The tension is palpable at Ascot this Saturday as two of Europe’s finest turf stars, Ombudsman (IRE) and Delacroix (IRE), prepare to clash in the QIPCO Champion Stakes (G1). Beyond the glory of British Champions Day, the victor earns an automatic berth in the $5 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) at Del Mar, California, making this duel a pivotal step toward international fame.
For trainer John Gosden and Godolphin, the stakes could not be higher. Ombudsman, a 4-year-old son of Night Of Thunder (IRE), has been dazzling fans with a series of authoritative wins, including the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) and the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1). “Once again, Ombudsman displayed a phenomenal turn of foot in the last furlong to win by 3 1/2 lengths,” Gosden remarked. “He will now be freshened up for an autumn campaign targeting the Champion Stakes, the Breeders’ Cup, and the Japan Cup.”
The Irish challenger Delacroix, a 3-year-old Dubawi (IRE) colt trained by Aidan O’Brien, brings his own aura of invincibility. After defeating Ombudsman in the Coral Eclipse Stakes (G1) at Sandown in July, he went on to triumph in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (G1) in September. Both horses, among 11 declared runners, are chasing their third Group 1 victories of the season. Godolphin has even supplemented stablemate Devil’s Advocate (GB) as a pacemaker for £75,000, underscoring the importance of pace in this high-stakes battle.
Adding to the star-studded field, French raider Calandagan (IRE) from the Aga Khan Stud, winner of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1), arrives with strong credentials. Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard is optimistic: “I think it’s fantastic for racing to see all of them competing. At 1 1/2 miles, he’s fantastic and very fresh. I’m really looking forward to challenging the other two.”
Other notable entries include Economics (GB), returning after last year’s sixth-place finish; Almaqam (GB), the Ed Walker-trained 4-year-old who has previously beaten Ombudsman; and rising star Almeric (GB), who has shown back-to-back wins this season. Completing the line-up are First Look (IRE), Fox Legacy (GB), Prague (IRE), and Mount Kilimanjaro (FR).
Beyond prize money and prestige, the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series offers a significant incentive: the winner of the QIPCO Champion Stakes will have entry fees covered for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) and receive a travel allowance if based outside North America. Pre-entry by October 20 is required to secure these benefits, making Saturday’s clash more than just a European showdown—it is a gateway to the world stage.
Read the full QIPCO Champion Stakes preview on RaceBuzz.
