How To Prepare For British Champion’s Day

British Champion’s Day is approaching; here’s how to get maximum enjoyment from it

The leaves are turning, and the nights are drawing in. For most equestrians, the thought of dark mornings mucking out and mud-caked horses are setting in. However, for those involved in the racing world, there’s one thing on everybody’s mind, British Champion’s Day.

Held at Ascot since 2011, this race day is the culmination of the flat racing season, bringing together some of the finest names in the industry to battle it out for some of the biggest prizes. This race day is one of the richest on the calendar, with a total prize pool of more than £4 million this year.

If you’re planning to attend the event, we’ve got the lowdown on ensuring you’re properly prepared for what promises to be an extraordinary day of racing.

Curate Your Wardrobe

Although it doesn’t receive quite the same level of attention as Lady’s Day during the Summer, any big meeting at Ascot is always an excellent excuse to get dressed up. Before you whip out your best cocktail dress and fascinator, though, bear in mind that by midway through October, things will likely be getting a little chilly.

There’ll be plenty of cut in the ground, so investing in a nifty pair of turf stoppers will help to save your stiletto heels. Making a statement coat and perhaps a matching umbrella the focus of your outfit is a stylish way to ensure that you always look glamorous, even if nobody gets to see your outfit underneath. Nobody wants to spend the day shivering after all!

Prepare Your Itinerary

With your wardrobe sorted, it’s time to enjoy the big day. The gates are set to open at 10:45, so you’ve got plenty of time to familiarise yourself with the track.

Take a wander around the course, note where the parade rings, winners enclosure, grandstand, and the nearest toilets. Once you’ve got your bearings, grab yourself some refreshments and await the first race.

Proceedings kick off at 1:25 with the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup. It’s is the only Group 2 race of the day, being run over a considerable distance of 2 miles, with the winners taking home their share of half a million pounds.

Next up is the Sprint Stakes, the first Group 1 of the day and the shortest race at a sprinting distance of just 6 furlongs. Again, the winners of this race will be sharing half a million between them. The Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes are next at a mile and 4 furlongs, with half a million to share.

This is followed by the hugely prestigious and immensely competitive Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, at a distance of a mile and 2 furlongs, with a prize pool of 1.1 million.

The last major race of the day is the QIPCO Champion Stakes, the richest race with its prize pool of 1.2 million, run over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs.

The day rounds off with the Balmoral Handicap, a race that’s always competitive for horses that aren’t generally Group racers yet. After the last race, at about 4:30, it’s time to head home for the evening.

Study That Form

Being able to spot the signs of a fit and healthy horse will help when choosing winners

Whether you’re betting on the racing or not, familiarising yourself with the horse racing racecards for the day is a good idea. You’ll be able to check if you have any favourite horses or jockeys running, as well as find out the runners’ form.

Looking into which horses have come up against each other is a great way to rule out potential contenders. You can find racecards online several days beforehand if you want to study form, or you can wait until the day to pick your winners.

As well as studying form, there’s not enough to be said for getting a good look at each horse in the parade ring. Those with an equestrian background will be at an immediate advantage in paddock judging, as all horse owners should know the signs of a fit horse.

Good muscle tone, spot-on weight, shiny eyes and coat, and an alert but not anxious expression are all signs of a potential winner.

If you’re visiting the races with friends from your livery yard, you could even have a competition to see who has the best paddock judging skills.