The Benefits of becoming an Ascot Annual Badgeholder in 2011

The 2011 Ascot Annual Badge marking Ascot's tercentenary.

Learn more about the benefit of becoming an Ascot Annual Badgeholder in 2011. For just £320 including VAT in 2011, the Ascot Annual Badgeholder benefits include:

• Access to the Racecourse and the Premier Admission areas on all 21 Ascot racedays outside Royal Ascot (Tuesday 14th to Saturday 18th June 2011).


• Premier Admission access to British Champions' Day (Saturday 15th October 2011).


• A comprehensive calendar of over 30 reciprocal dates, including Future Champions' Day at Newmarket (Saturday 8th October 2011).


• Exclusive half price tickets on all days of Royal Ascot (maximum of four per person per day of Royal Ascot).


• An Ascot Badgeholder metal badge and Badgeholder passcard. For existing Badgeholders, as soon as your renewal form is received, we will issue you a new passcard to allow you access into the Racecourse on all the relevant 2011 racedays. For new Badgeholders, a passport sized photograph will be required.


• The opportunity to purchase metal guest badges with passcards.


• Exclusive access to the Trackside Room, a private bar and restaurant facility located in the west end of the Grandstand offering a full bar facility, tea and coffee, hot dish of the day, sandwiches, baguettes and cakes.


• Ascot Badgeholders are permitted to bring one accompanied Premier Admission guest into the Trackside Room on all racedays except Saturday 23rd July, Saturday 6th August, Saturday 15th October and Saturday 17th December.


• Access to the Ascot Badgeholders’ viewing area on Level 2 of the Grandstand.


• Access to Premier Admission on Level 4 of the Grandstand.


• A car parking space in Car Park 1 or Car Park 2 at all 21 racedays.


• Free copy of the Royal Ascot Magazine.

Children and Grandchildren aged 17 and under are welcome in the Trackside Room on all days.
Up to two tickets at half price to any day outside Royal Ascot to entertain friends and family.
The Ascot Badgeholder metal badge should be worn so that it is clearly visible at all times. In the event of an Ascot Badgeholder losing his or her badge, passcard or car park label an administration fee of £25 will be charged for replacements.

The Ascot Badgeholder passcard will act as the entrance ticket on the day of the meeting. Once inside the course, the metal badge will allow access to the Ascot Badgeholders’ facilities.

For further information, or to join, call 01344 878 513 or visit http://www.ascot.co.uk/?page=Racing_Information

Ascot Racecourse Awarded Quality Assured Status by Visit England

Ascot Racecourse has been awarded Quality Assured status by Visit England. The accolade assesses the level of customer care and service at visitor attractions across the country with everything from hotels to zoos. By displaying the easily recognised Enjoy England Quality Rose at the Berkshire track, racegoers can be confident their experience will be of the highest quality.

The Enjoy England Quality Rose was created to reassure customers before they visit their chosen attraction. The criteria is judged by an independent assessor on an annual basis and Enjoy England can then ensure that the standards experienced are as high as possible and the venue is worthy of carrying this auspicious mark. Customers can relax, book with confidence and get on with the real business of having a fantastic day out in confidence. The Quality Rose is the mark of England’s official, nationwide quality assessment scheme and is an independent, reliable, impartial assessment of quality covering just about every type of place you might want to stay or visit.

‘We are thrilled to have been awarded the Quality Rose by Enjoy England. This recognition underpins our status as a first class national tourism attraction. It is especially exciting as it rounds off a wonderful ten days with Royal Ascot being awarded Gold in the Tourism South-East Excellence Awards last Thursday,’ said John Blake, Head of Sales and Marketing at the Berkshire track.

‘England has a world famous sporting heritage and for many parts of the country horseracing is at the core of the community. I can't think of a more thrilling day out than a day at the races. The Visit England Quality Rose marque provides a recognised stamp of approval showing visitors that Ascot Racecourse has been assessed along similar lines to a more traditional type of visitor attraction providing regular racegoers and first time visitors alike with a high quality, highly memorable experience,’ added James Berresford, Chief Executive of Visit England.

Ascot is committed to providing a value-for-money fun day out for all customers with Royal Ascot, live music, wine and beer festivals, family days and world class racing action.

