QIPCO British Champions Day 2012 Media Guide - Ascot Racecourse

FRANKEL HEADS CHAMPION 17
Dancing Rain all set to defend her crown
3 October 2012 - The countdown to the second QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on
Saturday, October 20 is now in full swing and the sense of anticipation ahead of British racing's
richest day of the year steps up a gear today with the publication of the latest acceptors for the
championship finales in each of the five categories of the QIPCO British Champions Series.
MIDDLE DISTANCE
All eyes will be on Frankel as the Khalid Abdulla-owned superstar makes what is likely to be the
final start of his imperious career in the £1.3 million QIPCO Champion Stakes, Europe's most
valuable mile and a quarter race. Unbeaten in 13 starts, Frankel handled the step up to 10
furlongs with consummate ease in the Juddmonte International at York on August 22.
Frankel was successful on QIPCO British Champions Day in 2011 in the mile Queen Elizabeth
II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO and has to date won eight QIPCO British Champions Series
races over the last two years.
Opposition to Frankel in the QIPCO Champion Stakes, which has 17 going forward, looks very
strong and is likely to provide him with the toughest assignment of his career. It includes last
year's victor Cirrus des Aigles from France, the second highest-rated horse in the world this
year after Frankel, as well as this season's Coral-Eclipse Stakes winner Nathaniel.
In the World Thoroughbred Rankings, Nathaniel is the joint third highest-rated horse in the world
this year and he came closest to beating Frankel when the pair were separated by half
a length on their respective debuts two years ago in a maiden at Newmarket .
The winners of this year's English, Irish, French and German Derbys have also all stood their
ground at the forfeit stage.
Camelot (English and Irish Derby winner as well as the QIPCO 2000 Guineas) is one of four
entries for Ireland's champion trainer Aidan O'Brien, who also has dual Investec Coronation Cup
victor St Nicholas Abbey in the race.
French Derby winner Saonois represents trainer Jean-Pierre Gauvin, while German Derby
winner, Pastorius, who runs in Berlin today, represents trainer Mario Hofer.
In addition to Cirrus des Aigles and Saonois, French interest is also provided by Etihad Airways
Falmouth Stakes heroine Giofra.
MILE
The £1 million Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Europe's richest mile race, has 13 going forward
including Excelebration who has finished runner-up to Frankel on four occasions, including in
this race 12 months ago, but gained a deserved Group One victory at Deauville in August.
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