Royal Champion makes his UK return for Karl Burke in the Listed BetUK Quebec Stakes at Lingfield Park on New Year’s Eve.
The 113-rated six-year-old made three appearances in Australia for Anthony & Sam Freedman during the autumn, including finishing second in the Gr2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley.
Lingfield Park plays host to the Listed BetUK Quebec Stakes today (Pic – Lingfield Park on FB)
Royal Champion was a dual Listed winner for Roger Varian prior to his move Down Under, most notably taking the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2023, and was runner-up to Nations Pride in last year’s Gr1 Canadian International.
Burke said: “Royal Champion has been with us for five or six weeks and is a lovely horse to have in the yard.
“He seems to have settled in really well. Looking at his record, he has run well fresh, so I would be hoping for a bold showing.
“I need to have a discussion with Sheikh Mohammed Obaid about future plans, but after this we may look at the Winter Derby. Even though it’s over a furlong further, it could be a nice target if he takes to the all-weather.”
The opposition is led by Royal Champion’s former stable-mate Tyrrhenian Sea (Roger Varian), who is seeking to become the first back-to-back winner of the BetUK Quebec Stakes.
Following last year’s success, Tyrrhenian Sea finished third in the Gr3 BetUK Winter Derby and filled the same position on his comeback this winter in Newcastle’s Listed BetUK Churchill Stakes.
Pride Of America makes his first appearance for Amy Murphy since undergoing wind surgery. The 2023 John Smith’s Cup victor returned from more than a year off the track at Newcastle in early December.
Auld Toon Loon tackles Stakes company for the first time following two good runs for Tom Dascombe. The five-year-old was an eight-and-a-half-length winner at Bath in October before posting a staying-on fourth in the November Handicap.
Dascombe said: “Auld Toon Loon has thrived mentally since he has joined us, although the manner of his win at Bath was a surprise.
“He backed that up with a good run in the November Handicap – and I think if we could ride the race again, he would have gone even closer.
“His owners Empire State Racing also have his dam Snowtime and half-brother Snow Master, so any sort of black type would be beneficial.
“Lingfield offers a different test to his two starts for us, but I am pretty confident that he is capable of getting black type, whether it is this week or in the future.”
The line-up also includes Ed Walker’s Fantasy Believer, who was third in the Listed Wild Flower Stakes last time out, and Wolverhampton scorer Lia Rose (Rae Guest).
Lingfield Park’s nine-race programme also includes class two action for the sprinters, with Kylian (Archie Watson) among a field of nine for the Extra Winnings With BetUK Acca Club Handicap over five furlongs.
Rosario (Roger Teal), who was twice placed at Group level as a juvenile, makes his first appearance since finishing fifth in Ascot’s Gr3 Commonwealth Cup Trial.
Sommelier (Marco Botti) and Bedford Flyer (Mick Appleby) also feature in a competitive line-up.