For further information, images and logos, please contact:
John Blake, Head of Sales & Marketing, Ascot Racecourse, 01344 878512, 07917 521429, john.blake@ascot.co.uk, www.ascot.co.uk

Free Racing For Students at Ascot on Saturday 30th October

Saturday 30th October rases the curtain on the Ascot Jumps season

Fizz, Bang Pop! Don't miss the Fireworks Spectacular after Racing

Ascot Racecourse is opening its doors free of charge for all valid Student Card and NUS Card holders on Saturday 30th October: United House Group Day. The day heralds Ascot's first meeting of the 2010/2011 Jumps season and features the £100,000 United House Group Gold Cup Chase over three miles.

The offer is being communicated through British Horseracing Authority Student Ambassadors at universities across the country, promoted in the Student Racing magazine, via www.studentracing.co.uk and through viral campaigns on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

‘Opening our doors free of charge to students gives Ascot the opportunity to show off our impressive Grandstand and showcase some great racing to an audience that would not otherwise consider a day at the races,’ said John Blake, Head of Sales and Marketing at Ascot Racecourse.

‘We’re delighted that Ascot is giving such strong support to our student racing programme. Racing for Change has been tasked with broadening the appeal of horseracing, especially amongst younger adults, so we’re delighted that students will be getting the chance to sample the sport at such a magnificent venue’, added Nick Attenborough, Director of Consumer PR, Racing Enterprises.

All students have to do is bring their Student Card and NUS Card along to any of the Ascot ticket offices from 10.45am on Saturday 30th October and they will be given a complimentary Grandstand Admission ticket that entitles them to a free day of racing. They can also stay on to watch the Firework Spectacular after racing in association with the Ascot Round Table.

To make the event more affordable, Ascot will be running its £5 Pie and a Pint promotion and the tote will be handing out betting booklets for students containing vouchers for £2 off £5 bets.

ENDS

Notes for editors
Free Student Racing is a Racing for Change/Racing Enterprises initiative designed to encourage more people racing and is run by the British Horseracing Authority.

Timings
· Gates open: 10.45am
· First Race: 1.50pm
· Last race: 5.35pm
· Fireworks commence: 6.30pm

Standard Ticket Prices
· Premier Admission: £26
· Grandstand Admission: £16
· Children under 18: Free
· After 4,30pm, Ascot Round Table will take over the ticket offices for Fireworks only tickets which are charged at £7 for an adult 13+, £5 for a child aged 5 to 12 and under 4s are free

For further information:
John Blake, Head of Sales and Marketing, Ascot Racecourse; 01344 878512 / 07917 521429
Nick Attenborough, Director of Consumer PR, Racing Enterprises: 0207 152 0236

Please contact John Blake for logos and images.

Pitstop Brewery’s Horsepower Wins Ascot’s Beer of the Festival 2010

Frankie Dettori performs his flying dismount after winning the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by Sony) on board Poet's Voice

23,250 pints were consmed over the two days of this year's Ascot Beer Festival

4th CAMRA Ascot Racecourse Beer Festival: Friday 24th & Saturday 25th September 2010

Horsepower, an American style IPA heavily hopped Centennial, Chinook and Cascade hops and brewed especially for the Ascot Racecourse Beer Festival, beat off 202 other real ales to scoop the Beer of the Festival award as voted for by racegoers. A great achievement in itself, but made even more remarkable as Pitstop Brewery won the same accolade last year with Sump, a Russian style stout.

Pitstop Brewery in Wantage and is the brainchild of Peter Fowler. ‘The Beer of the Festival award is keenly contested and to win two years in a row is a fantastic achievement for Pitstop as Peter only started brewing commercially 2 years ago’ said John Blake, Head of Sales and Marketing at Ascot Racecourse.

Peter Fowler, head brewer at Pitstop, said he was absolutely delighted that Horsepower had won the Beer of the Festival Award at Ascot. ‘This was the second year running that the fledgling brewery has scooped the award. What makes this award special is that it’s voted for by the drinkers at the Beer Festival, rather than a panel of judges. It’s particularly pleasing that a beer that was created for Ascot proved so popular, especially considering that there were over 200 to choose from’. Peter will now be adding Horsepower to his expanding portfolio. Peter said that the continuing success of Pitstop’s craft beers means that he is currently looking for larger premises to meet the increasing demand for his beers.

‘Yet again the Ascot Racecourse Beer Festival proved to be huge success despite the cooler weather. The choice and quality of the beer on offer was excellent and Pitstop Horsepower proved to be a deserved winner and clearly comes from a thoroughbred stable!’ added Nick Boley, Berkshire South-East CAMRA branch chair.

