QIPCO British Champions Day Champion Stakes: Last 5 Winners

The richest race of QIPCO British Champions Day will return to Ascot Racecourse in October, and here we look at the last five winners.

The return of the much-anticipated QIPCO British Champions Day to the iconic and historic Ascot Racecourse is edging ever closer, with the enthralling day of racing set to take place on Saturday, 17th October 2026.

Over the course of the day, there will be 7 races, which are as follows: the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (13:20), the QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes (13:55), the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (14:35), the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (15:15), the QIPCO Champion Stakes (15:55), and finally the Balmoral Handicap (16:35).

Amongst the highest profile races on the day is the Champion Stakes, with the prize money on offer for the winner standing at £803,864 – the most of any race on Champions Day this year.

The record for the most successful horse of all time in the Champion Stakes is currently Tristan, who emerged victorious three times in the 1880s, doing so in 1882, 1883, and 1884.

In terms of jockeys, two currently hold the joint record for the most wins in this race across their respective careers to date, with 6 – Danny Maher and Charlie Elliott. Starting with Maher, his wins came with Osboch (1901), Pretty Polly (1905), Polymelus (1906), Llangwm (1908), Bayardo (1909), and Lemberg (1910).

As for Elliott, his victories in this highly prestigious race came with Ellangowan (1923), Asterus (1927), Goyescas (1931), Djeddah (1949), and Dynamiter (1951, 1952).

Alec Taylor Jr was a trainer who had a lot of success in the Champion Stakes, winning it 8 times during his career. Sceptre (1903), Bayardo (1909), Lemberg (1910, 1911), Gay Crusader (1917), My Dear (1918), Buchan (1919), and Picaroon (1925).

Here, we are going to take a look back at the five most recent winners of the highly prestigious Champion Stakes on British Champions Day.

Sealiway (2021)

Highlights (via At The Races on YouTube):

It was Sealiway who crossed the line first, winning the Champion Stakes on British Champions Day in 2021. Some pressure was felt on the leader towards the end from Dubai Honour, who in the end had to settle for a second-place finish, whilst Mac Swiney came in third place. Pre-race favourite Mishriff came outside of the top three in fourth overall.

This was the first-ever victory in this race for both Jockey Mickael Barzalona and Trainer Cedric Rossi.

Bay Bridge (2022)

Highlights (via Racing TV on YouTube):

Rewinding to the Champion Stakes race at Ascot from 2022, it was Bay Bridge who came out on top in this highly prestigious race that year. It was an intense race, with this tight victory coming just ahead of runner-up Adayar, with My Prospero settling for a third-place finish overall.

Pre-race favourite Baaeed did not quite live up to expectations in this edition of the Champion Stakes, coming in fourth.

King of Steel (2023)

Highlights (via ITV Racing on YouTube):

The 2023 winner of the prestigious Champion Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse was King of Steel, with the expectations of being the pre-race favourite very much being met. Iconic Jockey Frankie Dettori rode King Of Steel to victory, which was the Italian’s third career win in this race after having done so with Cracksman in two consecutive years in 2017 and 2018.

The runner-up from the 2023 race was Oisin Murphy’s Via Sistina, whilst it was 2021 Winner Mikael Barzalona on board Horizon Dore who came third.

Anmaat (2024)

Highlights (via ITV Racing on YouTube)

Owen Burrows caused a huge upset in 2024 after riding 40/1 longshot Anmaat across the line first in the Champion Stakes. The pre-race favourite Calandagan closely followed, with third-placed Royal Rhyme just behind.

This is still Anmaat’s most recent victory, finishing second in his last three outings.

Calandagan (2025)

Highlights (via ITV Racing on YouTube)

Despite missing out in 2024, Calandagan came roaring back to take victory in last year’s Champion Stakes, beating pre-race favourite Ombudsman by 2 furlongs.

Calandagan has gone on to win every race start since and heads into the 2026 season in sublime form.

Excitement and anticipation are building rapidly not only ahead of the return of the Champion Stakes, but also the 2026 renewal of the QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse as a whole. The day will bring with it some enthralling racing, together with a simply sensational atmosphere at one of the country’s most revered racecourses.

There is no better way to experience world-class horse racing at Ascot Racecourse than with an Eventmasters VIP Hospitality Package. Contact us on 020 7989 6500, or via the form below. Book now to avoid disappointment!