The Champions Stakes at Ascot has seen some prestigious hooves imprinted into its illustrious roll of honour since its the inauguration of British Champions Day in 2011, won by Cirrus Des Aigles. Frankel defeated the latter a year later, signing off his unrivalled career.
A small but select field of six take to post this Saturday in what looks to be a Champion Stakes for the ages, featuring five of the fourteen highest rated horses in the world.
Ombudsman
Ombudsman, second only to Ka Ying Rising in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, has lost just four times in his 13 races that’s seen him amass four Group 1’s. Last season saw him win both the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes and the Juddmonte International, sandwiched by a neck defeat in a thrilling Coral-Eclipse.
He was defeated by Calandagan in the Champion Stakes, but returned to form when landing the Dubai Turf. His seasonal debut success set him up for another win at Royal Ascot, but he produced his worst performance on ratings since his debut season when below par in the Juddmonte International.
Calandagan
Calandagan has been one of Europe’s most talented horses in the modern era. A dominant display in the 2024 King Edward VII Stakes brought him to fruition on the big stage, and he backed that up with a staying on second to the excellent City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International.
He had become somewhat of a bridesmaid with three subsequent seconds in the Champion Stakes, Sheema Classic and Coronation Cup, but he found another gear last season to take three Group 1’s including the Champion Stakes.
He also went one better in the Sheema Classic, but he’s been marginally below last year’s form this season having failed to confirm the King George form with Kalpana last time out.
Almaqam
Almaqam belatedly landed his first Group 1 when taking the Tattersalls Gold Cup earlier this season, before failing to cope with a firmer surface behind Ombudsman at Royal Ascot.
Following a deluge of rain on the Knavesmire, another Group 1 looked within reach and a furlong out it looked assured. However, he was agonisingly collared by Item late on and he couldn’t quite back that up at Leopardstown.
Ten furlongs on ground with soft in the description is his bag, and he’s sure to be in the shake-up.
Bay City Roller
Bay City Roller is the apple of George Scott’s eye having been out of the top two just twice in his 15 races. He successfully won his first try in Group 1 company when a seven length winner of the Preis von Bayern last season, and following two seconds to Lambourn and Almaqam, he won another Group 1 when a 10 length winner of the Coronation Cup.
He’s proved that was no fluke since, having finished second twice to the third best horse in the world in Daryz, including the Arc last time out.
Constitution River
Constitution River had the makings of becoming one of the greatest ten furlong horses to emerge from Ballydoyle having won the French Derby from stall 15 and routing his opposition in the Coral-Eclipse.
However, despite some of the highest plaudits from connections, he failed to make a mark in the Juddmonte International behind Almaqam, and while he reversed the form at Leopardstown, he was no match for the older horses in Hotazhell and Wimbledon Hawkeye.
Devil’s Advocate
Devil’s Advocate will merely be acting as the pacemaker for his stablemate Ombudsman in what promises to be a thrilling renewal of the Qatar Racing Champion Stakes.