Record crowds attended the two day beer festival, which combines real ale with superb quality horseracing. Whilst Horsepower won the plaudits on the track, Frankie Dettori stole the show with four consecutive wins on Saturday; most notably partnering Poet’s Voice in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, sponsored by Sony.

The 5th Ascot Racecourse CAMRA Beer Festival will be held on Friday 30th September to Saturday 1st October 2011.

ENDS

Notes for editors
· Attendance over the two days was 35,210, 2% up on 2009
· A total of 23,250 pints were consumed over the two days; 12% up on 2009
· The Beer Festival showcased a total of 228 real ales, ciders and perries predominantly form local craft brewers and producers; 20% more than in 2009.

Past winners of the Beer of the Festival Award as voted for by racegoers are as follows:
· 2007: Summer Lightning brewed by Hop Back Brewery, Downton, Wiltshire.
· 2008: Barbus Barbus brewed by Butts Brewery, Great Shefford, Berkshire.
· 2009: Sump brewed by Pitstop Brewery, Wantage, Oxfordshire.
· 2010: Horsepower brewed by Pitstop Brewery, Wantage, Oxfordshire.

For further information:
John Blake, Head of Sales and Marketing, Ascot Racecourse; 01344 878512 / 07917 521429
Peter Fowler, Head Brewer, Pitstop Brewery; 07870 577742

Confirmed Ascot racedays for 2011

Saturday 22 January (Jumps)
Saturday 19 February (Jumps)
Sunday 10 April (Jumps)
Wednesday 27 April (Flat)
Friday 6 May – evening (Flat)
Saturday 7 May (Flat)
Tuesday 14 June (Royal Ascot)
Wednesday 15 June (Royal Ascot)
Thursday 16 June (Royal Ascot)
Friday 17 June (Royal Ascot)
Saturday 18 June (Royal Ascot)
Friday 8 July (Flat)
Saturday 9 July (Flat)
Friday 22 July (Flat)
Saturday 23 July (Flat)
Sunday 24 July (Flat)
Saturday 6 August (Flat)
Saturday 3 September (Flat)
Friday 30 September (Flat)
Saturday 1 October (Flat)
Saturday 15 October (Flat – British Champions’ Day)
Saturday 29 October (Jumps)
Friday 18 November (Jumps)
Saturday 19 November (Jumps)
Friday 16 December (Jumps)
Saturday 17 December (Jumps)

