Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Haydock and Newcastle (UK) – 17 October 2025.

Aidan O’Brien hopes Delacroix can sign off on a winning note in a blockbuster edition of the G1 QIPCO Champion Stakes, highlight of QIPCO British Champions Day, Saturday, 18th October.

 

Delacroix takes on Ombudsman, the world’s highest-rated horse, for a third time this season. O’Brien’s runner unleashed a devastating burst to wear down Ombudsman in the G1 Coral-Eclipse but was three and a half lengths behind the Godolphin colt in a tactical renewal of the G1 Juddmonte International.

 

Delacroix franked the form in no uncertain terms last month with a dominant display in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes, in which he beat 2024 QIPCO Champion Stakes hero Anmaat by three-quarters of a length.

 

Speaking on a media call, O’Brien said: “We went gently with Delacroix after the Irish Champion Stakes and had our eye on this race while we waited for the lads to decide whether they wanted to go or not.

 

“The Eclipse was a normal-run race really, Delacroix just had a lot of things to overcome to win, and he did. York was a bit of a farce, and you would not see that type of race in a small conditions race, let alone a big Group One race like that.

 

“The plan in York was to follow the pacemaker if nobody else was going to, but it did not work out that way. Nobody wanted the race to happen the way it did, but it happened and hopefully Saturday is a properly run race.

 

“Races like this are what everybody does it for. We all want to see the best horses meeting on the big days, all the time, and the races being as competitive and as fair as possible. Whether it is owners, breeders, spectators, punters, that is what everybody wants.”

 

O’Brien has 11 runners in total on QIPCO British Champions Day, with his team also including Stay True in the upgraded G1 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup and The Lion In Winter in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO).

 

O’Brien said: “We always felt Stay True was going to be this type of horse, more so for next year, but it is nice to let him compete in these races to get a feel about him for next year. We felt he was not really there when he went to the St Leger – he got a bit tired and we will learn more about him on Saturday.

 

“The Lion In Winter had a very good run the last day in France. We think he has gone the right way since then, his preparation has gone well, and we are looking forward to seeing what he does on a track like Ascot.”

 

Kalpana spearheads a strong team for Andrew Balding as she goes for a repeat win in the G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, following her seventh in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

 

G1 City Of York Stakes victor Never So Brave lines up in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO), having already won the Buckingham Palace Stakes and G2 Summer Mile at the track this season. He is joined by stablemate Marvelman, an easy winner of the G2 Park Stakes at Doncaster.

 

Balding saddles progressive duo Almeric and Fox Legacy in the G1 QIPCO Champion Stakes. Almeric has won both of his starts this season, most recently taking the Listed Doonside Cup at Ayr, while Fox Legacy trounced some talented rivals in a conditions race at Glorious Goodwood on his latest start.

 

Balding said: “I think Kalpana ran better than it looked at Longchamp. The draw did not help and she was forced a little wider than we wanted to be. It is less than two weeks ago and she did have a hard race, which is the big question mark. It would be easier if they could talk but, reading the signs we can in terms of her appetite and appearance during exercise, she seems to have recovered well. I think she has an outstanding chance and I would be disappointed if she does not win.

 

“We were very impressed by Marvelman at Doncaster. He has always threatened to be a high-class horse and I think he is developing into that now. He is stepping up a furlong, which is an unknown, but we were keen to establish before his four-year-old campaign whether a mile is within his range.

 

“Never So Brave has done nothing wrong this year. He was very impressive, pretty much carrying top weight, in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot and then he won the Summer Mile on the Round Course at Ascot. Then he won a Group One over seven furlongs last time. He is a high-class horse and deserves his chance in this race.

 

“It was frustrating because Almeric won the Feilden Stakes, beating a horse who has since won the Strensall Stakes, and they clocked a very good time figure on the day. He was entitled to come on for that and then got an injury, which meant he missed the French Derby. I thought he looked good at Ayr, albeit in another Listed race, but he was carrying a penalty. We are pitching him in at the deep end, but hopefully in time he will be capable of mixing it at the top level.

 

“I think Fox Legacy has really found his feet. He had a couple of races close together, so we decided to keep him fresh for this race with the thought that it would cut up a bit, but I don’t think it has. It looks as deep a Champion Stakes as we have had for a few years and the plan has slightly backfired, but he is a capable horse.

 

“I see Flora Of Bermuda is drawn one in the QIPCO British Champions Sprint. Let’s just hope there is a draw bias to the far side as this draw does not give us many options. She has been placed in three or four Group Ones, unlucky in a couple, and she really deserves to have her day in sun.”

 

Jerome Reynier hopes Lazzat or Facteur Cheval can provide France with an eighth winner on QIPCO British Champions Day.

