Admission will only be granted with a valid photo student ID.

TRAVELLING TO ASCOT RACECOURSE

Ascot Racecourse is ideally situated in the beautiful, wooded countryside adjoining Windsor great Park and is approximately a 50 minute drive or train journey from London.

Located close to the M3, M4, M40 and M25 as well as to London’s Heathrow Airport for international visitors, Ascot Racecourse offers easy access for all racegoers.

BY ROAD:

FROM LONDON AND THE NORTH M4 Junction 6 onto the A332 Windsor by-pass then follow signs for Ascot

FROM THE WEST M4 Junction 10 to the A329(M) signed as Bracknell then follow signs to Ascot

FROM THE SOUTH AND EAST M3 Junction 3 onto the A332 signed to Bracknell then follow signs to Ascot

FROM THE MIDLANDS M40 southbound, Junction 4. Take the A404 towards the M4 (Junction 8/9). On the M4 head towards Heathrow/ London. Leave M4 at Junction 6 and follow A332 Windsor by-pass to Ascot.

For up-to-date travel information tune into BBC Radio on 94.5FM or 104.1FM or log onto www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire before you leave to receive a local traffic update.

BY RAIL: There are regular services to Ascot from both Reading and London Waterloo using South West Trains. The average journey time in 27 minutes from Reading and 52 minutes from Waterloo. Ascot railway station is a 7-minute walk from the racecourse.

PAGE 50 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY MEDIA GUIDE

CONTACT LIST

NAOMI LAWSON For Media Accreditation for QIPCO British Champions Day, Head of PR, British Champions Series / Great British Racing: Ascot Racecourse, Saturday 21st October 2017: Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 7881 266 359 ASHLEY MORTON-HUNTE Press Officer, Ascot Racecourse: STEVEN POWELL Email: [email protected] Consultant, British Champion Series Tel: +44 1344 878 508 Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 7742 195 968 PLEASE NOTE: Metal RCA Press badges are valid for entrance to Ascot on NICK SMITH QIPCO British Champions Day on Saturday 21st October 2017. Head of Communications, Ascot Racecourse: They will provide access to the press room and lawn-level Email: [email protected] media centre. Only members of the national and international Tel: +44 7771 791 449 racing/ sports media are permitted to enter the Parade Ring.

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

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