British Racing Unites to Create Richest-Ever Day from 2011

British Champions’ Day, the richest fixture in British racing history, will be introduced from 2011, offering more than £3 million of prize money, it was announced today.
Racing’s stakeholders have come together to create the major new day, which will be hosted at Ascot on 15 October 2011. British Champions’ Day will feature the Champion Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Diadem Stakes, Jockey Club Cup and Pride Stakes, as well as a high profile Handicap.
Ascot’s prime location and capacity are viewed as important to help set the stage for British racing to create a larger and more prestigious climax to the premier Flat season for three year olds and upwards. The long-term aim is for this event to rank with the USA’s Breeders’ Cup and France’s Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe.
The new event will be heavily marketed and is seen as a crucial step towards broadening the appeal of the sport in Britain, whilst also attracting audiences from around the world. British Champions’ Day will be the culmination of a series of races showcasing the best of British Flat racing throughout the season.
Britain already stages many of the world’s top Flat contests and this will be communicated more effectively to a wider public by branding them British Champions’ Series races. Other sports have proved that successfully differentiating and marketing premier events can transform their popularity, with the benefits felt by the whole sport, including increased attendances, betting revenues, sponsorship and media rights value.
The Series will launch on Saturday 30 April 2011 with the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course and climax with British Champions’ Day at Ascot. It will comprise five separate championship categories, namely Sprint, Mile, Middle Distance, Long Distance and Fillies and Mares[1], featuring six of the highest-rated races in each category to create easy-to-follow storylines for a wider audience.
With a total prize money pot of more than £13 million, British Champions’ Series will be staged at ten of the UK’s leading racecourses: Ascot, Doncaster, Epsom Downs, Goodwood, Haydock Park, Newbury, Newmarket’s July Course, Newmarket’s Rowley Mile, Sandown Park and York. It will encompass British racing’s key festivals, including the Guineas Festival at Newmarket, the Epsom Derby Festival, Royal Ascot, the Newmarket July Festival, Glorious Goodwood, the Ebor Festival at York and the Doncaster St Leger Meeting.
Karl Oliver, Chief Executive of British Champions’ Series Ltd, said:
“British racing is the best in the world, but we need to give our sport a major new platform to compete for the public’s attention. Britain’s richest-ever day of racing is the opportunity to attract the very best British and overseas horses to compete at our top international racecourse. It can be the autumn climax that British racing deserves.
“By also introducing a series framework, we can highlight and use the best races throughout the Flat season to engage a much wider audience in our sport. In time, British racing can be proud that it backed British Champions’ Series and British Champions’ Day.”
The British Champions’ Series has no bearing on the official start and end of the Flat racing season in the UK, with the Jockeys’ Championship and Trainers’ Championship still being awarded at Doncaster in November 2011.
Establishing British Champions’ Day and the British Champions’ Series
The highly complex and challenging process of establishing British Champions’ Series has seen a combined effort from a wide range of British racing’s stakeholders, led by the Racing for Change (RfC) industry group and the racecourses involved, supported by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the Racecourse Association (RCA) and The Horsemen’s Group, representing owners, trainers, breeders, jockeys and stable staff.
The race programme has required several fixtures to switch venue from their 2010 location and/or move into new slots. Achieving this has required unprecedented steps to be taken by The Jockey Club, Newmarket Racecourse and Ascot Racecourse in particular, in the best interests of British racing.
An extensive consultation process has been conducted throughout the formation stage of the project, with many prominent racehorse owners, trainers, breeders, racecourses, media companies, prospective commercial partners and racing authorities in the UK and abroad.
Future Champions’ Day unveiled
As part of reaching agreement for British Champions’ Series, Newmarket will host an annual Future Champions’ Day. This will help to identify racehorses with the potential to compete in the British Champions’ Series in the following year. Next year this will be hosted at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course on Saturday 8 October 2011 and feature the Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1), Middle Park Stakes (Group 1), Rockfel Stakes (Group 2) and Autumn Stakes (Group 3) for two-year-old horses, and the Challenge Stakes (Group 2), Darley Stakes (Group 3) and the Cesarewitch Heritage Handicap for three-year-olds and upwards.
Another aspect of the agreement will see Newmarket Annual Members benefit from a reciprocal arrangement with Ascot at British Champions’ Day and in return, Ascot’s Members will be welcomed at Newmarket on Future Champions’ Day.
Commercial structure and funding
A new company will be formed, British Champions’ Series Limited (BCS Ltd), to run the series and finale. The investors in the British Champions’ Series project are the BCS racecourses and REL, which will benefit from equity stakes reflecting their respective investments in the new company.
Karl Oliver, Project Director for Premier Racing at Racing Enterprises Ltd (REL), is appointed Chief Executive of BCS Ltd, effective immediately, having been central to its formation. Oliver will oversee the marketing and commercial rights associated with the new series. A robust business case for BCS Ltd through until 2018 has been established and has been endorsed by RfC, REL and the BCS racecourses.
The terrestrial broadcast rights to all races that will feature in British Champions’ Series are currently contracted to the BBC (11 races) and Channel 4 (19 races) through until 2012, with the exception of British Champions’ Day. BCS Ltd has already entered into discussions with its terrestrial broadcast partners about televising British Champions’ Day and in principle, both have expressed an interest to broadcast the fixture.
BCS Ltd has also entered into discussions with a number of prospective commercial partners to British Champions’ Series. A business plan is in place to evolve the series’ sponsorship model as its potential impact grows.
For further information please contact:
Karl Oliver, Chief Executive, British Champions’ Series, 020 7152 0192 / 07785 254 024
Nick Attenborough, Director of Consumer PR, Racing for Change, 020 7152 0193 / 07714 146 528
Scott Bowers, Group Director of Communications, The Jockey Club, 020 7611 1814 / 07809 665 840
Nick Smith, Head of Communications, Ascot Racecourse, 01344 878 524 / 07771 791 449
Rod Street, Chief Executive, Racing Enterprises Limited, 020 7152 0190 / 07584 171 252Selected endorsements for British Champions’ Series:Paul Roy, Chairman of the British Horseracing Authority, said:

“Our intention to create a new autumn highlight which will grow in stature in the international racing calendar was always an exciting project that we wished to progress within the boundaries of, and with the blessing of, the European Pattern Committee.