 

Lazzat is one of the leading contenders for the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint, having excelled over the course and distance when beating Satono Reve in the G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

 

Reynier said: “Lazzat was unreal at Royal Ascot – he looked very good that day. He had a battle with the Japanese contender and I was scared the race was going to be tough on him, but physically and mentally he was the same afterwards.

 

“We were disappointed to be beaten in the Prix Maurice de Gheest but Sajir on the day was really good. In the Haydock Sprint Cup, Lazzat was drawn in the middle and there was a bias towards the stands’ rail. He was not beaten far but was always under pressure, which is not the way he is usually.

 

“This time, he is spot on and back on a racecourse he has done so well at. He seems very happy to be back at home because, between the Maurice de Gheest and Haydock, he was based in Deauville, which is not the training environment he is used to. We have benchmarks in the mornings on what he can achieve and, honestly, he has been very well for the past few weeks. Now he needs to show the world that he is the best European sprinter.”

 

Facteur Cheval lines up in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO) for a third consecutive year, having finished second behind Big Rock in 2023 and Charyn 12 months ago. The six-year-old has been off the track since finishing sixth in the G1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

 

Reynier said: “Facteur Cheval was very tired after Royal Ascot and lost a bit of condition, so we gave him a lot of time during the summer. He was entered in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp in September but it came too soon.

 

“Because he has run so well fresh, we thought it was good to go straight to the QEII, a race he has run really well in for the last two years. Those races were different scenarios as the ground was much softer, whereas this year it will be good ground, although he achieved one of his best results on good ground in Meydan when he won the Dubai Turf. It should not be a problem.

 

“There are some very good horses in the race, and he is a bit of an outsider at 16/1, but he showed he can compete with the best in the world in Dubai when winning at a big price.”

 

QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY TO BE SHOWN IN 170 TERRITORIES

 

Racecourse Media Group (RMG) and HBA Media (HBA), working with Ascot Racecourse, will make QIPCO British Champions Day available to view in 170 territories via 40 broadcasters.

 

Fox Sports, Fanduel and Sportsnet will ensure the meeting enjoys excellent exposure in North America, while ESPN / Disney + in South America and Caribbean, and SuperSport in Africa, are other broadcast heavyweights taking the pictures.

 

The Middle East region will be well served by Dubai Racing Channel and Yas TV (Abu Dhabi), who are back after a four-year hiatus, covering the full meeting, while the Far East will enjoy coverage via Green Channel and Netkeiba (streaming service with 17m users) in Japan, and HKJC TV, Cable TV, TVB and Now TV in Hong Kong.

 

Audiences in India will be served by Fancode, India’s leading sports streaming platform, while Sky Racing Thoroughbred Central and Racing.com, and Viaplay, boast excellent reach across Australia and Europe respectively. ITV, Racing TV, Sky Sports Racing and Virgin Media will broadcast the live action in UK and Ireland.

RACE 1

(6) MIO DESTINO ran well in his last start and looks to have a solid winning chance in this line up. (2) BAHAMIAN BEAT is well bred and should be respected, should he receive any betting support he must be taken seriously as this isn’t the strongest field respectfully. (8) TIMELINE ran a cracker in the last start and could feature here again but needs to repeat that. (10) SALAGADOOLA ran well at huge odds in the last start and should be in the mix once again. (Devonne Govender 6-2-8-10).

RACE 2

(4) STAND UP is holding consistent form and will be a strong contender here despite the wide draw. (3) PROLIFIC STAR has never been far back and should be right there on best form. (5) GREY WARRIOR hasn’t been far in recent starts and is capable of popping up. (2) PIBE DE ORO is overdue for a win but can be unreliable. (Devonne Govender 4-3-5-2).

Del       3          (6) GREEN ISLE is in excellent form and looks hard to beat in this contest from a good draw this time. (9) FLOWER FESTIVAL has been consistent lately and another honest run is expected. (5) UMZOLOZOLO ran well in the last start and should be respected here. Include in everything. (1) FAMILY POWER won a gutsy race in the last start and should be right there with the claimer up. (Devonne Govender 6-9-5-1).

RACE 4

(1) WISHES AND DREAMS was gutsy in her last win, she looks progressive and will take some beating here. (7) PRESERVE FOREVER is capable of much better and will be in the firing line. (2) HAZE AND SMOKE won at huge odds but has scope to progress. (4) BRETTY is very capable on her day and should be right there, she is capable of a big finish on her day and can feature. (Devonne Govender 1-7-2-4).

RACE 5

(2) MERCANTOUR is holding solid form and will take a power of beating here. (3) BRENDEN JAMES is in great form and will be in the mix once again so respect. (5) MR FOX is very capable on his day and can get into the placings. (7) THE AFRICA HOUSE hasn’t been far in recent runs and can get much closer. (Devonne Govender 2-3-5-7).

