Champion Stakes Runners & Riders  

The culmination of the all-age Group 1 season is the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October. The race is the inspiration for British Champions Day, a six-race extravaganza at the Berkshire venue that brings a rounded conclusion to the flat season in earnest.

The runners and riders for the 2024 Champion Stakes are listed below:

Runners and riders to follow

Who are the Top Three Favourites to Win this Year’s Champion Stakes?

For horses aged three and older, the Champion Stakes is a defining moment for a number of horses’ seasons. Run over 1m2f, it is the end of season target for so many top class horses, with reputations on the line.

Three horses stand out in the current market for the race based on their performances during 2024.

Economics

The likely favourite is set to be William Haggas’ Economics who has made plenty of punters’ money pay this season. He has been campaigned sympathetically to make the most of his ability, so he has skipped the Derby and the Arc in favour of coming here.

Nevertheless, he still stormed to success at Group level twice at York and Deauville before eventually taking in his first Group 1 test in the Irish Champion Stakes. However, the big chestnut took it in his stride, battling to defeat the year-older Auguste Rodin to continue his unbeaten run in 2024.

With further improvement more than likely, he will be a very difficult colt to beat.

Calandagan

Francis-Henri Graffard has enjoyed a superb season with his raids on the British flat season. His Goliath stormed to a convincing success in the King George and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot at the top level in July, and may also run in this race, though Calandagan is another contender having won at the royal meeting.

Running in the famous colours of the Aga Khan, Calandagan has recorded four wins from six starts, but made his name when winning the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot in sensational style, kicking clear by six lengths.

He would have to prove himself as capable at this shorter trip, but given the success his yard have had on these shores, it would be no surprise if he proved up to the task once again.

Auguste Rodin

The 2023 Derby hero does not unite racing fans in praise of his abilities, but he is nonetheless a standing order at Group 1 level. His last 12 starts have come in Group 1 company, and he has won six of those.

Auguste Rodin has not been quite as prolific this term, winning just one from five starts. That did come over course and distance, where he won the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes in courageous fashion.

That said, he was only second to Economics on home turf last time when plenty was set up for him to go one better. As a result, he will play the role of underdog, which is a rarity for him and trainer Aidan O’Brien.

Champion Stakes Horse Entries & Selections

Horses in the Champion Stakes must be aged three or older in order to take part, with the Classic generation receiving a 4lb allowance from their elders and fillies and mares getting 3lb. A maximum field of 16 can go to post, but only one renewal in the past decade has seen more than ten line up at the start.

Once we know the field in greater detail, GG’s selections will be revealed. These will include the top tips of our leading names in Andrew Mount and Matty Sutcliffe.

Which Trainers Have Historically Had the Most Success in the Champion Stakes?

Having been established in 1877, the Champion Stakes has a long and illustrious history. The leading trainer was the fabled Alec Taylor Jr, a master of his craft in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He sent out eight winners of the contest, including the great Sceptre in 1903.

Among more recent trainers, the late Sir Henry Cecil claimed the race on five occasions, including memorably in 2012 in his final full year as a trainer when Frankel, the apple of his eye, concluded his unbeaten career with victory at Ascot. His widow Lady Jane Cecil secured an equally emotional triumph two years later with Noble Mission.

Aidan O’Brien has only ever won the race once when Magical scored in 2019.

Runners & Riders Past Winners

Year	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Odds
2023	King Of Steel	Roger Varian	Frankie Dettori	3/1F
2022	Bay Bridge	Sir Michael Stoute	Richard Kingscote	10/1
2021	Sealiway	Cedric Rossi	Mickael Barzalona	12/1
2020	Addeybb	William Haggas	Tom Marquand	9/1
2019	Magical	Aidan O’Brien	Donnacha O’Brien	EvsF
2018	Cracksman	John Gosden	Frankie Dettori	5/6F
2017	Cracksman	John Gosden	Frankie Dettori	13/8F
2016	Almanzor	Jean-Claude Rouget	Christophe Soumillon	11/8F
2015	Fascinating Rock	Dermot Weld	Pat Smullen	10/1
2014	Noble Mission	Lady Cecil	James Doyle	7/1