Addeybb won the QIPCO Champion Stakes (G1) at Ascot on Saturday. (Photo credit: Ascot Racecourse).
In the meeting’s feature race, it was globe trotting superstar Addeybb and Tom Marquand who took the spoils in the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday.
The victory rounded off a remarkable day for couple Hollie Doyle and Tom Marquand who combined for 4 victories during Britain’s richest race day.
It’s been a memorable season for Marqaund and Addeybb who dominated down under throughout the winter as the duo claimed Group 1 victories in Australia. However, his main targets were always going to be during the Autumn as the Haggas team aimed him at his preferred soft ground and that paid off as Addeybb came home in front in this year’s QIPCO Champion Stakes.
During the race, it was Derby hero Serpentine who despite missing the break, took up the running as expected. The eventual winner Addeybb, sat just of the Classic winner in his favoured position towards the front of the field. Elsewhere, heavily backed favourite Magical settled in mid-division with Frankie Dettori and second favourite Mishriff just one off the rail alongside the Ballydoyle superstar.
The places didn’t alter throughout the early stages with most content on holding position. As the pace began to quicken it was James Doyle and Lord North who made the first move as the duo began to make a move around the outside. The rest responded as Mishriff picked up the bridle and Skaletti continued to run on alongside the rail. Ryan Moore asked plenty of Magical but she was caught ever so slightly flat footed and couldn’t quite pick up the leaders.
Into the final stages, Addeybb continued to thunder on, ploughing his way through the softer ground as Sklatetti failed to really throw down a challenge.
Tom Marqaund only won his first Group 1 just a month ago in the St Leger but this performance will be right up there with his best of the season. A hugely satisfying win for the young jockey on the biggest stage of all and a wonderful victory for all connections.
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Champions Stakes Replay
The Revenant Takes Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
The French raiders continued to make an impression on the tenth renewal of QIPCO British Champions Day as Pierre-Charles Boudot guided The Revenant to Group 1 glory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
The unbeaten Palace Pier was one the day’s really strong favourites alongside Stradivarius, however it proved to be a tough day for Messrs Gosden and Dettori as their unbeaten miler lost a shoe and could only finish third.
Second in the race last year, The Revenant only appeared once prior to this year’s race in which he looked a very good winner at Longchamp just two weeks ago. However, he certainly wasn’t short of race fitness as he battled through the autumnal conditions to win a maidan British Group 1.
Throughout the race he never looked hugely fazed by the occasion, settling early before turning on the after burners when necessary. Challengers came in the force of Palace Pier and the outsider, Roseman but he was not for beating and in the end, he took the prestigious race with plenty in hand.
Another brilliant day for the French raiders and a fantastic day for Pierre-Charles Boudot who claims his first ever British Champions Day winner.
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Replay
Wonderful Tonight Justifies Favouritism In The Fillies & Mares
French trainer David Menuisier can now add British Group 1 winner to his extensive CV as Wonderful Tonight obliged in the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.
In what looked to be a very open race, the French raider was amongst a whole host of top class fillies looking for Champions Day glory.
Elsewhere, Hollie Doyle picked up the ride on second favourite Dame Malliot looking for an unbeleivable treble but it wasn’t to be in this one. In a realtively slowly run race Wonderful Tonight settled nicely towards the front of the pack. As the race evolved, Buick continued to press the pace, stretching the field and as they rounded Swinley bottom with plenty in the tank, Buick looked to exert his authority on the rest of the field. The injection of pace paid off as the duo quickly took a couple of lengths out of the field.
Challenges came in the form of both Dame Malliot and Meediyah but in truth Wonderful Tonight always looked the winner. Buick will be credited with a very well run race as both him and Menuisier got their tactics spot on.
Fillies & Mares Replay
Doyle Creates History In The Sprint Stakes
In a wonderful week for Hollie Doyle she made yet more history today, winning her first ever Group 1 race and in the process becoming the first female to win a Group 1 at QIPCO British Champions Day.
Having won ever-so comfortably in the opener, Doyle looked to be oozing confidence as her mount Glen Shiel flew out of the stalls and took up a prominent position in the centre of the track in what was a very competitive Sprint Stakes.
As the field came to the 2-furlong marker, Cieren Fallon Jnr’s mount and July Cup winner Oxted began to press ahead, throwing down his challenge as favourite Dream Of Dreams began to fade. Follwing them came the challenge of age defying Brando, who has always saved his best for the biggest stage. However, Archie Watson’s superb sprinter was not for beating as he toughed it out in a photo finish.
He battled ever so hard and showed a tremendous amount of grit to overcome his rivals and land a maidan Group 1 success. It’s a race that will live long in the memory for racing fans all over the land.
Sprint Stakes Replay
Trueshan Dominates In The Long Distance Cup
Champion Stayer Stradivarius headed a very competitive field of 13 top class stayers looking for Champions Day glory in this year’s Long Distance Cup.
In a very well-run race, it was Trueshan and the in-form Hollie Doyle who were out in a league of their own. Positioned alongside Dettori and Stradivarius, just one off the rail as they turned for home and travelling prominently, Alan King’s stayer always looked to have every chance. As the pace started to quicken, Hollie searched for another gear and she found plenty. Trueshan picked up beautifully and came away from his rivals to come home well in front.
In truth, it never looked like Stradivarius’ race. Sat in the middle of the pack as they turned for home, Dettori urged his companion along but after a busy season it was not to be for the magnificent duo.
However, that will not take away from the wonderful story of Trueshan. A magnificent victory for trainer Alan King and another feather in the cap of record-breaking Hollie Doyle who continues to go from strength to strength.