RACE 6

(2) RED WILLIAM is holding top form and will have a strong winning chance however there are many with form here. (5) ROLL OF THE DICE has been racing well and will be a lively challenger to the top selection. (10) RICHARDTHEFEARLESS gets the ace draw and the apprentice up claiming 4kgs which makes him a huge runner. (7) ONE RELIGION has never been far in recent starts and will make her presence felt. (Devonne Govender 2-5-10-7).

RACE 7

(1) GUY GIBSON is threatening to win soon, he has been narrowly beaten in his last two starts and will be a strong contender here. (6) FRENCH FLAME is holding consistent form and will be in the mix once again, he is the main danger to the top selection. (7) BANDMASTER won well when shedding the maiden and could certainly feature here. He is a lightly raced 5 year that goes well on the poly hence he could make the frame. (5) ABOVE THE HORIZON is capable of getting into the action here on best form so include in larger perms. (Devonne Govender 1-6-7-5).

RACE 8

(1) KING VISERYS is holding solid form and has shown he is versatile so can win on any surface. Although he has a tough draw to deal with he looks the one to beat here. (6) MANEKI NEKO is holding form and has run well on the poly so needs to be respected. (7) KING’S SAILOR ran a gutsy race in the last start and needs to repeat that here. (2) CHERRY OH BABY has her first run in the province but did win her maiden on the poly in KZN so needs to be respected. (Devonne Govender 1-6-7-2).

Horse racing fans are in for a truly spectacular day on Saturday, 18 October 2025, with major events scheduled across the globe. From the prestigious TAB Everest in Australia to compelling local action in Hollywoodbets Durbanville and the classic Golden Trophy in Mauritius, it is a day not to be missed for any lover of the sport.

Randwick, Australia: The TAB Everest

Race 1 off at 03:30am

Experience the excitement of the world’s richest turf race from the comfort of your home. This is the pinnacle of the Sydney Spring Carnival, bringing together the fastest sprinters from around the globe to compete for a staggering $20 million prize purse. The atmosphere is electric as the top thoroughbreds and jockeys compete for supremacy.

Hollywoodbets Durbanville, Cape Town: Local Racing Action

Race 1 off at 12:35pm

Enjoy a superb day of local racing at the picturesque Hollywoodbets Durbanville Racecourse in Cape Town. Experience the thrill of live racing with a full card of quality thoroughbreds competing for victory on home soil. This meeting offers a great opportunity to get a close look at some of South Africa’s best horses and rising stars.

Port Louis, Mauritius: The Golden Trophy

Race 1 off at 10:30am

The racing action continues in the Indian Ocean with the prestigious Golden Trophy at the Champ de Mars racecourse in Port Louis. As one of the season’s major events, this is an exciting highlight for the Mauritian racing calendar and will be a compelling contest.

Ascot is a World Pool event on races 2 to 7.

Race 1 off at 13:55am

World Pool betting on Win, Place, Swinger, Quinella, Exacta and Trifecta.

Quartet pools will be hosted by Saftote.

Get ready for a day of outstanding equine competition all happening this Saturday!

Sunday, 19^th October Hong Kong

Sha Tin Trophy

Race 1 @ 10:00am

Soccer10 Friday 17 October 2025. ADD-IN R150 000. Estimated Pool: R1.8 Million. Pool Closes at 19h30.Sport 12 and Pool 1.

Soccer6 Saturday 18 October 2025. ADD-IN R75 000. Estimated Pool: R500 000. Pool Closes at 15h00.Sport 5 and Pool 1.

Soccer10 Saturday 18 October 2025. ADD-IN R150 000. Estimated Pool: R1.8 Million. Pool Closes at 15h00.Sport 15 and Pool 1.

Soccer13 ONE WINNER GUARANTED JACKPOT Saturday 18 October 2025. Estimated Pool: R18 Million. Pool Closes at 15h30. Sport 10 and Pool 1. ALL 13 CORRECT JACKPOT POOL.

Soccer Any 13Xtra Saturday 18 October 2025. C/Over: R150 000. Estimated Pool: R500 000. Pool Closes at 13h30. Sport 13 and Pool 1

Soccer SCORES C/Over: R 86 419. Saturday 18 October 2025. Pool Closes at 15h30. Sport 72.

Soccer CORNERS C/Over: R 4 282. Saturday 18 October 2025. Pool Closes at 16h15. Sport 71.

Soccer13 Sunday 19 October 2025. C/Over: R1 442 524. Estimated Pool: R6 Million. Pool Closes at 14h30. Sport 11 and Pool 1. ALL 13 CORRECT JACKPOT POOL.