Ascot's big day and the culmination of the Flat season in Britain is headed of course by the Qipco Champion Stakes, with Bay Bridge defending the title he won last year.
Then he was the beneficiary as Baaeed met with his only defeat on his final start, now Sir Michael Stoute's charge is looking to match Twice Over and Cracksman as the only horses to defend the crown this century.
Here's our look at the runners and riders for the Champion Stakes, which boasts a cool top prize of nearly £740,000.
What | Qipco Champion Stakes |
Where | Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire |
When | 3.45, Saturday 21st October, 2023 |
How to watch | bet365 Sports Live Streaming, ITV, Sky Sports Racing, Racing TV |
Odds | Horizon Dore 5/2, King Of Steel 4/1, Bay Bridge 9/2, Via Sistina 6/1, Mostahdaf 7/1 |
Current Odds – 9/2
Jockey – Richard Kingscote
Trainer – Sir Michael Stoute
Bay Bridge was full of guts to win this last year, fending off Adayar while all eyes were fixed on the struggles of Baaeed.
He was a convincing winner of the September Stakes at Kempton last month and also ran a sound race when sixth since in the Arc. The conditions are likely to be favourable and he should go well.
Current Odds - 28/1
Jockey – James Doyle
Trainer – William Haggas
Dubai Honour was a close second in this race two years ago, before finishing sixth last year.
He was the last of four in the Eclipse at Sandown on his sole UK start this year and is now two years without a win.
Current Odds – 7/1
Jockey – Jim Crowley
Trainer – John & Thady Gosden
This son of Frankel won the Prince Of Wales's Stakes over course and distance in the summer, beating My Prospero and Bay Bridge in fourth and fifth. He then followed that up by landing York's Juddmonte International in August under excellent front-running tactics.
That form is rock-solid and perhaps he is being underrated here as he has won on soft ground in the past. Jim Crowley would dearly love to atone for Baaeed's shock loss 12 months ago by winning this for Shadwell.
Current Odds – 12/1
Jockey – Tom Marquand
Trainer – William Haggas
The best of William Haggas' trio in this a year ago, My Prospero only just missed out on second with a strong late rally.
He was some 6½-lengths behind Mostahdaf in June, but he had a good soft-ground Listed win at Goodwood last month in preparation for this one.
Current Odds – 66/1
Jockey – Ryan Moore
Trainer – Aidan O'Brien
The all-conquering trainer has only bagged this race once and its unusual to find Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore teamed up with the rank outsider.
Point Lonsdale started this season with wins at the Curragh and Chester in Group races over this trip on testing ground, but he has lost his way since.
Current Odds – 6/1
Jockey – Oisin Murphy
Trainer – George Boughey
Via Sistina enjoyed back-to-back wins to start the season, including the Group 1 Pretty Polly at the Curragh over this trip.
She was narrowly beaten in the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville in August on heavy ground and this mare heads to Ascot with valid claims.
Current Odds – 5/2
Jockey – Mikel Barzalona
Trainer - Patrice Cottier
This French raider has progressed nicely this year, gaining his fourth success in a row and first at Group 1 level in the Prix Dollar at Longchamp on Arc weekend.
Current Odds – 4/1
Jockey – Frankie Dettori
Trainer – Roger Varian
He was chased down by Auguste Rodin on his seasonal comeback in the Derby but he won the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot soon after.
Only third in the King George back at Ascot the following month, King Of Steel returns here after a one-length fourth in Irish Champion Stakes and is set to be partnered for the first time by Frankie Dettori.
Current Odds – 14/1
Jockey – Clifford Lee
Trainer – Karl Burke
This progressive colt easily landed a Glorious Goodwood handicap on soft ground and has since won the Listed Doonside Cup at Ayr in good style.
Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.