QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday provided a fitting main climax to the Flat season in Britain, highlighted by a stunning first Gr1 success for Frankel’s son, Cracksman.
The Anthony Oppenheimer-owned colt emulated his sire by storming to a seven-length victory in the Gr1 QIPCO Champion Stakes over 10 furlongs, a display that saw him enter calculations for the awards of Cartier Horse Of The Year and Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt.
John Gosden
Cracksman (108 points), trained by John Gosden and ridden by Frankie Dettori on five of his six starts this year, has enjoyed a spectacular second half to the season, with excellent Gr2 victories in both the Betway Great Voltigeur Stakes and the Qatar Prix Niel prior to his impressive Ascot success.
A wonderful QIPCO British Champions Day for the trainer and jockey also saw the pair team up with Cartier Older Horse contender Persuasive (72), who revelled in the testing conditions to take the mile Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored by QIPCO).
The four-year-old filly, owned by Cheveley Park Stud, stayed on strongly for a length victory on her final racecourse appearance, with Cartier Older Horse division leader Ribchester (166) taking second ahead of Churchill (116), who is joint top of the Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt category.
Enable – champion
Gosden and Dettori have also been responsible for the outstanding Enable (208), who currently leads both the Cartier Horse Of The Year and Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly standings following five consecutive Gr1 victories this season, including an imperious display in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly, France, on October 1.
While the European season is moving to an end, there are international highlights over the coming weeks, including the Breeders’ Cup championships at Del Mar, USA, on Friday, November 3 and Saturday, November 4.
The two-day meeting could play a pivotal part in the destination of the award for Cartier Older Horse as the top four in the standings – Ribchester (166), Ulysses (152), Decorated Knight (128) and Highland Reel (92) – may all head out to California.
Cartier Racing Awards – points earned in Pattern races up to and including Sunday, October 22, 2017:
Cartier Horse Of The Year
Enable 208
Ribchester 166
Winter 164
Ulysses 152
Decorated Knight 128
Roly Poly 128
Barney Roy 116
Churchill 116
Cracksman 108
Hydrangea 104
Cartier Older Horse
Ribchester 166
Ulysses 152
Decorated Knight 128
Highland Reel 92
Cloth Of Stars 88
Bateel 76
Persuasive 72
Aclaim 64
Poet’s Word 60
Zarak 54
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt
Barney Roy 116
Churchill 116
Cracksman 108
Harry Angel 100
Thunder Snow 90
Al Wukair 72
Brametot 72
Ice Breeze 68
Capri 66
Caravaggio 64
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly
Enable 208
Winter 164
Roly Poly 128
Hydrangea 104
Rhododendron 80
Sobetsu 56
Coronet 48
Lady Aurelia 48
Senga 48
Rain Goddess 44
Cartier Sprinter
Harry Angel 100
Marsha 76
Caravaggio 64
Tasleet 64
Battaash 56
Brando 48
Lady Aurelia 48
The Tin Man 40
Profitable 36
Librisa Breeze 32
Cartier Stayer
Vazirabad 87
Order Of St George 84
Big Orange 72
Stradivarius 60
Ice Breeze 48
Desert Skyline 36
Capri 32
Marmelo 32
Torcedor 32
Dartmouth 24
Polarisation 24
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt
U S Navy Flag 80
Beckford 48
Sioux Nation 48
Unfortunately 48
Verbal Dexterity 40
Cardsharp 36
Havana Grey 32
Invincible Army 28
Nebo 28
Rostropovich 24
Seahenge 24
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly
Happily 80
Clemmie 56
Laurens 52
Heartache 36
Wild Illusion 34
Different League 32
Magical 32
Nyaleti 28
Polydream 24
September 24