“The European Pattern has stood the test of time. European racing nations have worked together very effectively, as clearly demonstrated by the success of the top races within Europe and the volume of horses competing outside their home country.

“The Committee has undertaken a number of effective negotiations over the years, for example producing the enhanced programme for older fillies and mares in recent times, which has had significant success in keeping some quality horses in training; a clear example of the value of working together.

“We have the utmost respect for the European Pattern system, and the work of the Committee in upholding its integrity. We greatly appreciate the work of Committee Chairman Brian Kavanagh and the other members of the Committee in helping us to bring this project to fruition. The considerable goodwill amongst the individuals that sit around the Committee table has been evident and we are very grateful to them. Britain has listened to the Committee and acted responsibly throughout this process in order to promote the Pattern and all that it is there to achieve in the interests of European racing.”

Chris McFadden, Chairman of Racing Enterprises Ltd and Racing for Change, said:
“We believe strongly that British Champions’ Series and British Champions’ Day will enable us to tackle some of the key challenges facing British racing, including the declining Levy yield and share of the betting market, attendances, media rights and sponsorship value, terrestrial TV audiences and giving owners more reason to stay in the sport.
“Our new Flat racing finale will also give us a long-overdue alternative to the Arc and Breeders’ Cup. Seven of the top twelve most highly rated Flat races in the world take place in Britain so it seems unfair to get upstaged annually by overseas events.”
Simon Bazalgette, Chief Executive of The Jockey Club and Board Member of Racing for Change, said:
“A lot of hard work and some challenging decisions have gone into establishing the British Champions’ Series. Now we must use this platform to tell our sport’s brilliant stories and appeal to the public’s imagination. High drama, thrilling competition and big rewards; I firmly believe we are creating a catalyst for many more people to become captivated by our sport.”
Charles Barnett, Chief Executive of Ascot Racecourse, said:
“We are delighted to be hosting British Champions’ Day, which is the result of the whole racing family coming together to do what is best for the sport. The Champion Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at £1 million plus races have the platform to become the world’s premier turf events in the ten furlong and mile categories. We look forward to working with the BHA and our European partners to develop the Diadem, Pride and Jockey Club Cup into Group One events as soon as possible.
“We have worked with Newmarket for many years on several initiatives and the idea of a climax for the two-year-olds on the Rowley Mile and for the three-year-olds and upwards at Ascot has natural synergy. Newmarket is the home of racing and their part in this project is a perfect example of the innovation that they and The Jockey Club have shown throughout their long history in the sport. It is entirely appropriate that the Jockey Club Cup on British Champions Day reflects their full partnership in this venture.”Stephen Wallis, Managing Director of Newmarket Racecourses, said:
“Newmarket’s Board fully supports the creation of this major new platform for British racing. We have played a central role in this initiative from the outset in an effort to help create the best possible opportunity for the future of our sport, while preserving its heritage and securing a strong race programme for Newmarket.
“British Champions’ Series will launch on the Rowley Mile, where we will stage two further series races and two more on The July Course. These will be followed by Future Champions’ Day, which can become a focus of real excitement in the British racing calendar. It promises a superb climax to the premier two-year-old Flat season and is a fixture befitting the Home of Racing, where many future champions of our sport are bred and trained.
“We appreciate why some people would rather the Champion Stakes remained in Newmarket, but I also hope they will recognise it is now part of a shared industry day that will help build the profile and finances of the sport we hold so dear.”
Nic Coward, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority, said:
“The Authority was set up to bring the sport together and lead on the major issues. Racing is changing, and today’s announcement is another significant step. The new series and the new British Champions Day will showcase the phenomenal excitement of great Racing on the sport’s greatest stages. This is one important element of how we are changing the fixture list, and how it is put together.”
Frankie Dettori, said:
"This is one of the toughest periods that British Horseracing will ever have to face. Our racing is the best in the world and Ascot is a world class venue at any level so it is fantastic that the industry is doing everything to help itself at this time. I congratulate everyone involved and look forward to racing at a world class event at my favourite track! This will equal The Melbourne Cup, The Breeders Cup and The World Cup in Dubai who have all led the way over the years with high class events."
Wilf Walsh, Non-Executive Director, Gala Coral Group, said:
“British flat racing needs a clear structure and a world class finale worthy of the sport and the BCS provides the ideal template going forward.”
Chris Palmer, Corporate Development Director, Ladbrokes, said:
“We are supportive of any initiative that increases the profile of the sport and can lead to increased revenues for all concerned.”
Nigel Payne, Chief Executive of the Horseracing Sponsors Association, said:
"Racing has eagerly awaited these details and we should not be at all disappointed. Here is a great opportunity to attract some Blue Chip partners and sponsors to our sport. Major sporting spectacles such as The Champions League and Formula 1 market themselves in this way and racing must be confident that we can do the same throughout the many media platforms available to us."
Professor Simon Chadwick, Founder and Director of the Centre for the International Business of Sport, said:
“Horseracing is actually an extremely well attended sport in the UK, but other sports have been quicker to modernise and make themselves relevant to a younger audience. In my view, establishing British Champions’ Series is exactly what British horseracing needs to propel it into the consciousness of today’s sports fans and sponsors, both domestically and internationally.”
Lord Grimthorpe, Racing Manager to His Highness Prince Khalid Abdullah and Juddmonte Farms, said:

