With connections expressing their relief that Baaeed missed a rain-soaked Longchamp in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the stage is set for the four-year-old Shadwell-owned colt to end his career in style in the feature £1.3 million event as the British Flat racing season draws to a grand finale on Saturday with Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot.
The highlight of the day is the Qipco Champion Stakes run over 10-furlongs. Ten entries were declared for the Group 1, but all eyes will be drawn to the William Haggas trained champion Baaeed.
Can Baaeed go out in a blaze of glory?
The four-year-old Shadwell-owned colt bids to extend his unbeaten run to 11 and provide Haggas with a sizeable chunk of prize-money towards the trainers’ title. Baaeed has already won twice at Ascot, namely the QEII 12 months ago and this year’s Queen Anne Stakes and will be long odds-on for his final start before being retired to stud.
Four Group 1 contests are on offer and the prize-money available will decide the Flat trainers’ title fight between Charlie Appleby and William Haggas.
Their rivalry could be settled in the Qipco Champion Stakes, in which Baaeed will bid to end his stellar career on a high in Britain’s richest Flat race.
Adayar – carrying the Appleby flag
Appleby will not go down without a fight, however, and aims to send last year’s Derby and King George hero Adayar out for his first top-level start since finishing fifth in the race last year.
Inspiral, Emily Upjohn, Trueshan and Creative Force are just some of the star names likely to make an appearance on Saturday at the unmissable six-race meeting.
Shamrock reports that Race 1 on the card is the Gr2 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup run over 2 miles at 14h25.
The race revolves around the participation of star stayer Trueshan from the Alan King stable. 14 entries were declared, and with the absence of Kyprios and retirement of Stradivarius, he looks the standout on official ratings. However, trainer King stated that more rain is needed to ensure Trueshan’s participation.
Doncaster Cup conqueror Coltrane and Quickthorn reoppose, whilst the potential presence of St Leger and Ebor heroes Eldar Eldarov and Trawlerman could add plenty to an intriguing opener. The first of the Group 1 events is carded to start at 15h00 with the running of the Qipco British Champion Sprint Stakes over 6 furlongs.
19 entries were declared including last year’s winner, Creative Force for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin. Opposition include dual Wokingham winner Rohaan, who struck over course and distance last time out and fellow Godolphin-owned stablemate Naval Crown, the Platinum Jubilee hero in June. Commonwealth Cup scorer Perfect Power from the Richard Fahey yard attempts to follow up on his Royal Ascot success.
15h40 sees the running of the Qipco British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes over a mile and a half. John Gosden’s Emily Upjohn looks to have a serious chance in this Group 1 contest with Frankie Dettori in the irons. The three-year-old flopped in the King George at this track when last seen, but the Musidora winner and Oaks runner-up has a strong chance of a breakthrough Group 1 success if bouncing back to her best form.
Eternal Pearl, who is chasing a five-timer, could step up in grade for her first Group 1 for Charlie Appleby and Will Buick.
The Gosden’s could saddle another filly to Ascot glory on Saturday with the Cheveley Park-owned Inspiral.
The 3-year-old is favourite to land the Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over the straight mile (16h20).
10 entries have been declared including Godolphin’s Modern Games and French raider The Revenant, victorious in this contest in 2020.
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