Shergar Cup Jockey Chantal Sutherland Retires

The moment has come where I have decided to announce my retirement from being a professional jockey; I almost can’t believe it myself. I’m not sad, but rather looking at another opportunity to begin a new chapter in my life. Looking ahead, I’m excited about new challenges and new opportunities that life has in store for me.

Horse racing has been my life for the past 14 years. I’ve reached many of the goals that I set for myself. I’ve lived out many of the dreams I had as a little girl, back when I was riding my pony, mucking stalls, feeding cows, aspiring to finally become a professional jockey and racing in stakes races on a worldwide stage. I’m so very blessed and grateful of the life that I have lived and career that I’ve had.

This past year or so has been so amazing it’s actually overwhelming having to put it to words. I crossed paths with a horse that happened to change my life. That horse is named Game On Dude and what a horse! He’s a soldier. Together we travelled the world. We won the Santa Anita Big Cap, Goodwood, almost won the Breeder’s Cup Classic; we won the San Antonio, Hollywood Gold Cup, and the Californian. We travelled to Dubai and raced in the world’s richest race, the Dubai Duty Free World Cup. As if that wasn’t enough, I was asked to be the poster girl for Santa Anita and Del Mar racetracks, and had my picture on billboards and magazine covers. I can’t even describe how flattering that is. Another honor for me was being asked to represent Canada and the USA in a worldwide jockey challenge in England, titled The Shergar Cup. To top it all off, I was also able to win on my brother’s horse “Awesome Fire” in the Whonder Where stakes. In an ironic twist of fate, my dad, who started me off in this crazy love affair with horses, is also the proud owner of the last racehorse I will ride.

In the last year I also met and married the man of my dreams. It’s been a whirlwind. I’ve never really had weekends or holidays off, I’ve always spent so much time racing or focused and preparing for racing. Racing takes so much determination, guts, and sacrifice to be on top. I once craved, lived, and breathed racing. I can honestly say now, I’m ready to slow down and enjoy my life. Maybe I’ll cut loose and have a cheeseburger or some pizza. Those types of indulgencies are not allowed, when you constantly have to monitor your weight. Racing is so much hard work and takes so much mental toughness; I can honestly say that I’ve had enough.

I will forever miss my fans. They were always giving me encouragement and making me feel special and successful. I’ve made so many memories and good friends along the way that I can’t even begin to describe. I want to give a special thanks to my agents, valets, and everyone else in this industry that has stood by me.

So now, with the support of my husband, family, and friends I am ending one chapter in my life and starting a new one. I’m excited about my future and the challenges it will bring. I enjoy working hard and striving to achieve goals, so who knows; maybe you will see me pop up somewhere soon.
XO’s
Chantal

British Champions Series to Apply For Race Upgrades

British Champions Series will be applying to upgrade the Group 2 QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes, won in fine style yesterday by dual Oaks heroine Dancing Rain, to Group 1 status next month.

Having surpassed the required average rating of 110 for a fillies’ and mares’ race for three consecutive years, the previous two when it was run as the Pride Stakes at Newmarket, the mile-and-a-half contest now meets the criteria to be considered by the European Pattern Committee for elevation to the top level.

An application is also likely to be made to upgrade the Group 2 QIPCO British Champions Sprint, won by the brilliant Deacon Blues, to Group 1 status as well.

“Yesterday exceeded our wildest expectations for the inaugural QIPCO British Champions Day with such high class fields, absolute top class winners and a record autumn Flat crowd for the modern era,” said British Champions Series Chief Executive, Rod Street.

“There is a great deal for us to review over the coming weeks, but one obvious thing we would like to improve is the official status of the two Group 2 races and one Group 3 on the card.

“Clearly we would like to have five Group 1s and after yesterday I don’t think anyone could say that the day does not merit that.

“Whilst it may be difficult to achieve, yesterday’s ratings will have ensured that we made some great strides towards our goal and, as well as applying to upgrade the Fillies and Mares, we also hope that the Sprint might qualify for fast-track elevation given that it does not conflict with the five furlong Prix de l’Abbaye on Arc weekend.

“Different horses tend to run over five and six furlongs and there is considerable logic in having a late season Group 1 sprint over six furlongs as well as five.

“The Group 3 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup is much more difficult given the presence of the Group 1 Prix Royal Oak at Longchamp next weekend, but we would be delighted if it could achieve Group 2 status in the near future.

“Having had what are arguably the top two stayers in the world finish first and second yesterday, the same one-two from the Group 1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, we will have comfortably achieved the requisite rating for the race this year.”

