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QIPCO Champion Stakes 2011 |
Fabulous 40 for QIPCO Champion Stakes
04/08/11
The £1.3 million QIPCO Champion Stakes over one and a quarter miles, which will be the richest race ever run in Britain, has attracted a similarly powerful entry of 40 horses, headed by three of the world’s leading middle distance performers including Southern Hemisphere champion So You Think, who was victorious in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown at the start of July for his handler, Aidan O’Brien.
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Nathaniel was an impressive winner of the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Betfair) for trainer John Gosden at Ascot on July 23, while fellow three-year-old Pour Moi has been entered by legendary French handler Andre Fabre following an exhilarating last-to-first success in the Investec Derby at Epsom Downs in June.
Frankel also holds an entry in the race just in case connections decide to step him up in trip, but the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes appears to be the far more likely target.
Further spice may be added by the likes of Twice Over, who has triumphed in the past two renewals of the Champion Stakes at Newmarket, French Group One winners Sarafina and Planteur, as well as So You Think’s stable companion Await The Dawn, a ready winner of the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Midday and Snow Fairy have posted 10 victories in Group/Grade One company between them, while Classic winners Roderic O’Connor, Misty For Me, Reliable Man and Tin Horse are also engaged.
Qipco Champion Stakes (British Champions Middle Distance)
(Group 1)
£1300000.00 added, 3yo plus, 1m 2f, Class 1
40 runners
