British Champions Sprint Stakes

The Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes is the finale of the British sprinting series and features the season’s best speedsters. Introduced in 2011 and upgraded to Group 1 status in 2015, it gives sprinters a final opportunity to scoop some valuable prize-money on British Champions Day

• Length of the race – Six furlongs
• Where to watch – RTV and ITV.
• When to watch – Saturday, October 19 at 2.00pm.
• Prize-money – The race is worth £550,000, with £311,905 going to the winner.
• Course – The race is run at Ascot racecourse.
• Race type – Group 1.
• Weights –Three-year-olds carry 9st 1lb, horses aged four and older carry 9st 2lb.
• There is a 3lb weight allowance for fillies and mares.
• Ages – The race is open to horses aged three and older.
• Sponsor – Qipco have sponsored the race since 2011.

Key trials

The July Cup at Newmarket and the Sprint Cup at Haydock are both six-furlong Group 1s so often provide Champion Sprint runners. The two six-furlong sprints at Royal Ascot, the Commonwealth Cup (three-year-olds only) and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, feed into the finale, as does the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.

What happened last year?

A shock winner as 28-1 chance Sands Of Mali got out in front and stayed there for the full six furlongs to win by a length from Harry Angel. Donjuan Triumphant was third with 2016 winner and 3-1 favourite The Tin Man in seventh.

Where can I get Champions Day tickets?

Champions Day tickets can be purchased from the Ascot website here.