Ascot are set to stage another stellar renewal of British Champions Day, with the 1m2f Group 1 Champions Stakes billed to be one of the most exciting races of the year.
Three of the eight best turf horses in the world according to the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings will take their place in the contest, including the world's top-rated Ombudsman. John and Thady Gosden's charge will be renewing his rivalry with the Aidan O'Brien-trained Delacroix, who finished ahead of Group 1 Juddmonte International hero Ombudsman in the Group 1 Eclipse Stakes earlier in the year but was unable to land a blow against the same rival at York. The pair have not met since, with Delacroix an easy victor of the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes during Irish Champions Weekend.
They will be joined by Ascot hero Calandagan from France, the supplemented First Look and returning Economics.
Although he holds two entries on British Champions Day, Royal Ascot winner Field Of Gold is expected to make his return to the racetrack in the mile Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes for John and Thady Gosden.
The exciting three-year-old recorded back-to-back wins in the Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas and the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, before disappointing in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood where he picked up an injury.
He could face tough opposition from Fallen Angel, who has been revitalised since the application of headgear and recorded a third consecutive Group 1 success against her own sex when winning the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket.
Elsewhere, Lazzat will be returning to the scene of his greatest triumph as he takes on a full field in the 6f Group 1 British Champions Sprint Stakes.
Jerome Reynier's four-year-old won the Prix Maurice de Gheest in 2024 and returned to his very best when scoring by half-a-length in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, excelling over the straight six-furlong course at Royal Ascot. Despite suffering defeat on his subsequent two runs in the Maurice de Gheest and the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup, the globe trotting gelding could show improved form returned to Ascot.
He will face fellow Wathnan Racing-owned King Of Blue and Flora Of Bermuda, who have both consistently placed in top-level company this season. Big Mojo, winner of the Sprint Cup at Haydock, has been successful over course and distance in the past and will be one of the leading contenders.
