The last major day of flat racing in Europe for the season, the five group stakes races during Ascot’s British Champions Day see 67 runners line up on a track that is currently listed as soft and heavy in places for Saturday.

Australian connections abound in Long Distance Cup

One of three Aidan O’Brien trainees in the first race of the day, the 3200 G2 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup, Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) has only raced once in 2020 – that being a fourth behind Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in June. A multiple Group stakes winner, the colt knows his way around the racecourse and should enjoy the soft ground with wins over soft tracks both time he’s run on them. From a family full of stakes runners, the colt’s family members include former shuttle stallion Zoffany (Ire) and current Lindsay Park trainee Rostropovich (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).

Just a week after Russian Camelot’s (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) second in the G1 Caulfield S., family member Mildenberger (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) tries to add more stakes form to the family. A two-time winner in the spring, stakes winner Mildenberger comes into this race looking for his first Group victory after hitting the board in six Group races in his career.

Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) looks to avenge his nose loss in this race last year and take home his second Long Distance Cup here. The 6-year-old entire comes by his love of stamina honestly, most of his siblings have enjoyed a route of ground and his dam is a half-sister to the grandam of G1 Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) with another half-sister the dam of Australian stakes placed Soviet Courage (Ire) (Dutch Art {GB}).

Monica Sheriff’s (GB) (Lawman {Fr}) love of stamina isn’t surprising with the filly out of a three-quarter sister to dual Group 1 winner Ask (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {GB}), who won up to 3100 metres. Ask and Monica Sheriff’s dam are out of a half-sister to the dam of G1 Queen Elizabeth S. winner Kingdom Of Fife (GB) (Kingmambo {USA}) and the dam of Group 3 winner Astrophysical Jet (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Living in Australia, Astrophysical Jet’s foals include a 2-year-old colt by Exceed And Excel, a yearling by Pariah, and a colt born on September 1 by Deep Field.

Winning the G1 Comer Group International Irish St. Leger for the second time this year, Search For A Song (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is trying British Champions Day for the first time this year. A three-quarter sibling to former shuttle stallion Free Eagle (Ire), she is also a half-sister to Australian stakes winner Valac (Ire) (Dark Angel {GB}), who is in training with Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes.

A three-quarter brother to G1 Epsom Derby winner Pour Moi (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), Dawn Patrol (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is one of four stakes winners for Gwynn (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}). That mare is a half-sister to Capability (Fr) (Nashwan {USA}), who was imported to Australia in 2002 and is the grandam of G3 Hobart Cup Pretty Punk.

Fastnet Rock mare headlines Sprint

Fresh off her third straight G1 Qatar Prix de la Foret victory, Fastnet Rock’s One Master (GB) is looking to avenge her second in the 1200 metre G1 Qipco British Champions Sprint last year on Saturday. One Master’s champion grandam is a half-sister to the dam of Group 1 winner Rivet Delight (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) and his half-brother Group 3 winner Alexander Pope (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and the dam of G1 Turnbull S. winner December Draw (Ire) (Medecis {GB}).

Galaxie Dust (USA) (Blushing Groom {Fr}) has the unique distinction of having descendants in both the longest and shortest races of the day with Chiefofchiefs (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}) lining up in the race after Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) runs in the Long Distance Cup. Chiefofchiefs is out of a great-granddaughter of the mare with his dam Danvers (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) a half-sister to Group 1 winner and former shuttle stallion Zoffany (Ire) and Rostropovich (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who is in the Lindsay Park program.

A winner of the G1 Sprint Cup last month, Dream Of Dreams (Ire) is by former shuttle sire Dream Ahead (USA) and one of three stakes horses for Dansili’s (GB) unraced Vasilia (GB). Vasilia is a half-sister Airwave (USA) (Air Express {USA}), the champion grandam of Coolmore Australia shuttle stallion and champion Churchill (Ire) and his champion sister Clemmie (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) with their full brother Blenheim Palace (Ire), who is in training with Nathan Dunn.

The undefeated Dutch Art (GB) 3-year-old Starman (GB) lines up for his first Group attempt here after winning his first three starts by a combined 4.5l. One of two stakes horses from two to race out of Northern Star (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), the colt’s dam is a half-sister to Uncle Mo’s (USA) Grade 2 winner King Guillermo and stakes-placed Dorothy B (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) with the colt’s second dam Slow Sound (USA) (Dixieland Band {USA}) a half-sister to Australian stakes performer Slow Pace (USA) (Distorted Humor {USA}).