“We are very grateful to the European Pattern Committee to have supported the vision that made yesterday possible and we look forward to working with them to strengthen further the overall autumn European Pattern.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Alistair Haggis, British Champions Series: 07761 896 500; ahaggis@britishchampionsseries.com

QIPCO British Champions Series – the world’s finest Flat racing

http://www.britishchampionsseries.com/

At The Races to Produce First Ever 3D Horseracing Feature for the QIPCO British Champions Day

At The Races, the dedicated racing channel available in 13 million Sky and Virgin homes, will produce and edit a groundbreaking 3D feature programme to mark the inaugural QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot this Saturday. It will be the first time British horseracing has been filmed in 3D. The feature is a co-production between ATR, QIPCO and the British Champions Series.

The 24 minute film will be used as a centrepiece at a press and industry event to launch the 2012 QIPCO British Champions Series next year and ATR is also in talks with 3D distributors, service providers and hardware manufacturers worldwide about rights to use the feature.

ATR will use 3D specialist production partner, CAN Communicate, to shoot at Ascot on six 3D cameras. Each 3D camera will actually be made up of two cameras set up to capture action from different angles. Two sets of footage will then be displayed to the viewer simultaneously allowing the brain to determine depth and perspective. Bespoke rigs on the ATR production will allow for smooth zooming, something difficult to achieve in 3D broadcast. State of the art post production systems will generate maximum impact and feature-film quality.

ATR, QIPCO and the British Champions Series are also delighted to announce that legendary racing broadcaster, Sir Peter O’Sullevan, will record the voiceover for the film.

Matthew Imi, Chief Executive of At The Races said, "We believe that racing is ideally suited to 3D broadcast. We want to use the latest technology to capture the colour, impact and excitement of this exceptional day and really create something that can help promote QIPCO British Champions Day, Ascot Racecourse and British racing more generally around the world. We are extremely grateful to Sheikh Fahad for QIPCO’s support of the project and also to the British Champions Series for its involvement. It is also, of course, a real honour to be working with Sir Peter O’Sullevan.”

Sheikh Fahad Al Thani said, “We are proud to extend our association with British racing through this film which should encapsulate the most thrilling raceday ever staged in the UK as well as the richest. We want to be associated with excellence and innovation and British Champions Day is shaping up well to deliver that.”

Rod Street, Chief Executive of the British Champions Series, said, "We are delighted ATR has taken this initiative and equally happy to support it. It's a great way to help celebrate what's already been a hugely successful first QIPCO British Champions Series and will launch us into next year with a showcase of what we're sure will be a real spectacle on QIPCO British Champions Day itself."

- ENDS -

For more information please contact:

Matthew Imi

Chief Executive, At The Races

Tel: 0207 420 3203

James Singer

Marketing Director, At The Races

Tel: 0207 420 3218

QIPCO British Champions Day Fields Taking Shape

MOONLIGHT CLOUD IN FINE FORM AHEAD OF SPRINT

FERDOOS ON COURSE FOR FILLIES AND MARES STAKES

With just 10 days to go until the inaugural QIPCO British Champions Day, the likely fields are taking shape for Britain’s richest-ever raceday at Ascot on Saturday 15 October.

Moonlight Cloud came home seventh after being sent off favourite in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas, the first race of the Fillies & Mares division, at Newmarket in May but the filly has since excelled over shorter distances and looks set to play a leading role in the six-furlong £250,000 Group 2 QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes (2.25pm).

Freddy Head’s charge followed up a cosy head success in a seven-furlong Group 3 at Longchamp at the start of July with a stunning four-length victory over Golden Jubilee Stakes winner Society Rock in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest over six and a half furlongs at Deauville on 7 August.

Head reported: “Moonlight Cloud is heading over for the QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes.

“She has improved all season and was very impressive in the Prix Maurice de Gheest. She seems well in herself and I think that she is still in the same form as when she went to Deauville.

“It will be her first start over six furlongs but she has always possessed a lot speed, even as a juvenile. I don’t mind what the ground will be like - she won on soft ground at Deauville but the going wasn’t the reason for her victory and she was just far better than her rivals.

“We will have to wait and see what the opposition will be at Ascot but I think that she would have a first-class chance of winning.”



Society Rock at Royal Ascot this year



Other likely contenders for the QIPCO British Champions Series Sprint include the James Fanshawe-trained pair of Deacon Blues and Society Rock, plus Group 1 Betfred Sprint Cup third Hoof It.

Roger Varian, fresh from a maiden Group 1 victory at Longchamp on Sunday, is hoping that the lightly-raced Ferdoos can take her chance in the £250,000 Group 2 QIPCO British Champions Fillies And Mares Stakes (3.00pm) over a mile and a half.

