16.05
GoodQipco Champion Stakes (Group 1)
- Prize money: £803864.25
- 1m 1f 212y
- Class 1
- 11 runners
Runners: 11 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
5/2 (Won)
- Win: £3.40
- Place: £1.25
Form: 2-2211 C
Last run: 84 days
W: 9st 7lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 125
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 2 (2) |
6th Jun 2026 Good To Soft 1m 4f 6y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Superstar gelding who has a record of 222211111 since racing at Group 1 level and is the highest-rated racehorse in the world; couldn't quite get past Jan Brueghel in this race last year but turned the tables in the King George and is on an impressive roll going into another rematch with that rival; prevailed at Meydan (Sheema Classic) last time despite the race not panning out ideally; duly strongly respected, assuming the ground is okay (not certain to run if it's a slog scenario). |
10/11 |
|
1st 2 (7) |
18th Oct 2025 Good 1m 1f 212y Class 1 |
9st 7lb |
French gelding who has a record of 222211 since upped to Group 1 level, latest win coming in the King George at Ascot (1m4f, good); went down by only half a length when favourite for this race 12 months ago (soft) on last 1m2f attempt; major contender, especially if getting a strong pace to aim at. |
5/2 |
13/8
- Place: £1.20
Form: 1-2121 CD
Last run: 59 days
W: 9st 7lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 128
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 6 (8) |
17th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 1m 1f 212y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Won this by 2l last year (good to firm) and he's added two further Group 1 wins since; confirmed his wellbeing when defying a penalty in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard at Sandown (1m2f, good) three weeks ago following a two-month break; this is a tougher line-up than 12 months ago and he was runner-up to Daryz's stablemate Calandagan in the Champion Stakes over C&D (good) last October, so he's not bombproof, but he has extremely strong credentials. |
11/8 |
|
1st 1 (5) |
28th May 2026 Good 1m 1f 209y Class 1 |
9st 9lb |
Second in this last year on his reappearance and he's won three Group 1 races since (1m2f/1m1f, good to firm/good), the latest the Dubai Turf at Meydan in March on his sole outing this year; John Gosden has said that this is "going to bring him on to where we want him at (Royal) Ascot" but he'll be very tough to beat under a 7lb penalty if close to the top of his game. |
8/11 |
20/1
- Place: £5.20
Form: 2-3123 D
Last run: 41 days
W: 9st 7lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 1 (1) |
17th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 1m 1f 212y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Last season concluded with fine third in the Champion Stakes over C&D (good; about 2l behind runner-up Ombudsman) and this 5yo looked better than ever when winning the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh (10.5f, good) on his reappearance, with subsequent Coronation Cup winner Bay City Roller 2l back in second and a disappointing Minnie Hauk in fifth; today's company is even hotter but he might not be far away if the fast ground isn't an issue. |
11/2 |
|
1st 1 (7) |
24th May 2026 Good To Yielding 1m 2f 110y |
9st 5lb |
Closest to Minnie Hauk on ratings, although that rival has the benefit of race-fitness and a fillies allowance; made all to beat subsequent three-time Group 1 winner Ombudsman at Sandown (1m2f, good) last season but had the benefit of a run; good placed efforts in Group 2s at York (10.5f, good) and Longchamp (1m4f, good to soft); signed off last term with a cracking run to take third in a Group 1 at Ascot on Champions Day (1m2f, good); there is likely more to come to this term from the British raider. |
5/1 |
3/1
Form: 119121 D
Last run: 35 days
W: 9st 3lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 126
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 9 (4) |
18th Oct 2025 Good 1m 1f 212y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Ballydoyle colt who is progressive in the main; justified favouritism in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown (good to yielding) most recently, taking his form figures over 1m2f to 11121 and overall strike-rate to 6-11; unable to match Ombudsman's late acceleration in the International but had got up late on to collar that rival in the Eclipse and is set for another gripping rematch. |