Third by just 1l in the G1 Derrinstown Stud Flying Five S. last out, Dark Angel’s (Ire) Sonaiyla (Ire) is out of the winning More Than Ready (USA) mare Sinaniya (USA). A half-sister to Hong Kong runner Doyeni (USA) (Smart Strike {Can}), Sinaniya’s dam is a half-sister to the dam of Australian stakes winner and Group 1-placed Sikandarabad (Ire) (Dr. Fong {Ire}).

Cable Bay’s (Ire) stakes winning daughter Jouska (GB) comes into this race off her first stakes win last Saturday on soft ground. One of two stakes horses out of her Kingmambo (USA) dam Quiet Protest (USA), the filly’s Group 1 winning fourth dam Brocade (GB) (Habitat {USA}) is the dam of classic winner and sire Barathea (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}).

Oaks winner out of former Australian among runners in Fillies & Mares S.

G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks winner Even So (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) looks to put a sixth place finish in France behind her in the G1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mare S. The 3-year-old filly is out of former New Zealand runner Breeze Hill (Ire) (Danehill {USA}), who is the dam of seven winners from seven runners. The mare was last seen in Australasia when sold at the 2012 Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale to BBA Ireland for $100,000 nine years after Paul Moroney bought her at Tattersalls for 150,000 gns. The mare is a half-sister to three-time Group 1 winner Dr Devious (Ire) (Ahonoora {GB}) and the dam of dual Group 1 winner Dancing Rain (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) with Coolmore Australia shuttle sire Saxon Warrior (Jpn) and Group 1 winner Awesome Planet (Fastnet Rock) both also under her second dam.

Group 2 winner and multiple Group 1-placed runner Dame Malliot (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) is a granddaughter of Apache Star (GB) (Azari {USA}), a full sister to former Australian resident Lolette (GB), whose foals include multiple Group 3 winner Hume (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and the dam of stakes winner Savaheat (NZ) (Savabeel) with G1 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}) and G1 Epsom H. winner Hauraki (Reset) among those under Dame Malliot’s fourth dam.

Group 2 winning Frankel (GB) daughter Mehdaayih (GB) is one of three winners out of her dam Sayyedati Symphony (USA) (Gone West {USA}). That mare is a half-sister to the grandam of Group 3-placed Would Be King (Ire) (Lethal Force {Ire}), who is in training with Tim Donnelly at Wagga Wagga after starting his Australian career with Chris Waller in 2019. Others in the family include the Australian stakes winning Havasay (Rothesay) and Group-2 placed Force Command (Commands).

Out of the Group 1 winning Galileo (Ire) mare Allegretto, Cabaletta (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) is looking for her first Group victory after multiple placings at the level. The filly’s prolific third dam Alruccaba (Ire) (Crystal Palace {Fr}) is the matriarch of a family that includes G1 Underwood third Midas Touch (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Group 3 winner My Nordic Hero (GB) (Archipenko {USA}), and Brighthill Stud’s G1 Ranvet second He’s Eminent (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) among its Australasian performers.

The 50th Royal Ascot winner for John Gosden earlier this year, Frankly Darling (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is one of three stakes performers for Hidden Hope (GB) (Daylami {Ire}). That mare is a half-sister to the grandam of Australian runner Goldoni (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) with another half-sister named Nuryandra (GB) (Reference Point {GB}) an Australian resident whose foals included New Zealand stakes winner Brocco Babe (Brocco {USA}).

A full sister to Irish classic winner Roderic O’Connor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Laburnum (Ire) is a Listed winner from the extended family of G1 Queensland Derby winner Magicool (Fastnet Rock). Multiple members of Laburnum’s family have made their way to Australia with stakes performers included stakes winner Latin Corner (Danehill {USA}), Group 3 winner Humma Humma (Denman), and Karaka 3YO Mile winner Raghu (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}).

Wonderful Tonight (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) gave Australian stakes-placed Mr Garcia (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}) a big update two weeks ago with a Group 1 win and the filly out of his half-sister looks to do the same thing here. Wonderful Tonight also hails from the family of G3 Easter Cup winner winner Inverloch (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) and Camelot (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}), who is the sire of dual Group 1 winner Russian Camelot (Ire).