The four-year-old has been restricted to just one appearance this season as she gamely beat subsequent Group 1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks runner-up Vita Nova by a neck in a Listed contest at Haydock in May. The form of that victory has been franked further with the third and fourth, Meeznah and Crystal Capella, both going on to Group 2 glory this summer.

Varian revealed: “Ferdoos is on target for the QIPCO British Champions Fillies And Mares Stakes and she has been working well. She had a setback after her run at Haydock in May but she had a break through the summer and has been back in training for a good while now.

“She was only having her fourth start at Haydock and she was a bit green in the straight. The form of that race has worked out very well and it has been a bit frustrating watching from the sidelines.

“Her work has been leading up to Ascot and it’s fingers crossed that she can take her chance.”

Ferdoos could reoppose Vita Nova, Meeznah and Crystal Capella at Ascot, while other contenders include the Mahmood Al Zarooni-trained Blue Bunting, whose three Group 1 wins this season have included the QIPCO 1000 Guineas and the Darley Yorkshire Oaks, and this year’s Group 1 Investec Oaks heroine Dancing Rain, who had a racecourse gallop on the Rowley Mile this morning.

The day’s richest contest, the £1.3 million Group 1 QIPCO Champion Stakes (4.10pm), looks set to be a superb renewal with a stellar cast that features Nathaniel, who has posted impressive victories at Ascot on his two previous starts, including when storming to victory in the Group 1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored by Betfair) in July.

Sir Henry Cecil is set to be double-handed in the 10-furlong contest with Twice Over, who has taken the two previous renewals of the Champion Stakes at Newmarket, set to re-oppose Midday, having inflicted a three-quarter length defeat on the mare in the Group 1 Juddmonte International at York in August.

Cirrus Des Aigles, a 10-length winner of the Group 2 Grand Prix de Deauville in August, will be a rare British runner for Chantilly handler Corine Barande-Barbe, while the Godolphin operation is considering last season’s Group 1 Racing Post Trophy victor Casamento and Dubai Prince.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained So You Think, an eight-time Group 1 winner in Europe and Australia, may bid to return to winning ways following his fourth place in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Sunday and he could be joined by Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club scorer Reliable Man, who could only finish 15th in the Longchamp feature.



Frankel at Royal Ascot this year



Frankel, winner of the QIPCO 2000 Guineas, the St James’s Palace Stakes and the QIPCO Sussex Stakes this season for Sir Henry Cecil, will bid for an incredible ninth successive victory in the mile £1 million Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Sponsored By QIPCO (3.35pm).

Khalid Abdulla’s outstanding miler looks set to face a stern test, with Group 1 Coronation Stakes heroine Immortal Verse on course to return to Ascot and Group 1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp victor Excelebration hoping to turn the tables on Frankel after coming home third in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

QIPCO British Champions Day gets underway with the £200,000 Group 3 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (1.50pm) which is set to feature Opinion Poll, who has posted a pair of Group 2 victories this term in the Artemis Goodwood Cup and the Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup.

Others potential challengers for the two-mile contest include this year’s Group 1 Gold Cup winner Fame And Glory, impressive recent Newmarket Listed scorer Times Up and Group 3 German St Leger victor Fox Hunt.

The next confirmation stage for QIPCO British Champions Day is on Monday, October 10, when there is also a supplementary entry stage for each of the five Group races.

The Premier Enclosure for QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot has sold out, but Grandstand Admission tickets priced at £23.40 (with the 10% advance booking discount which still applies) are still currently available and can be booked via http://www.britishchampionsseries.com/ or http://www.ascot.co.uk/ or by calling the ticket hotline on 0870 727 1234.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Alistair Haggis, British Champions Series: 07761 896 500; ahaggis@britishchampionsseries.com

Nick Smith, Ascot Racecourse: 07771 791 449; nick.smith@ascot.co.uk  

QIPCO British Champions Series – the world’s finest Flat racing

http://www.britishchampionsseries.com/  

Provisional Fixture List for Ascot Racecourse 2012

The planning has already begun for our fixtures for 2012 with the provisional dates outlined below, so get your diaries out and make a note of them! The themes for the 2012 racedays will be confirmed in due course.