3/1 |
|
1st 5 (8) |
13th Sep 2025 Soft 1m 2f 0y |
9st 3lb |
Won two Derby trials over C&D and bounced back from Epsom failure to win the Eclipse at Sandown (1m2f, good to firm); deserved much credit for overhauling Ombudsman late on, having found trouble in running in the straight; beaten by the same top-class rival at York; reputation largely restored all the same; major player for stable denied six in a row in this last year. |
10/11 |
|
2nd 6 (3) |
20th Aug 2025 Good To Firm 1m 2f 56y Class 1 |
9st 1lb |
Won two Derby trials this spring and bounced back from Derby disappointment to win the Group 1 Eclipse at Sandown (1m2f, good to firm) last month; he deserves immense credit for overhauling Ombudsman late on last time having found trouble in running in the straight and got behind, and it was a performance that suggests he could take plenty of beating today. |
15/8 |
20/1
Form: -23111 D
Last run: 14 days
W: 9st 7lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 4 (5) |
18th Oct 2025 Good 1m 1f 212y Class 1 |
9st 7lb |
Supplemented for this race at a cost of £75,000; French 4yo who has completed a hat-trick with Listed, Group 3 and Group 2 wins, latest at Longchamp (1m2f, very soft) two weeks ago; faces a stiffer assignment in this field but could acquit himself well, being in the form of his life. |
20/1 |
|
4th 5 (3) |
20th Jun 2024 Good To Firm 1m 1f 212y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Has improved with each of his five starts, finishing second in Group 3 Prix de Guiche at Chantilly (1m1f, good to soft) last month then occupying the same position in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club there (10.5f, heavy); that latest performance makes this French challenger a key player today. |
9/2 |
20/1
Form: 4-1611 D
Last run: 78 days
W: 9st 7lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 116
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 5 (2) |
18th Oct 2025 Good 1m 1f 212y Class 1 |
9st 7lb |
Record of 3-4 this season for new stable includes two wins in major handicaps; took his form to an even higher level with impressive performance in a conditions race at Glorious Goodwood (1m1f, good to soft) on last appearance; one of two Andrew Balding-trained runners who are going into deeper waters but may be capable of further improvement. |
20/1 |
|
1st 3 (9) |
1st Aug 2025 Good 1m 1f 11y Class 2 |
9st 10lb |
Won in style at Newmarket (1m1f) in May, first home in the centre group in the Royal Hunt Cup (1m) in June and tidy winner of the valuable John Smith's Cup at York (1m2f) three weeks ago; more to prove on ground softer than good, which he tried four times in previous seasons; going great guns but needs markedly better form to upstage all of today's rivals. |
11/2 |
|
8 (19) |
12th Jul 2025 Good 1m 2f 56y Class 2 |
9st 4lb |
Won over 1m2f for Sir Michael Stoute and scored in style on his stable and seasonal debut at Newmarket (1m1f, good) in May; first home in the centre group when sixth of 30 in the Royal Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) last month and he could have more to offer now back up in trip; interesting contender for connections who won this in 2019 and 2021. |
9/1 |
125/1
Form: -64041 D
Last run: 37 days
W: 9st 3lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 109
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 4 (4) |
17th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 1m 1f 212y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
He was the pacemaker for stablemate Ombudsman in the Champion Stakes over C&D last October, when seventh of 11 at 66-1, and that's set to be his role again this afternoon. |
100/1 |
|
4th 2 (3) |
24th Apr 2026 Good 1m 1f 209y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Highlight last season was a very useful performance in 1m2f handicap at Doncaster, suggesting he's verging on Group class; creditable second, despite usual cheekpieces being removed, in AW Listed event at Kempton on reappearance; possibilities with the headgear back on. |
7/2 |
11/1
Form: 11116- D
Last run: 364 days
W: 9st 7lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 123
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 3 (10) |