Grandson of Silent Heir among entries in Queen Elizabeth II

If Century Dream (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) wins the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. over 1600 metres, he’ll give dam Salacia (Ire) (Echo Of Light {GB}) the distinction of being the dam of two winners of the race after King Of Change’s (GB) (Farhh (GB}) win last year. Century Dream also finished third by just 0.75l in here two years ago to the late Roaring Lion (USA) (Kitten’s Joy {USA}). The trio is from the family of stakes winner Dubai Escapade (Dubai Destination {USA}), who won the Listed Tattersall’s Cup and was second in the G3 Strickland S. in Western Australia.

Galileo’s (Ire) three-time Group 1 winner Circus Maximus (Ire) is from the family of Australian Group 1 winner Delectation (Shamardal {Ire}). The colt also has form closer up on his page with his grandam a three-quarter sister to G2 Villiers H. winner Honor In War (USA) (Lord At War {Arg}), who stood at Ilala Stud in the Hunter Valley.

Lancaster House (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is the only named foal out of Group 2 winner Quiet Oasis (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), a daughter of Australian-bred Silent Heir (Sunday Silence {USA}), who was sent to Ireland as a late 3-year-old before returning in 2012 with multiple foals winning in Australia. Silent Heir is also the half-sister to the dam of multiple Group winner Zoutori (Zouststar) and out of a three-quarter sister to New Approach (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

Sir Prancealot’s (Ire) Sir Busker (Ire) was second in a Group 2 two starts ago and makes his first career Group 1 start here. The 4-year-old sees US Champion Golden Apples (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) among stakes winners on his page.

Night Of Thunder (Ire) runner Molatham (GB) is out of a half-sister to the Chris Waller-trained Captain Cook (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who has won multiple Australian stakes. Molatham’s four dam is bluehen Misque (USA) (Nureyev {USA}) the family including shuttle stallion Real Steel (Jpn).

Dual Group 1 winner Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) is out of a half-sister to consistent Australian stakes performer Bonfire (GB) (Manduro {Ger}). Another half-sister out of his dam is the dam is Australian import Perfect Illusion (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), who is in training with Mitchell Beer.

Addeybb leads Champion S.

Dual Australian Group 1 winner Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) is looking for his fourth win of the year in the G1 Qipco Champion S., a race he finished second in last year before his Australian campaign. Finishing no worse than second in his four starts this year – with three victories – the gelding looks to be in the best form of his life but will face Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who beat him last year.

Set to run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe before having to be scratched due to contaminated feed, Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) makes his first start for new co-owner Masaaki Matsushima. One of two Group 1 winners for his dam Shastye (Ire) (Danehill {USA}), the 4-year-old saw his dam in the spotlight again earlier this month when his yearling full sister topped the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for 3.4 million gns. The Australian connections run deep for the family with Listed Ipswich Cup winner Maurus (GB) (Medicean {GB}) and G3 JRA Cup third Sir Isaac Newton (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) both out of Shastye.

Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) could give a timely update to an Australian based mare with his dam a half-sister to the dam of Sweet Victory (USA) (Blame {USA}). Purchased for US$400,000 by Boomer Bloodstock at the 2016 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, Sweet Victory had an All Too Hard filly in 2018 and was bred to Dundeel (NZ) last year.

From the family of Fastnet Rock’s One Master (GB), San Sonato (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) joins that mare on this card. Taking his place in the G1 Champion S., the filly is looking to get his first Group victory in this race. The colt’s third dam is the grandam of Group 1 winner Rivet Delight (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) and his half-brother Group 3 winner Alexander Pope (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) with another of her daughters producing G1 Turnbull S. winner December Draw (Ire) (Medecis {GB}).

The winner of this race last year, Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) looks to defend her crown after winning the Irish version of this race last month over Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). The best of three Group winners for classic winning dam Halfway To Heaven (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), she shares a family with 2018 Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who is under her third dam.

A little over a month after grandam Acts Of Grace (USA) (Bahri {USA}) foaled a Pride Of Dubai filly, Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) lines up in this race. A winner of the G1 Prix du Jockey Club a few months ago, the colt registered that classic victory only two months after his grandam sold at the 2020 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale. A Group 3 winner herself, Acts Of Grace is a half-sister to top sires Invincible Spirit (Ire) and Kodiac (GB) with Champion Freshman Sire Pride Of Dubai under Mishriff’s fourth dam.