Champions Day results: Ombudsman storms to Champion Stakes glory as Talk Of New York takes the QEII

Ombudsman produced a performance worthy of his billing as one of the best horses in the world to land the Qatar Racing Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday. Sent off the well-backed 5/4 favourite, John and Thady Gosden‘s five-year-old gained handsome revenge on Calandagan, who beat him in this race 12 months ago.

Ombudsman raced more prominently than usual, but William Buick was in no rush, sitting patiently and waiting for the right moment. Once he was given the office, the response was instant. Ombudsman unleashed an exceptional turn of foot to surge clear, and the result was never in doubt from there. Calandagan stuck to his task in second, but the 5/2 shot simply could not live with the winner, while Bay City Roller was third and Almaqam fourth.

This was a timely return to form after his below-par effort in the Juddmonte International, and a second top-level success at the Berkshire track this season after his Prince Of Wales’s Stakes romp in June. It was a disappointing end to the day for Ballydoyle, though, as Constitution River never got involved after O’Brien opted to keep him at 1m2f, a no-show that could prove costly in the trainers’ title race.

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes: Talk Of New York graduates at the top level

Talk Of New York completed his education in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, landing his first Group 1 by a length and a quarter at 3/1 for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. Ed Walker’s Ten Bob Tony ran a huge race at 7/1 to finish second, with French raider Rayif a neck further back in third and 150/1 shot Needle Match another neck away in fourth.

The Godolphin colt had pulled too hard at the royal meeting and was beaten at Goodwood, but he put it all together in the Joel Stakes at Newmarket and has now stepped up again on the big stage. It was a bitter afternoon for Ballydoyle, though. Gstaad, kept at a mile after O’Brien’s late change of heart, could only finish eighth as the 7/4 favourite, while stablemate Hawk Mountain trailed home last of the 11 runners.

Long Distance Cup: Mount Atlas stuns the stayers

Andrew Balding had described Mount Atlas as “an unlikely winner” in the build-up, but the five-year-old made a mockery of those words, and his 33/1 odds, to land the British Champions Long Distance Cup. PJ McDonald had to switch twice to find a gap, but once the Silver Cup winner squeezed through inside the final furlong, he kept on strongly to collar Queenstown in the final 75 yards and win by three-quarters of a length.

St Leger hero Highwayman could not end the three-year-olds’ drought, finishing a further three-quarters of a length back in third as the 7/4 favourite, with Gregory fourth. Caballo De Mar never landed a blow in eighth, perhaps feeling the effects of his Cadran exertions. Most importantly for Kingsclere, it was a huge boost to Balding’s bid for a first trainers’ title, with Queenstown’s second place only partly compensating O’Brien.

British Champions Sprint: Almeraq gets up in the nick of time

Almeraq justified 11/10 favouritism in the British Champions Sprint, but only just. William Haggas‘ four-year-old travelled strongly for Tom Marquand, yet still had to work hard to reel in Paborus, who raced alone on the far side and looked to have pinched it inside the final furlong, before Almeraq got up to win by a neck.

Edward Bethell’s 18/1 shot can count himself unlucky, while Division completed a good afternoon for Haggas by finishing third, three-and-a-quarter lengths away. Balding’s Marvelman never threatened in 15th.

Fillies & Mares Stakes: Minnie Hauk denies Kalpana her hat-trick

There was to be no historic hat-trick for Kalpana, as Minnie Hauk hit back for Ballydoyle in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes. Ryan Moore had the 5/1 shot second throughout, and she quickened to lead over a furlong out before keeping on readily to beat Believed by a length and a half. Haggas’ Lilt was a neck back in third, while O’Brien’s 150/1 outsider Sugar Island, who made the running, held on for fourth.

Kalpana was sent off the evens favourite, but she was pushed along early, never landed a blow and finished only seventh. The 13-day turnaround from the Arc may finally have caught up with Balding’s King George heroine, who was bidding to become the first horse to win the race three times. It was a timely winner for O’Brien in the trainers’ title battle, too.

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