Saturday 21st January
Saturday 18th February
Sunday 1st April
Wednesday 2nd May
Friday 11th May (evening)
Saturday 12th May
Tuesday 19th to Saturday 23rd June - Royal Ascot
Friday 20th July
Saturday 21st July
Sunday 22nd July
Friday 27th July
Saturday 28th July
Saturday 11th August
Saturday 8th September
Friday 5th October
Saturday 6th October
Saturday 20th October
Saturday 3rd November
Friday 23rd November
Saturday 24th November
Friday 21st December
Saturday 22nd December

QIPCO British Champions Series Update

NEXT RACE:

THE JUDDMONTE INTERNATIONAL STAKES, YORK, 3.40PM TODAY (17 AUGUST) – MIDDLE DISTANCE

• It is very much a case of the top two trainers in the QIPCO British Champions Series going head-to-head in the sixth Middle Distance race of the Series and the last before the grand finale on QIPCO British Champions Day, the £1.3 million QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday 15 October. Sir Henry Cecil saddles two runners and has five winners to date; Aidan O’Brien saddles three of the remaining four runners and has three winners to date.

• Should O’Brien match Cecil for winners by the time the Series concludes, he will take almost certainly the crown by dint of more second places as he currently has five seconds to Cecil’s one.

• Await The Dawn makes his Series and Group 1 debut, but if Midday is successful, she will join Frankel and Canford Cliffs as the only horses to win more than one Series race to date (she won the Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes in the Fillies & Mares category last month).

• All the O’Brien and Cecil runners in the Juddmonte International are also entered in the QIPCO Champion Stakes, with Await The Dawn and Roderic O’Connor also in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Midday also in the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.

The Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes is 23rd race overall in the QIPCO British Champions Series and the sixth in the Middle Distance division:

1. Investec Coronation Cup (1½ miles, 4yo+), Epsom, Friday 3 June – won by ST NICHOLAS ABBEY
2. Investec Derby (1½ miles, 3yo), Epsom, Saturday 4 June – won by POUR MOI
3. Prince of Wales’s Stakes (1¼ miles, 4yo+), Royal Ascot, Wednesday 15 June – won by REWILDING
4. Coral-Eclipse Stakes (1¼ miles, 3yo+), Sandown Park, Saturday 2 July – won by SO YOU THINK
5. King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Betfair) (1½ miles, 3yo+), Ascot, Saturday 23 July – won by NATHANIEL
6. Juddmonte International (1¼ miles, 3yo+), York, Wednesday 17 August
7. QIPCO Champion Stakes (1¼ miles, 3yo+), Ascot, Saturday 15 October

The upcoming QIPCO British Champions Series races are:
The Darley Yorkshire Oaks (1½m, 3yo+ fillies & mares), York, Thursday 18 August (FILLIES & MARES)
The Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (5f, 2yo+), York, Friday 19 August (SPRINT)
The Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup (2m, 3yo+), York, Saturday 20 August (LONG DISTANCE)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Alistair Haggis, British Champions Series: 07761 896 500; ahaggis@britishchampionsseries.com

QIPCO British Champions Series - the world's finest Flat racing
www.britishchampionsseries.com

Happy 300th Birthday Ascot Racecourse!

It was Queen Anne who first saw the potential for a racecourse at Ascot. Whilst out riding, she came upon an area of open heath, not far from Windsor Castle, that looked an ideal place for “horses to gallop at full stretch”. The first meeting on Saturday 11th August 1711 was such a success that 300 years on the racecourse has established itself as being the ultimate stage for the best racehorses in the world. There a few sporting venues that can match the rich heritage and history of Ascot.

To celebrate our 300th Birthday today we want you to write, in no more than 300 characters, what Ascot Racecourse means to you. The entry that we judge to be the best will win a table for four to the 5th Ascot Beer Festival on Saturday 1st October plus a bag of Ascot Racecourse goodies. We will also provide 7 runners up with Ascot Tercentenary goodies.

The top quotes will be put on the Ascot blog. So, get your thinking caps on and let us know what Ascot Racecourse means to you!

To enter the competition either comment on our Facebook page (Ascot Racecourse), tweet us at @AscotInsider or send us an email with your quote on to facebook@ascot.co.uk. Good Luck.

Terms and Conditions
1. Competition closes at 3pm on Monday 15th August.
2. Offer only open to followers of @AscotInsider on Twitter http://twitter.com/AscotInsider or Fans of Ascot Racecourse on Facebook.
3. No cash alternative is available and all prizes are non-transferable and non-refundable. Tickets are not for resale and cannot be used for commercial use or use in further promotions.
4. The entries will be judged by the Marketing Department at Ascot Racecourse and the winner plus runners up will be informed by 3pm, Tuesday 16th August.
5. Prizes will be sent within 14 days after the competition closes.
6. Please note that your table may be shared with other people.
Promoter: Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, Berkshire. SL5 7JX.