18th Oct 2025 Good 1m 1f 212y Class 1 |
9st 7lb |
Absent since performing below expectations in this contest on soft ground last year when he bled from the nose; highly progressive otherwise and justified favouritism in the Irish Champion Stakes (1m2f, good) the time before, completing a four-timer; his belated return to action adds great interest. |
11/1 |
|
6th 8 (6) |
19th Oct 2024 Soft 1m 2f 0y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Impressive Dante winner who is one of the rising stars of the season; proved game in a thrilling Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown most recently, taking record over 1m2f to 3-3 (all on good going) and overall record to 4-5; showed promise in heavy-ground contest on sole 2yo start; very progressive and promises to rate higher still; strongly respected. |
15/8 |
|
1st 5 (8) |
14th Sep 2024 Good 1m 2f 0y |
9st 3lb |
midfield on outer, disputing fourth halfway, pushed along over 2f out, challenging 1f out, ridden and led narrowly final 110yds, kept on well towards finish |
6/4 |
14/1
Form: 41-11 D
Last run: 28 days
W: 9st 3lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 (5) |
9th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 4f 0y Class 1 |
9st 8lb |
Three wins from his first four starts, with a soft-ground Listed success at Ayr (1m2f) last September standing out in form terms; respectable third to top-class Ombudsman at Sandown six weeks ago was easily the best of three runs since, all at 1m2f on good ground (unraced on firmer); he needs to return to peak form and to stay a new trip, so others look far more solid. |
7/1 |
|
3rd 2 (2) |
28th May 2026 Good 1m 1f 209y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Three wins (1m-1m2f, soft/good to soft) from his first four starts, including two Listed races; his progress has stalled on good going on his two starts since but one was the Group 1 Champion Stakes and the other was last month's reappearance (here); it's too soon to label him a slow-ground specialist and he's not written off in view of his abundant earlier promise. |
15/2 |
100/1
Form: -54554 D
Last run: 22 days
W: 9st 7lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 107
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 5 (4) |
15th Apr 2026 Good 1m 1f 0y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Announced himself when winning Group 2 here (1m, soft) in September 2024 but 0-8 since and he's become a little tricky to place; had wind surgery in December, which might help, but he's at the bottom of the list on RPRs. |
16/1 |
|
5th 5 (4) |
29th Oct 2025 Soft 1m 0f 75y Class 1 |
9st 4lb |
Group 2 winner (1m, soft) last autumn; has failed to repeat that form but none of his 2025 races (80-1 in the Champion Stakes 11 days ago) were on softer than good, so he could be of renewed interest. |
5/1 |
|
5th 5 (4) |
29th Oct 2025 Soft 1m 0f 75y Class 1 |
9st 4lb |
Group 2 winner (1m, soft) last autumn; has failed to repeat that form but none of his 2025 races (80-1 in the Champion Stakes 11 days ago) were on softer than good, so he could be of renewed interest. |
5/1 |
150/1
Form: 2-3168 D
Last run: 35 days
W: 9st 3lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 108
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 11 (8) |
18th Oct 2025 Good 1m 1f 212y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Winner of the Dee Stakes (Listed) but relegated to pacemaking duties for stablemate Delacroix in the Irish Champion Stakes most recently, eventually dropping away to finish last; seemingly set to adopt the same role, as is Devil's Advocate for Ombudsman. |
150/1 |
|
8th 7 (4) |
13th Sep 2025 Soft 1m 2f 0y |
9st 3lb |
Dee Stakes winner; inconclusive run in the Great Voltigeur, supporting role here. |
66/1 |
|
6th 5 (2) |
20th Aug 2025 Good To Firm 1m 3f 188y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Progressive as 2yo and he resumed that improvement when winning the Listed Dee Stakes over Chester's extended 1m2f (on good ground) in May, passing five of his six rivals in the last 2f to get up in the nick of time; raced a bit freely that day and still looked open to improvement but he's not been seen since. |
16/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £6.70 |
| Straight Forecast | £4.87 |
| Tricast | £56.69 |
| Trifecta | £65.10 |
Selections
The Star:
CalandaganDaily Record:
Calandagan