Meeting of Champions at Ascot

ASCOT Another stellar renewal of the British Champions Day will take centre stage at Ascot on Oct 18, with the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2,000m) billed to be one of the most exciting races of 2025.

Three of the 10 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 (128).

The John and Thady Gosden-trained charge will be renewing his rivalry with the Aidan O'Brien-trained Delacroix (126).

Delacroix finished ahead of Group 1 Juddmonte International (2,100m) hero Ombudsman in the Group 1 Eclipse Stakes (2,000m) at Sandown earlier in 2025 but was unable to land a blow against the same rival at York on Aug 20.

The pair have not met since, with Delacroix an easy victor of the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes (2,000m) at Leopardstown on Sept 13 during the Irish Champions Weekend.

They will be joined by Ascot's Group 1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,400m) hero Calandagan (125), trained in France by recent Arc-winning (Daryz) trainer Francis-Henri Graffard.

Among other exciting entries figure the supplemented First Look for Andre Fabre and returning Economics for William Haggas.

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 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1,600m) for the Gosdens.

The exciting three-year-old grey by Kingman recorded back-to-back wins in the Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh and the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, both over the mile.

But he was disappointing in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes (1,600m) at Goodwood on July 30, when he picked up an injury.

Juddmonte's five-time winner could face tough opposition from Fallen Angel, who has been revitalised since the application of headgear. She recorded a third consecutive Group 1 success against her own sex when winning the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes (1,600m) for trainer Karl Burke at Newmarket on Oct 4.

Elsewhere, French raider Lazzat will be returning to the scene of his greatest triumph when he takes on a full field in the Group 1 British Champions Sprint Stakes (1,200m).

Jerome Reynier's four-year-old won the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest (1,300m) in 2024 and returned to his very best when scoring in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, excelling over the straight six-furlong course at Royal Ascot on June 21.

Despite suffering defeat on his subsequent two runs in the Maurice de Gheest on Aug 10 and the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup (1,200m) on Sept 6, the globetrotting gelding could show improved form as he returns to Ascot.

The son of Territories will face fellow Wathnan-owned King Of Blue and Flora Of Bermuda, who have both consistently placed in top-level company this season.

The Michael Appleby-trained Big Mojo, winner of the Sprint Cup (1,200m) at Haydock on Sept 6, has been successful over course and distance in the past and will be one of the leading contenders. RACING AND SPORTS