LADBROKES INSTALL PAUL HANAGAN AS 4/1 FAVOURITE FOR SILVER SADDLE AT TOMORROW’S DUBAI DUTY FREE SHERGAR CUP

Ladbrokes, the official bookmaker to the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, have installed reigning British champion jockey Paul Hanagan as the 4/1 favourite for the Silver Saddle. The Silver Saddle is awarded to the individual jockey who amasses the most points during the six-race card at Ascot tomorrow.

Ladbrokes’ full list of Silver Saddle prices is as follows.

4/1 Paul Hanagan (GBR)
6/1 Richard Hughes (IRE)
13/2 Hayley Turner (GBR)
9/1 Hugh Bowman (ROW)
10/1 Colm O'Donoghue (IRE)
10/1 Christophe Lemaire (EUR)
10/1 Olivier Peslier (EUR)
10/1 Douglas Whyte (ROW)
12/1 Yutaka Take (ROW)
12/1 Fran Berry (IRE)
16/1 Jim Crowley (GBR)
16/1 Mirco Demuro (EUR)

Ladbrokes’ latest prices for the team competition:

7/4 Great Britain
5/2 Ireland
7/2 Europe
7/2 Rest of the World

About The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup

The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup is the world’s premier international jockeys’ team competition with four teams, each consisting of three jockeys, representing Great Britain (GBR), Ireland (IRE), Europe (EUR) and the Rest of the World (ROW).

Line-ups for the four teams are as follows:

Great Britain - Paul Hanagan (Captain), Hayley Turner, Jim Crowley

Ireland - Richard Hughes (Captain), Fran Berry, Colm O’Donoghue

Europe - Olivier Peslier (Captain), Christophe Lemaire, Mirco Demuro

Rest of the World - Douglas Whyte (Captain), Yutaka Take, Hugh Bowman

Held at Ascot tomorrow, Saturday, August 6, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup consists of a six-race programme, with 10 runners in each race. Each jockey will have a total of five rides throughout the afternoon with points awarded on a 15, 10, 7, 5, 3 basis for the first five horses home in each race. The team with the highest total after the six races have been run lifts the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup while the individual jockey who gains the most points will be awarded the Silver Saddle.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Nick Smith, Head of Public Relations and International Racing, Ascot, 07771 791449

Outstanding QIPCO British Champions Day in Prospect

Frankel, Canford Cliffs, Goldikova and Dick Turpin among 31 entries for
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes;
So You Think, Nathaniel, Pour Moi and Frankel head entry of 40 for QIPCO Champion Stakes

The inaugural £3m QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday 15 October looks set to provide a stunning climax to the QIPCO British Champions Series after entries for the five championship contests on Britain’s richest ever raceday were revealed today.

An outstanding entry of 31 horses for the £1 million Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO (Group One), which will be by far the richest mile race ever run in Europe, includes the world’s top four milers headed by superstar Frankel, the best horse in the world this year and already hailed by many as the greatest racehorse of the modern era.

The Sir Henry Cecil-trained three-year-old maintained his faultless record with a remarkable five-length success in the QIPCO Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood a week ago - his third Mile victory in the QIPCO British Champions Series following wins in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May and the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

Ladbrokes have installed him as their red-hot 1-3 favourite for the glittering contest which will be run over Ascot’s straight mile.

The world’s second highest rated miler, Canford Cliffs, who was beaten five lengths in the QIPCO Sussex Stakes but had previously reeled off five Group One victories in succession, looks set to have another crack at Frankel and is the 4-1 second favourite in Ladbrokes’ ante-post market.
Also entered is the world’s joint third highest rated miler, the brilliant French-trained mare Goldikova, who recorded her 14th success at the highest level with a record fourth consecutive victory in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville on Sunday, having gone down by a length to Canford Cliffs in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. She is 6-1 with Ladbrokes.

Canford Cliffs’ trainer Richard Hannon has also entered Dick Turpin, who won the Prix Jean Prat last year and is joint third in the international mile ratings, and ready Goodwood Group Two scorer Strong Suit, while other potential contenders include last year’s winner Poet’s Voice, multiple Group One heroine Sahpresa, Coronation Stakes winner, Immortal Verse, Italian star, Worthadd and the St James’s Palace runner-up, Zoffany.

The £1.3m QIPCO Champion Stakes over one and a quarter miles, which will be the richest race ever run in Britain, has attracted a similarly powerful entry of 40 horses, headed by three of the world’s leading middle distance performers including Southern Hemisphere champion So You Think, who was victorious in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown at the start of July for his handler, Aidan O’Brien.

Nathaniel was an impressive winner of the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Betfair) for trainer John Gosden at Ascot on July 23, while fellow three-year-old Pour Moi has been entered by legendary French handler Andre Fabre following an exhilarating last-to-first success in the Investec Derby at Epsom Downs in June.

