Quick Read
- Ombudsman, Calandagan, and Delacroix headline the Champion Stakes on Ascot’s British Champions Day.
- Ombudsman is the world’s top-rated turf horse, aiming for a second major Ascot victory.
- Delacroix contests his last race before retiring to stud, having recently beaten Ombudsman.
- Kalpana, Kind Of Blue, and Fallen Angel are among favourites in supporting Group 1 races.
- Ascot Champions Day concludes the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, with global implications.
British Champions Day at Ascot is no ordinary fixture—it’s the grand finale of the European flat racing season, where months of rivalry, triumph, and heartbreak culminate in an unforgettable showcase of elite equine talent. On October 18, 2025, the iconic Berkshire course buzzed with anticipation as fans, trainers, and owners assembled for a seven-race card packed with high stakes and higher hopes. But at the heart of it all was the Qipco Champion Stakes, a contest set to crown not just the day’s champion, but potentially the year’s most exceptional horse.
Ombudsman, Calandagan, Delacroix: Who Will Claim the Crown?
The Champion Stakes (16:05) boasted a field as deep as any in recent memory. Three names towered above the rest: Ombudsman, Calandagan, and Delacroix—each with form, pedigree, and storylines that could fill volumes.
Ombudsman, trained by John and Thady Gosden, entered as the world’s top-rated turf horse, according to the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings (BloodHorse). His victories this year in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot and the Juddmonte International at York have cemented his reputation, and with William Buick in the irons, the Godolphin star looked primed for another big run. Notably, his journey to this race involved deliberate planning—Gosden skipped the Irish Champions Stakes to freshen Ombudsman for this pivotal clash, with a possible trip to the Breeders’ Cup Turf and even the Japan Cup on the horizon.
Delacroix, trained by Aidan O’Brien and set to retire to Coolmore Stud after this race, brought his own glittering resume. He bested Ombudsman in the Eclipse at Sandown and recently claimed the Irish Champion Stakes, showcasing both tactical speed and staying power. For the Coolmore connections, this was more than a race—it was a chance to send their colt off in style, enhancing his legacy and future value.
Calandagan, the Arc-winning partnership of Francis-Henri Graffard and Mickael Barzalona, represented the Aga Khan Studs. Second in last year’s Champion Stakes and fresh off a King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes win at Ascot, he dropped back to 10 furlongs—a move many saw as calculated for maximum effect. Could this be the year he goes one better?
With odds reflecting the high regard for all three—Ombudsman as the favourite at 13/8, Calandagan close behind at 11/4, and Delacroix at 10/3 (via Metro)—the betting underscored just how competitive this renewal truly was.
From Sprint to Stamina: Champions Day’s Supporting Cast
While the Champion Stakes drew the spotlight, the undercard was anything but an afterthought. The day kicked off with the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup (12:55), where Trawlerman sought redemption and a second crown, challenged by Sweet William and the track-loving Al Qareem.
The Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes (13:30) debuted this year, offering a glimpse at future stars. Words Of Truth was the hot favourite, but Siren Suit, Division, and a deep field threatened an upset, reminding punters that juvenile form can be unpredictable.
Sprint fans found their fix at 14:05 with the British Champions Sprint Stakes. Last year’s hero Kind Of Blue returned to defend his title, facing 19 rivals in a race marked by unpredictable pace and split-second decisions. Lazzat, the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Stakes winner, and Big Mojo, the Haydock Sprint Cup victor, added further intrigue. Montassib, tipped by The Independent and others for each-way value, was fresh and well-suited by conditions, making him a sleeper in a wide-open contest.
At 14:45, the Fillies & Mares Stakes lined up a competitive field. Kalpana, last year’s winner, was the ante-post favourite, her form stamped by a one-length second to Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Yet, three-year-olds had dominated recent renewals, and WEMIGHTAKEDLONGWAY, trained by Joseph O’Brien, represented the Classic generation’s hopes. Estrange and Waardah also held strong claims, while Quisisiana looked to bounce back from Arc disappointment.
The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (15:25) showcased Field Of Gold, the joint-second best horse in the world, aiming to reclaim his reputation after a lacklustre Goodwood. Fallen Angel, a five-time Group 1 winner, arrived off a career-best in the Sun Chariot Stakes, while Rosallion, a consistent performer, sought overdue glory. Docklands, who edged Rosallion in the Queen Anne, and in-form runners like Never So Brave and The Lion In Winter, ensured the contest was anything but straightforward.
The day closed with the Balmoral Handicap (16:40), where Native Warrior carried a penalty and Crown Of Oaks, Arisaig, and others vied for late-season honors.
International Implications: Eyes on the Breeders’ Cup
The Champion Stakes is more than a domestic event; it’s the crescendo of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, where automatic berths to California’s world championships await. Ombudsman, by virtue of his prior wins, already has two tickets to the Breeders’ Cup, though connections are expected to target the Turf rather than the Classic, given his preference for grass. Delacroix, meanwhile, is set to retire after this race, leaving his mark on both sides of the Channel.
Recent history shows that Ascot’s stars sometimes travel—but not always with resounding success. In 2024, Content ran sixth in the Filly and Mare Turf, while Wingspan finished fifth against older males. The year prior, King of Steel and Broome struggled at Santa Anita. For trainers like Gosden and O’Brien, the decision to ship depends on form, recovery, and the relentless schedule that leaves little room for error.
Beyond the big names, the day’s results will ripple through breeding valuations, international rankings, and the ambitions of owners eyeing global glory. Success at Ascot can open doors to careers at stud, invitations to far-flung races, and a place in racing’s folklore.
Ascot’s Enduring Appeal: Tradition Meets Drama
Why does Champions Day matter so much? Ascot is where history is made—where the best meet the best, and reputations are forged or shattered in the shadow of the grandstand. The 2025 edition delivered storylines worthy of the occasion: Ombudsman’s pursuit of greatness, Delacroix’s swan song, Calandagan’s quest for redemption, and a supporting cast packed with ambition.
From the opening Long Distance Cup to the final Balmoral Handicap, every race carried its own drama, its own promise, and its own lesson about the thin margins that separate triumph from disappointment. The crowds, the bookmakers, the trainers—all played their part in a day that will linger in memory long after the horses have cooled down.
Champions Day 2025 at Ascot was a vivid illustration of what makes horse racing compelling: world-class athletes, strategic gambles, and the relentless search for glory. Whether Ombudsman claims the crown or another hero emerges, the event’s legacy will shape the season’s final narrative and set the stage for international ambitions.