Previously run at Newmarket as the Pride Stakes, the Champions Fillies’ & Mares’ Stakes gives female horses an opportunity to showcase their talents. Although females are eligible for all of the other races on Qipco British Champions Day, this race allows for them to come together and prove they are the best of their gender.
Length of the race – One mile and four furlongs
Where to watch – RTV and ITV.
When to watch – Saturday, October 19 at 2.40pm.
Prize-money – The race is worth £550,000 with £311,905 going to the winner.
Course – The race is run at Ascot racecourse.
Race type – Group 1.
Weights –Three-year-olds carry 8st 13lb, horses aged four and older carry 9st 5lb.
Ages – The race is open to fillies and mares aged three and older.
Sponsor – Qipco have sponsored the race since 2011.
Previous Winners
| wdt_ID | Year | Horse | Form | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2018 | Magical | 44-4140 | 3 | 5-1 | Aidan O'Brien | Ryan Moore |
| 3 | 2017 | Hydrangea | 033412 | 3 | 4-1 | Aidan O'Brien | Ryan Moore |
| 4 | 2016 | Journey | 112-311 | 4 | 4-1 | John Gosden | Frankie Dettori |
| 5 | 2015 | Simple Verse | 312111 | 3 | 5-1 | Ralph Beckett | Andrea Atzeni |
| 6 | 2014 | Madame Chiang | 1-106 | 3 | 12-1 | David Simcock | Jim Crowley |
| 7 | 2013 | Seal Of Approval | 21-11F | 4 | 16-1 | James Fanshawe | George Baker |
| 8 | 2012 | Sapphire | 321-121 | 4 | 5-2j | Dermot Weld | Pat Smullen |
| 9 | 2011 | Dancing Rain | 2-12151 | 3 | 6-1 | William Haggas | Johnny Murtagh |
| 10 | 2010 | Crystal Capella | 111-152 | 5 | 4-1C | Sir Michael Stoute | Ryan Moore |
| 11 | 2009 | Ashalanda | 112 | 3 | 11-2 | Alain de Royer-Dupré | Christophe Lemaire |
Key trials
The Nassau Stakes at Goodwood is a key trial, run over two furlongs shorter, while the Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks are all useful trials over the same distance as this race. Against the males, horses come from the King George VI Stakes and the Eclipse at Sandown.
What happened last year?
Magical confirmed herself as one of the finest fillies around when she won her first Group 1 by a length to the fast-finishing Coronet. Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-old was mid-pack the whole way round before a gap opened up after the home turn and she burst through it. Evens favourite Lah Ti Dar couldn’t stay with her and eventually finished third.
Where can I get Champions Day tickets?
Champions Day tickets can be purchased from the Ascot website here.
