Big Sporting Events: British Champions Day

British Champions Day is a relatively new addition to the racing calendar, yet it has quickly established itself as an enjoyable fixture which is enjoyed by sports fans across the world. It provides a fitting finale to the British flat racing season, and showcases some of the best thoroughreds in the business.

Taking place in mid-October, British Champions Day takes place at Ascot racecourse and helps bring the curtain down on another successful season on the turf in the UK.

It first took place in 2011, and has gone from strength-to-strength ever since. It is the richest race-day on the British racing calendar and prize money continues to climb with each running. Over £4million is available in the purse, and this will be split between the connections of the winning horses.

The authorities decided to introduce Champions Day as a way to truly celebrate the end of the flat season, and the beginning of the National Hunt campaign. It amalgamated some of the best races on the end-of-season Ascot and Newmarket cards, which had been a staple of mid-October for many years.

There are a number of finals taking place which are listed as each of the divisions of the British Champions Series. These include Diadem Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Champion Stakes and the Jockey Club Cup. The Diadem Stakes’ name was changed in 2012 to become the British Champions Sprint whilst the aforementioned Jockey Club Cup subsequently became the British Champions Long Distance Cup.

Four of the six races taking place on British Champions Day are Group 1 events with the Balmoral Handicap the only contest which hasn’t been awarded Group status.

A number of high-profile horses have featured at British Champions Day with Frankel arguably the most noteworthy. The iconic unbeaten colt was victorious during the inaugural event before returning twelve months later and winning the Champions Stakes.

Ascot racecourse is always a hugely popular venue, and over 30,000 spectators tend to descend upon the track to enjoy the conclusion to the flat season.

Many horses arrive at the track protecting unbeaten runs with Stradivarius the most recent example. The John Gosden-trained horse made it a perfect five out of five in 2018 in the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup, and recently continued his winning streak in 2019.

Other horses who have made the headlines during British Champions Day include Minding, Roaring Lion, Seal of Approval, Cracksman and Gordon Lord Byron.

When and Where?

British Champions Day takes place at Ascot racecourse, which is one of the most iconic sporting venues in the country. It is typically held on the third Saturday of October (the 20th in 2018), although this can occasionally vary, depending on other events.

Why is it So Popular?

British Champions Day is hugely popular because it is the final chance for many racing aficianos to watch some of the standout performers of the summer before they are locked away for winter. All of the major yards send their representatives to the track for this special occasions producing a high quality field.

It provides the opportunity to see some of the best sprinters, middle-distance runners and stayers in action, all in one place.

It is one of the most popular betting events on the racing calendar, and turnover is always significant.

What Betting Opportunities Are Available?

Many betting opportunities are available with every single race being a high quality event. Bookmakers often price up the majority of the Group races months in advance, and some of these ante-post markets can be formed within the first few weeks of the flat season. However, the majority of firms will wait until the congested summer period has passed before forming any kind of market.

On the day itself, every single race will be priced up with additional markets for horses to place and match-bets. Accumulators are extremely popular across the card.

Key Betting Markets

To Win the Race – Each of the six races will be priced up by the bookmakers weeks in advance. The fields will change significantly between the the initial formation and the final declarations. Punters will be asked to pick which horse will finish first past the post, and single bets will only be paid out if it finishes ahead of the chasing pack. The majority of the races are hugely competitive affairs, and therefore the prices are often reflective of this. Some races will start at 4/1 the field whilst others may have an odds-on favourite, particularly if the horse is unbeaten to date.

Each Way Betting – With competitive action on the turf, more savvy punters may wish to explore each-way opportunities. This allows your selection to finish second or third, and you will be paid out at either 1/4 or 1/5 of the odds. Some of the races begin with 16+ runners which will result in fifth placed finishers also being paid out. Look out for the bookmakers offering extra-place markets or additional incentives to bet on big price outsiders.

Match Bet – These are a great way of betting without having to select the winner of each race. Match Bets will pitch together two of the competitors in the race, and punters will be asked which one of the pair will finish in the highest position. For example – Horse A to beat Horse B. Even if Horse A and B finish 14th and 15th, as long as they finish in that particular order, you will be paid out.

To Place / To Not Place – Whilst betting each-way will result in being paid out at 1/4 or 1/5 of the odds, there are additional markets which require punters to predict which horses will finish in the top four. Prices are a lot shorter than the outright win markets, but in competitive events, there is often still value to be found here. Additionally, some bookmakers will provide markets on horses not to finish in the top four. The market principles are usually best to oppose in this market.

Top Jockey / Top Trainer at British Champions Day – Additional markets are also available on jockeys and trainers performance. With six races on the card, there is plenty of opportunity for multiple successes on the card. Markets such as ‘Charlie Appleby to Train 2 or More Winners on the Card’ are widely available. Meanwhile, some jockeys will have rides in every single contest so the likes of ‘Oisin Murphy to Ride 2 or More Winners’ is another example of the kind of the market to expect.

Multi-Race Markets – Some bookmakers will have special enhanced odds which focus on multiple races on the card. For example – Horse A, Horse B and Horse C all to win their respective races. These usually involve the most high-profile horses on the card.

Bobbys Big Betting Tips for British Champions Day

The Going is Vitally Important – Ground conditions are always imperative in any races, however the weather conditions in mid-late October can be extremely variable. If you can help it, don’t place bets on any of the races months in advance as the ground could turn from good-to-soft to heavy by the time the event gets underway. Always check the weather conditions before wagering as cut in the ground can make the difference between a horse winning and labouring home in sixth position.

Look Out for Course Specialists – Ascot is a stiff galloping track, and there are very few undulations. It does tend to produce horses who win time and time again in Berkshire. Although it isn’t quite as horses-for-courses as Brighton or Epsom, it is quite unique, and can become particularly testing in wet conditions. Always look out for horses who have performed well here in the past, particularly those who have been victorious at similar distances.

Some Jockeys Have a High Success Rate in Specific Races – It’s not the most scientific approach, but it’s always advised to look for jockeys who have enjoyed success previous runnings of the race. For example, Ryan Moore has ridden the winner of the Fillies and Mares Stakes in both 2017 and 2018, and he has four times overall since 2008. Wayne Lordan and Paul Hanagan have won four of the last six runnings of the British Champions Sprint Stakes. This is something to bear in mind before placing any bets.