"Racing needs to do something significant to re-engage the public. We have a wonderful sport and British racing is the best in the world. British Champions' Series will use our highest quality racing to inspire new followers, attract commercial partners and increase media rights. This is the right move for our sport."

Tony Kelly, Managing Director, Northern Racing, said:

“Racing needs to reach a bigger audience and there is sense in using the sport's key moments to to do. The fact that racing's key stakeholders have agreed upon a roadmap for the future to help achieve this is notable.”
The British Champions’ Series: Five Separate Champion Categories
Sprint
Temple Stakes
King’s Stand Stakes
Golden Jubilee Stakes
July Cup
Nunthorpe Stakes
Sprint Cup
Mile
2000 Guineas Stakes
Lockinge Stakes
St James’s Palace Stakes
Queen Anne Stakes
Sussex Stakes
Joel Stakes
Middle Distance
Coronation Cup
Derby
Prince of Wales’s Stakes
Eclipse
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes
International Stakes
Fillies & Mares
1000 Guineas Stakes
Oaks
Coronation Stakes
Falmouth Stakes
Nassau Stakes
Yorkshire Oaks
Long Distance
Yorkshire Cup
Gold Cup
Goodwood Cup
Lonsdale Cup
Doncaster Cup
St Leger Stakes

Racing for Change is an initiative created by Racing Enterprises Ltd, the commercial arm of British horseracing. The Racing for Change board features all of the sport's key organisations and includes not only representation from the racecourses and the participants, but also the Horserace Betting Levy Board and the British Horseracing Authority, the bodies with responsibility for funding, governance and regulation. www.racingforchange.co.uk

Preview of the 2010 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, sponsored by Sony.

Johnny Murtagh and Rip Van Winkle following their victory in the 2009 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by Sony) is Europe’s championship race over one mile and presents the perfect opportunity for the brilliant three-year-old colt, Makfi, to crown his outstanding season in style.
Trained in France by Mikel Delzangles, Makfi may have only raced five times to date, but he has already left an indelible impression by winning four of those races in deeply impressive style, including a decisive victory in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May.
His only defeat came here in the St James’s Palace Stakes at the Royal Meeting in June when he was found to be sick afterwards. He returned to the track at Deauville two months later in France’s premier mile race, the Prix Jacques Le Marois, where he defeated the outstanding mare Goldikova with a scintillating display.
If he can repeat that performance this afternoon, Christophe Soumillon’s mount will surely land the £150,000 first prize and see his name added to the race’s glittering roll of honour, where he would join his illustrious grandsire, Dubai Millennium.
His main opponent is last year’s winner, Rip Van Winkle. The top class, Aidan O’Brien-trained four-year-old has already taken the Juddmonte International at York this season and Ascot’s stiff mile suits him well. Johnny Murtagh, who has won five races on him, will be looking to exploit any chinks in Makfi’s armour.
Frankie Dettori’s mount, Poet’s Voice, has been improving steadily and could pose a threat, while Beethoven, Hearts of Fire, Red Jazz, Bushman and Air Chief Marshall are all talented colts in their own right.
Makfi is a very worthy favourite but he will be thoroughly tested, as one would expect in the outstanding mile race of the European season for which the winner earns automatic entry to the top mile race in the USA, the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Churchill Downs on 6 November.
“Win and You’re In” is the title of that promotion. “Win and you’re Europe’s champion miler” is what’s at stake for Makfi.