Looking Ahead to QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot.

The epic grand finale of the flat racing season at the iconic Ascot Racecourse is edging closer, with the action set to get underway in October 2026

The epic grand finale of the flat racing season at the iconic Ascot Racecourse is edging ever closer, with the action set to get underway in October 2026.

All eyes will be on the historic Ascot Racecourse when the 2026 edition of the long-awaited and highly prestigious QIPCO British Champions Day, also known as Ascot Champions Day, takes place once more at this iconic venue on Saturday, 17th October 2026.

Gates will open at 10:30am, with the first race of an action-packed day set to get underway at 12:55pm. The action will then come to a close with the final race at 4:40pm.

With the prize money for all of the races amounting to £4.35m overall, this is officially the richest British race day. This event will also feature some of the best horses and jockeys competing, with a number of Group 1 contests for all in attendance to enjoy throughout the day.

Just like the most recent Champions Day in 2025, there will be 6 races across the afternoon in 2026. They are as follows: QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 2, 12:55pm), QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes (Group 1, 14:05pm), QIPCO British Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1, 14:45pm), Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO (Group 1, 15:25pm), QIPCO Champion Stakes (Group 1, 16:05pm), and finally the Balmoral Handicap Stakes Sponsored by QIPCO (Group 2, 16:40pm).

Below are the highlights of all of the races from last year’s Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse (via Ascot Racecourse on YouTube):

Here, we are taking a look at the races to come on Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse this October.

QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 2) – 12:55pm

As ever, the Long Distance Cup will be the race to get the afternoon’s racing underway at Ascot this year. It is open to horses aged 3 or older and run over approximately 2 miles. The prize money on offer to the winner of this race this year is set to be no less than £500,000.

The most recent winner of the Long Distance Cup back in 2023 was Trawlerman, who was ridden by iconic Jockey Frankie Dettori. After an enthralling and highly competitive race, the Italian was able to beat runner-up Ryan Moore on board Kyprios to the win by the narrowest of margins. Robert Havlin and Sweet William came in third.

QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes (Group 1) – 12:55pm

Next up will be the 2026 QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes, which is run over a total distance of six furlongs with participating horses aged 3 or older. The prize money on offer this year for the victor will be marginally more than the Long Distance Cup at £500,000.

The 2025 renewal of the QIPCO British Champions Day Long Distance Cup saw Trawlerman regain his crown in dominant fashion, producing a commanding performance to land the Group 1 contest at Ascot. Ridden by William Buick, the John and Thady Gosden-trained stayer travelled strongly before asserting in the closing stages to secure a clear victory.

In behind, Sweet William stayed on well to finish second, while Al Qareem filled the placings in third. It was a high-quality but small field, with Trawlerman ultimately proving too strong for his rivals over the two-mile trip.

QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1) – 14:45pm

The halfway point in the action on the 2026 British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse will be the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes. The race distance will be a mile and approximately four furlongs, with this race also worth an incredible £500,000 in prize money for the winner, with all horses to be aged 3 or older.

Kalpana starred in the 2025 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot, delivering a polished display to claim top honours in the Group 1 feature. Partnered by Colin Keane and trained by Andrew Balding, she was always travelling with purpose before quickening smartly inside the final furlong to settle the contest decisively.

Estrange emerged best of the rest to take second, while Quisisana ran on into third, but neither could match Kalpana’s finishing kick. The victory capped a strong performance in a competitive field and underlined her class among the season’s leading fillies and mares.

 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Sponsored by QIPCO (Group 1) – 15:25pm

Up next is the race that offers the second-highest prize money to the winner – £1.1 million. The 2026 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, will see a strong field of three year old horses race over a distance of a straight mile.

The 2025 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes produced one of the biggest shocks in recent British Champions Day history, as Cicero’s Gift stormed to victory at odds of 100/1. Ridden by Jason Watson and trained by Charles Hills, the outsider was held up before making a decisive move along the rail and hitting the front inside the final furlong, staying on strongly to seal a remarkable success.

In behind, The Lion In Winter finished second, with Alakazi taking third, but the race was all about the shock winner, whose performance lit up Ascot on a day full of surprises.

QIPCO Champions Stakes (Group 1) – 16:05pm

The penultimate race of the day will be the 2026 QIPCO Champions Stakes, which also has the most prize money on offer, with the winner being awarded a sensational prize of no less than £1.3 million. The field of horses aged 3 or older will go head to head in a contest which will be run over a distance of one mile and about two furlongs at Ascot Racecourse.

The 2025 QIPCO Champion Stakes saw Calandagan deliver a top-class performance to land the feature race on British Champions Day at Ascot. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard and ridden by Mickaël Barzalona, he was settled towards the rear before making smooth headway approaching the final two furlongs, taking the lead inside the last and staying on powerfully to seal the victory.

Ombudsman chased him home in second, while Almaqam filled the final spot in the placings. The win capped a standout campaign for Calandagan, who confirmed his place among the elite middle-distance performers with a decisive success in one of the season’s premier contests.

Balmoral Handicap Stakes Sponsored by QIPCO (Group 1) – 16:40pm

The sixth and final race to be taking place at the 2026 QIPCO British Champions Day is the latest renewal of the Balmoral Handicap Stakes, sponsored by QIPCO. This Group One contest will be run over a total distance of a straight mile, with prize money worth £200,000 set to be awarded to this year’s winner.

Crown Of Oaks claimed victory in the 2025 Balmoral Handicap at Ascot, producing a bold front-running display to land the ultra-competitive mile handicap. Trained by William Haggas and ridden by Tom Marquand, the three-year-old made much of the running and showed plenty of determination when challenged late on, holding firm all the way to the line.

Holloway Boy finished strongly to grab second, while Ebt’s Guard was also involved in a tight finish, sharing the runner-up spot in a blanket finish. In a typically deep field of 20 runners, Crown Of Oaks’ ability to dictate the pace proved decisive in the closing stages.

Excitement and anticipation are building rapidly ahead of what promises to be a day full of enthralling racing and a sensational atmosphere with thousands of racegoers in attendance at one of the world’s most famous and historic racecourses on Saturday, 17th October 2026.

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!