Frankel also holds an entry in the race just in case connections decide to step him up in trip, but the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes appears to be the far more likely target.

Further spice may be added by the likes of Twice Over, who has triumphed in the past two renewals of the Champion Stakes at Newmarket, French Group One winners Sarafina and Planteur, as well as So You Think’s stable companion Await The Dawn, a ready winner of the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Midday and Snow Fairy have posted 10 victories in Group/Grade One company between them, while Classic winners Roderic O’Connor, Misty For Me, Reliable Man and Tin Horse are also engaged.

Golden Jubilee Stakes victor Society Rock and Dream Ahead, successful in the Darley July Cup, headline an entry of 44 for the £250,000 Group Two QIPCO British Champions Sprint over six furlongs. Indeed, the first six from the Darley July Cup are all entered together with the Golden Jubilee runner-up, Monsieur Chevalier.

Sole Power could also aim for a second victory in the QIPCO British Champions Series having triumphed in the Betfred.com Temple Stakes at Haydock in May, while Hoof It looks set to make his mark in Group company following a record breaking victory under 10st in the ultra competitive Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood on Saturday.

Other entries include Masamah, Moonlight Cloud and Wizz Kid, who beat Prohibit in the Group Two Prix du Gros-Chene at Chantilly in June.

Midday also features alongside Classic-winning three-year-olds Blue Bunting and Dancing Rain in the 40 entries for the £250,000 Group Two QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares over a mile and a half.

The consistent Wonder Of Wonders may bid to avenge her Epsom defeat by Blue Bunting and she could be joined by Irish Oaks runner-up Banimpire, successful at Ascot in the Ribblesdale Stakes at the Royal Meeting. Other entries of note include Crystal Capella and Principal Role, while a six-strong French entry includes Group Two scorer Maria Royal and the unbeaten Pacifique.

The 55 entries for the £200,000 Group Three QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup over two miles includes this year’s Gold Cup victor Fame And Glory, Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup winner Duncan and Opinion Poll, who posted a thrilling victory over Lost In The Moment, Blue Bajan and Fox Hunt in the Artemis Goodwood Cup last week.

Leading Ladbrokes St Leger contenders Sea Moon, Namibian and Masked Marvel may also line up alongside the progressive Keys, Hardwicke Stakes runner-up Harris Tweed and the Dermot Weld-trained Sense Of Purpose.

The two Group Two races and one Group Three contest all carry Group One conditions, with no penalties and prize money levels consistent with Group One races.

“We couldn’t have asked for better QIPCO British Champions Day entries with the mouth-watering prospect of Frankel’s last race of the season in the QE2 in a rematch with Canford Cliffs, with the possibility of Goldikova as well, unquestionably topping the bill,” said Rod Street, Chief Executive of the British Champions Series.

“In the Champion, So You Think may look to bow out from his European campaign on a massive high, perhaps against the fast improving King George winner, Nathaniel, while stars like Dream Ahead and Hoof It in the Sprint, Midday and Blue Bunting in the Fillies & Mares and all the top stayers in the Long Distance Cup promise to make this one of the most exciting Flat racedays that this country has ever seen.

“Getting 26 French-trained entries and 36 from Ireland has exceeded our expectations.
“We expect ticket sales to build up a real momentum now and we’ll be looking for an early sell-out of Premier Admission as has been the case on Ascot’s other big days this season.”

Tickets for QIPCO British Champions Day are priced at £45 for Premier admission and £26 for Grandstand admission, with a 10% advance booking discount available now and greater reductions for group bookings of 10 or more people. Under 18s will be admitted free.

To book tickets, visit http://www.britishchampionsseries.com//http://www.ascot.co.uk/ or call Ascot on 0870 727 1234.

Ladbrokes Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Prices
1/3 Frankel

4 Canford Cliffs

6 Goldikova

6 Zoffany

20 Cityscape

25 Dick Turpin

150 Bullet Train
E/W 1,2 Others on request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Alistair Haggis, British Champions Series: 07761 896 500; ahaggis@britishchampionsseries.com
Nick Smith, Ascot Racecourse: 07771 791 449; nick.smith@ascot.co.uk
QIPCO British Champions Series – the world ' s finest Flat racing
http://www.britishchampionsseries.com/

QIPCO British Champions Day Entries Close on Tuesday

Entries for the five championship races on QIPCO British Champions Day, which offer total prize money of £3 million, making the programme at Ascot on Saturday 15 October by far the most valuable in British racing history, close at 12 noon on Tuesday (2 August).

