Star-studded cast remain on course for epic Champions Day

News | 29^th September 2020

A remarkable 38 individual Group 1 winners remain entered to run at Ascot on Saturday October 17th; the tenth staging of QIPCO British Champions Day.

Big Names Remain in the Hat

The world’s highest-rated racehorse, Ghaiyyath, headlines a stellar cast of horses set to compete at QIPCO British Champions Day. Godolphin’s five-year-old colt is joined by arch rival, Magical, who is bidding to become the first horse to win at three successive QIPCO British Champions Days.

The duo have enthralled racing fans across the world this season with their previous two previous clashes at York and Leopardstown. With the score currently set at 1 – 1 the third leg of the trilogy is delicately poised heading towards Ascot next month.

Also still engaged are other equine A-Listers Palace Pier, Kameko and Mishriff together with Enable, Love and Stradivarius.

Egan Eager to seize change on Big Stage

Jockey David Egan is counting down the days to the biggest ride of his short career, when he is due to be reunited with the hotly tipped Mishriff in the QIPCO Champion Stakes.

The 21-year-old said: “I’m just delighted that Mishriff has proved himself a champion. I’m lucky enough to be able to get back on him. I’ve had some good days on him, and hopefully there will be many more.”

Egan grew up in a family steeped in racing, as a son of jockey John Egan a nephew of three-time champion jockey Richard Hughes. So the young rider is unlikely to be troubled by big-race nerves on Champions Day.

He has complete confidence in Mishriff and he is excited at the possibility of winning such a prestigious race on such a huge occasion.

“He’s so straightforward and he really tries for you. He has a very low head carriage and he just eats up the ground.

The QIPCO Champion Stakes has long been Mishriff’s target. His trainer John Gosden is optimistic of a third win in the race following two facile victories by Cracksman.