The Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot is the showpiece event on British Champions Day, a Group 1 contest that crowns the king of the middle-distance ranks at the close of the flat season.
With a history stretching back to its foundation at Newmarket in 1877, this race now brings Europe’s top horses to Ascot, with £1.3 million up for grabs and a legacy on the line.
Each year, this epic event delivers drama and showcases the resilience and class that define champions, making it the most valuable 10-furlong race in the country.
Ombudsman vs Calandagan: The Duel Everyone Wants
2025’s renewal has been billed as a classic showdown, with most attention focused on Ombudsman from John & Thady Gosden and Calandagan, the French star from Francis Graffard.
Calandagan is a tough and consistent four-year-old gelding and has excelled at the top level this season, winning Group 1 races such as the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot under Mickael Barzalona.
Known for his resolute finish and ability to deliver strong performances in competitive fields, Calandagan is a leading player in the Champion Stakes this year.
Meanwhile, Ombudsman brings a formidable domestic record, having landed both the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and the Juddmonte International earlier this season.
He renewed rivalry with Delacroix in those Group 1 tests and edges market favouritism, especially with his proven ability at Ascot and tactical versatility.
The Gosden camp has been bullish in the build-up, with Ombudsman’s turn of foot and reliability considered major assets on Champions Day.
This is the third meeting between Ombudsman, Delacroix, and now Calandagan, giving the contest an extra edge and genuine narrative depth.
The Full Field: 2025 Champion Stakes Runners
While the main story is the duel between Ombudsman and Calandagan, the 11-runner field is deep, and each horse brings an intriguing angle to the race.
Here’s a quick run-down:
Delacroix: A Group 1 winner and close rival to Ombudsman all season, Delacroix finished just behind his nemesis last time and stays in the mix as joint-second favourite with Calandagan.
Almeric: Lacks Group 1 experience and is on double-figure odds but has the battle-hardened profile often needed here.
Almaqam: Noted for defeating Ombudsman earlier in the season, Almaqam is an outside contender who has been running consistently in top company.
Economics: The former Irish Champion Stakes winner reappears after a prolonged layoff; lightly raced but obviously talented, though perhaps lacking the seasoning of his rivals.
First Look: Another French raider, trained by Andre Fabre, First Look is unexposed at this level and could go well if adjusting to the demands of British racing.
Fox Legacy and Devil’s Advocate: These are considered outsiders, but big fields and strong pace scenarios occasionally throw up surprise-placed horses.
Prague, Mount Kilimanjaro: the long shots, running more in hope than expectation, but big-race days sometimes deliver shocks.
With the draw finalised, middle numbers have historically held no huge bias at Ascot over this distance, a fact confirmed by recent runnings. Tactics and race tempo, rather than stall position, are likely to be decisive, especially if the ground turns soft, which it often does at this meeting.
Trends and Recent Winning Profiles
Looking at past winners offers insight into what it takes to win the Champion Stakes.
Over the last decade, most successful horses have been previous Group 1 winners, often three or four years old, and capable of handling testing autumn ground.
Consistency has been key, with 16 of the last 18 winners having run at least nine times, while fillies and mares, even stars, have generally struggled.
The best recent checks include proven top-level form at 10 furlongs, but also the tactical speed to react to the race’s changing pace, so slow-starting or one-paced types have often struggled.
Recent trends also favour horses bringing strong form from top-level races such as York and Leopardstown, which both Delacroix and Ombudsman clearly do.
Battle hardiness, the ability to quicken, and adaptability to ground conditions have separated the contenders from the pretenders in recent years.
Who Has the Best Chance in 2025?
On paper, Ombudsman’s consistency, previous Ascot form, and versatility make him narrowly the one to beat.
He’s drawn well and has been specifically targeted for this race. However, Calandagan’s wins both in the UK and France cannot be underestimated; he’ll handle the forecast going and has every right to add a Champion Stakes win to his record if the race sets up for a strong gallop, suiting his stamina and late surge.
Delacroix is the clear third option with every chance if the top two underperform, while Almaqam and Economics offer dark horse potential but may lack the peak proven form or race fitness.
Summing up, Ombudsman has the most complete profile for the day, but Calandagan’s recent performances suggest great form in the field.
Another Chapter of Champions
The Qipco Champion Stakes closes the flat season with a cast worthy of its billing, led by the clash between home hero Ombudsman and French superstar Calandagan.
This is the race that racing purists and casual followers alike circle for drama, quality, and future legends.
With millions in prize money, international bragging rights, and careers on the line, expect a contest worthy of the race’s history and its pivotal role at the heart of Champions Day.
The race card and draw add an extra layer of intrigue, but ultimately, the outcome will come down to class, tactics, and the perfect ride.
This year’s edition has the makings of a true classic, which is a fitting end to Britain’s richest day of flat racing.
BETFRED