The £1.3m QIPCO Champion Stakes (Group 1) over 1m 2f and the £1m Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO (Group 1) over a mile are the afternoon’s main highlights and represent the climax to the Middle Distance and Mile divisions in the QIPCO British Champions Series.

The £250,000 QIPCO British Champions Sprint (Group 2) over 6 furlongs (formerly the Diadem Stakes), the £250,000 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares (Group 2) over 1m 4f (formerly the Pride Stakes) and the £200,000 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 3) over 2 miles (formerly the Jockey Club Cup) provide the climax to their respective Series categories and although they do not have official Group 1 status, they do have Group 1 conditions.

“Our main message to trainers pondering their entries for QIPCO British Champions Day is that these three races do not entail penalties for Group race winners and, with the level of prize money that they offer, they are effectively Group 1 contests in all but name,” commented Rod Street, Chief Executive of British Champions Series Limited.

“We hope that all five races will attract strong entries, especially the QIPCO Champion Stakes, which will be the most valuable race ever run in Britain, and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, which will be by far the most valuable mile race ever run in Europe.

“Frankel’s likely participation in the latter might make some owners and trainers think twice about taking him on, but it’s worth pointing out that second place in the QE2 is worth £215,000, which is more than any other mile race in Britain carries in first place prize money.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Alistair Haggis, British Champions Series: 07761 896 500; ahaggis@britishchampionsseries.com
QIPCO British Champions Series – the world’s finest Flat racing
www.britishchampionsseries.com

QIPCO British Champions Day Race Programme Announced

The five Group races on QIPCO British Champions Day, the richest day in British racing history at Ascot on Saturday 15 October, will be run in prize money order, building up to the two headline contests at the end.

Following the £200,000 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (race 1, 1.50pm*), the £250,000 QIPCO British Champions Sprint (race 2, 2.25pm*) and the £250,000 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares (race 3, 3pm*), the tension will mount ahead of the richest mile race ever run in Europe, the £1 million Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO (race 4, 3.35pm*), and the richest race ever run in Britain, the £1.3 million QIPCO Champion Stakes (race 5, 4.10pm*).

All five races will be shown live in a special three-hour programme dedicated to coverage of the sparkling new £3 million finale to the British Flat racing season and the climax of the inaugural QIPCO British Champions Series.

The broadcast is currently scheduled to start on BBC 2 at 1.30pm before switching to BBC 1 at 2.15pm and finishing ahead of Final Score at 4.30pm.

The sixth and final race on the card will be the £25,000 QIPCO Future Stars Apprentices’ Handicap (Class 2, 81-100 ratings band) at 4.45pm, the richest race for apprentice jockeys in this country, which will provide a fantastic opportunity for the aspiring British champions of the future to demonstrate their skills in the saddle on the highest profile raceday of the year.

This will ensure that the professional jockeys who won the big races and the rider crowned top jockey of the QIPCO British Champions Series can concentrate on a major press conference and print and broadcast media interviews following the running of the QIPCO Champion Stakes.

“Unlike many racedays, when the big race is often in the middle of the card, it has always been our plan to build up to the two biggest races as the climax to this spectacular race progamme,” said Rod Street, Chief Executive of British Champions Series Ltd.

“This should provide the best possible experience for our racegoers and for TV viewers on the BBC, Racing UK, At The Races and on foreign channels taking the broadcast all over the world.

“Staging the country’s most valuable apprentices’ race to close the card will give the future stars of our sport the chance to share some of the limelight on QIPCO British Champions Day whilst allowing the professional jockeys to meet all media commitments at the end of this ground-breaking new day.”

Kevin Darley, Chief Executive of the Professional Jockeys’ Association, commented: “Adding the richest apprentice race in Europe to the inaugural QIPCO British Champions Day is an excellent innovation.

“It is fantastic that QIPCO are willing to support our stars of the future by providing them with a platform to shine on such a prestigious day.”

Tickets for QIPCO British Champions Day are priced at £45 for Premier admission and £26 for Grandstand admission, with a 10% advance booking discount available and greater reductions for group bookings of 10 or more people. Under 18s will be admitted free.

To book tickets, visit www.britishchampionsseries.com / www.ascot.co.uk or call Ascot on 0870 727 1234.

QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY RACE PROGRAMME
1.50* £200,000 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 3 #)
2 miles (round course)
2.25* £250,000 QIPCO British Champions Sprint (Group 2 #)
6 furlongs (straight course)
3.00* £250,000 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares (Group 2 #)
1 mile 4 furlongs (round course)
3.35* £1,000,000 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO (British Champions Mile) (Group 1)
1 mile (straight course)
4.10* £1,300,000 QIPCO Champion Stakes (British Champions Middle Distance) (Group 1)
1 mile 2 furlongs (round course)
4.45* £25,000 QIPCO Future Stars Apprentices Handicap
7 furlongs (straight course)

* race times are provisional and may be subject to minor alteration
# the two Group 2 races and one Group 3 contest are Group 1 races in all but name – there are no penalties to be carried by Group race winners and they have a Group 1 level of prize money

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Alistair Haggis, British Champions Series: 07761 896 500; ahaggis@britishchampionsseries.com Nick Smith, Ascot Racecourse: 07771 791 449; nick.smith@ascot.co.uk

Ascot’s Shergar Cup 1980s concert...spotlight on Visage

Looking ahead to the spectacular two and three quarter hour 1980s Here and Now post Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup concert on Saturday 6th August, each week we are focussing on one of the acts performing in the concert and this week is the turn of Visage.

Visage one of the cult groups of the 1980s and fronted by the outrageous Steve Strange. The group’s music and fashion was closely linked to that of the New Romanticism era that flourished between 1979 and 1982.

They rose to stardom with their first release ‘Fade To Grey’ in 1981 which went to number 1 in a staggering 21 countries. The group later released hits such as ‘Mind Of A Toy’, ‘The Damned Don’t Cry’ and ‘Night Train’. Visage released a total of 6 albums and compilations as well as 8 singles during their career.

Tickets for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup on Saturday 6th August, including the Here and Now concert, start from £26. To book, or for further information, call 0870 727 1234 or visit ascot.co.uk.

Whyte, Take and Bowman form “strongest ever” Rest of the World Team for 2011 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup

South African Doug Whyte, the record-breaking 10-times Champion Jockey in Hong Kong, will return to the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup for the first time in five years on Saturday 6th August as Captain of the Rest of the World Team.

Whyte, 39, is nailed on for an 11th consecutive championship title when the season ends next month and remains the only jockey to ride 1,000 winners in Hong Kong. He will be joined in the world’s premier international jockeys’ competition by Japanese superstar, Yutaka Take.

Take, 42, has been crowned Champion Jockey in Japan on an unprecedented 18 occasions and has ridden an all-time record of well over 3,000 winners in his country, where he is revered as a sporting icon.

The third member of the team is Hugh Bowman, one of the top five jockeys in Australia who was crowned champion in Sydney in 2008-09. The 30-year-old is back in the UK for a short period riding for Mick Channon, with whom he spent a successful stint in 2007.

All three jockeys have excelled in past Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cups, making them a formidable combination for the Rest of the World Team this year.

Since it became an international jockeys’ competition in 2001, Whyte has ridden in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup three times (2002, 2003 and 2006), finishing second in the Silver Saddle table for the top jockey in 2003 when he rode two winners.

Take has taken part four times (2003, 2004, 2007 and 2008), finishing second in the Silver Saddle table in 2008 when he notched up two winners to add to the one he rode in 2007.

Bowman has ridden in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup once before, in 2007, when he made a huge impact, winning the Silver Saddle as the day’s top jockey (he rode a winner, a second, a third and fourth) and captaining the Rest of the World Team to victory with Take alongside him. That is the last time that the Rest of the World Team was victorious.

Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of title sponsor Dubai Duty Free, said: “We are delighted to see such a strong contingent representing the Rest of the World.

“The competition for places in all the teams further endorses the growing profile of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup and we look forward to seeing some of the world’s leading riders competing on one of the world’s greatest stages.”

Ascot’s Head of International Racing, Nick Smith, said: “This has to be the strongest and most experienced Rest of the World Team that we have ever assembled for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup.

“Doug Whyte and Yutaka Take are nothing short of legends in the Far East where they have broken every riding record, while Hugh Bowman is one of Australia’s very best jockeys and rode our tracks so well when he was here in 2007, taking that year’s Shergar Cup by storm.

“Ireland has won the Team competition for the last two years, but I’m sure the Rest of the World will make a bold bid for victory this year. We will be announcing the teams to represent Great Britain, Ireland and Europe in a few weeks’ time. ”

The six races will be followed by a two-hour 80s concert with a line-up including Jason Donovan, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Jimmy Somerville, Paul Young, Toyah, China Crisis and Altered Images.

It is Ascot’s best attended raceday outside the Royal Meeting with a crowd of around 30,000 expected. Tickets (Premier £40; Grandstand £26) can be booked in advance with a minimum 10% discount (higher discounts available for group bookings) at ascot.co.uk or by calling 0870 727 1234.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:Nick Smith, Head of Public Relations and International Racing, Ascot, 07771 791449