QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes
Group 1, Ascot 14:45
£500,000 guaranteed,
3yo plus,
1m 3f 211y, Class 1   
Saturday 18th October 2025

FormRatings

1 Kalpana 11/8F
2 Estrange 6/1
3 Quisisana 6/1
10 ran Distances: 2½l, ¾l, 1l
Time: 2m 32.67s (slow by 2.97s)

It was all over from the two-furlong pole.

Once Kalpana lengthened, the rest were left chasing shadows. The 11/8 favourite, last year’s heroine, turned this into her personal exhibition gallop — quickening clear under Colin Keane to claim back-to-back victories and remind everyone why she’s the queen of the staying fillies’ division.

After a below-par run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, this was redemption served with flourish. The familiar Juddmonte silks were travelling sweetly behind the pace, and when Keane gave the signal, the response was instantaneous. She surged away, ears pricked, never for a moment looking vulnerable.

Two and a half lengths behind came the late-finishing Estrange, having been forced to wait for daylight, while the French challenger Quisisana stayed on for third. The clock told one story; the visual impression told another — Kalpana was simply operating on a different level.

The victory banked £301,271.87 and, more significantly, gave Andrew Balding’s title bid a vital boost. The trainer, who has worn the strain of a long season, couldn’t hide his relief — or his admiration:

“That was really good. Kalpana has had a frustrating season but looked right back to her best there. Things haven’t quite gone how we wanted them to this year, but that was a pretty good performance.

“It was always a bit of a risk running her back quickly, but maybe we have underdone her all year? You never know, she seems to thrive on it. We had the full support of Barry Mahon and the Juddmonte team, which makes a big difference. When they’re right behind you, which they invariably are, it makes life a lot easier.

“I thought that Colin got her in the perfect position and watching it I didn’t have many anxious moments. It was a strong performance. We thought if she was anywhere near her best, she had an outstanding chance.

“Champions Day is a really good way to end our season and it has become an important focal point for every trainer. To get a winner is special.”

Keane, all calm composure in the saddle, summed up the filly’s professionalism in typically understated fashion:

“Kalpana is very deserving of her win. It was brilliant. She has been very consistent all year. Obviously, the last day in France was a little bit disappointing, but fair play to Andrew and the team for bouncing her back quick – if you had seen her beforehand, you would not have thought that she only ran a couple of weeks ago.

“We were going steady, and the brilliant thing about her is that she’s good from the stalls and will shut down wherever you put her. She relaxes, conserves energy, and when you ask her, she is good and genuine. She is a dream to ride.”

For Barry Mahon and the Juddmonte team, it was a moment that felt every bit as important as it looked:

“This is massive. This is one of the biggest days of the year in British racing and to be here with a filly like that is amazing. The owners are here and it’s nice to be able to take part – and to have a winner is extra special.

“Kalpana is tough. It didn’t work out for her in the Arc. The owners are sportsmen and said roll the dice if Andrew is happy and he gave us the green light on Wednesday – and thank God he did.”

Behind the winner, there was plenty of credit in defeat. David O’Meara’s Estrange lost little in running — quite literally — after being boxed in early:

“We kind of feared coming down the that the draw [1] wouldn’t be helpful, and we would have preferred being down a box or two to have a smoother run. Danny had to force his way out, which wasn’t ideal, but I thought she finished the race well and was gaining on Kalpana near the line. I think they [Chris Richardson and Patricia Thompson of Cheveley Park Stud] are talking about whether she stays in training now. She has only competed in two Group Ones and has finished second in them both, so I’m sure she has got one in her.”

And Danny Tudhope echoed the sentiment, rueful but realistic:

“Obviously, the winner got the run of the race, whereas I had to sit and suffer, really, and kind of force my way out. I think I would have been closer if I had a smoother run of the race.”

As the cheers rolled around Ascot, Kalpana returned to rapturous applause, her dominance undisputed. For the second year running, she turned the Fillies & Mares Stakes into her own coronation. The champion was back — elegant, effortless, emphatic.

BoyleSports

Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Fillies' Group 1)
£500,000 guaranteed, 3yo plus, 1m 3f 211y, Class 1
10 runners
Going: Good

POS. (DRAW) FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (7)    Kalpana 4 9-7 Andrew Balding Colin Keane 11/8F
2 (1) 2½ Estrange 4 9-7 David O'Meara Daniel Tudhope 6/1
3 (5) ¾ Quisisana 5 9-7 F-H Graffard Mickael Barzalona 6/1
4 (2) 1 Bedtime Story 3 9-1 A P O'Brien Christophe Soumillon 18/1
5 (8 ¾ Danielle 4 9-7 John & Thady Gosden Oisin Murphy 11/1
6 (6) 1¾ Wemightakedlongway 3 9-1 Joseph O'Brien Dylan Browne McMonagle 14/1
7 (9) 1 Latakia 4 9-7 F-H Graffard William Buick 25/1
8 (4) shd Waardah 3 9-1 Owen Burrows Callum Rodriguez 8/1
9 (10) ½ One Look 4 9-7 P Twomey James Doyle 14/1
10 (3) 1¾ Ballet Slippers 3 9-1 A P O'Brien Wayne Lordan 40/1