British Champions Sprint Stakes
Flat horse race in Britain
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The British Champions Sprint Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.
| Class | Group 1 |
|---|---|
| Location | Ascot Racecourse Ascot, England |
| Inaugurated | 1946 |
| Race type | Flat / Thoroughbred |
| Sponsor | QIPCO |
| Website | Ascot |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 6f (1,207 metres) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Straight |
| Qualification | Three-years-old and up |
| Weight | 9 st 3 lb (3yo); 9 st 4 lb (4yo+) Allowances 3 lb for fillies and mares |
| Purse | £562,500 (2025) 1st: £318,994 |
| 2025 | ||
 |
 |
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| Powerful Glory | Lazzat | Quinault |
| Previous years | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ||
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 |
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| Kind Of Blue | Swingalong | Flora Of Bermuda |
| 2023 | ||
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 |
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| Art Power | Kinross | Spycatcher |
| 2022 | ||
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 |
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| Kinross | Run To Freedom | Creative Force |
| 2021 | ||
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 |
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| Creative Force | Glen Shiel | Minzaal |
| 2020-2011 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | ||
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 |
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| Glen Shiel | Brando | One Master |
| 2019 | ||
|
|
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| Donjuan Triumphant | One Master | Forever In Dreams |
| 2018 | ||
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|
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| Sands Of Mali | Harry Angel | Donjuan Triumphant |
| 2017 | ||
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|
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| Librisa Breeze | Tasleet | Caravaggio |
| 2016 | ||
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| The Tin Man | Growl | Brando |
| 2015 | ||
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|
 |
| Muhaarar | Twilight Son | Danzeno |
| 2014 | ||
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 |
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| Gordon Lord Byron | Tropics | Jack Dexter |
| 2013 | ||
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|
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| Slade Power | Jack Dexter | Viztoria |
| 2012 | ||
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|
 |
| Maarek | Hawkeyethenoo | Sirius Prospect |
| 2011 | ||
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 |
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| Deacon Blues | Wizz Kid | Libranno |
| 2010-2001 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | ||
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| Lady Of The Desert | Dalghar | Kingsgate Native |
| 2009 | ||
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| Sayif | Tamagin | Mullein |
| 2008 | ||
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|
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| King's Apostle | Diabolical | Sir Gerry |
| 2007 | ||
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 |
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| Haatef | Dark Missile | Assertive |
| 2006 | ||
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| Red Clubs | Baltic King | Fayr Jag |
| 2005 | ||
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|
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| Baron's Pit | Fayr Jag | Avonbridge |
| 2004 | ||
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 |
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| Pivotal Point | Airwave | The Tatling |
| 2003 | ||
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| Acclamation | Polar Way | Lochridge |
| 2002 | ||
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| Crystal Castle | Malhub | Acclamation |
| 2001 | ||
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 |
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| Nice One Clare | Orientor | Bahamian Pirate |
| 2000-1991 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | ||
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 |
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| Sampower Star | Tayseer | Trinculo |
| 1999 | ||
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|
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| Bold Edge | Munjiz | Show Me The Money |
| 1998 | ||
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| Bianconi | Russian Revival | Averti |
| 1997 | ||
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| Elnadim | Monaassib | Averti |
| 1996 | ||
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 |
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| Diffident | Lucayan Prince | Leap For Joy |
| 1995 | ||
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 |
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| Cool Jazz | Young Ern | Branston Abby |
| 1994 | ||
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 |
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| Lake Coniston | First Trump | Thousla Rock |
| 1993 | ||
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| Catrail | Marina Park | Zarani Sidi Anna |
| 1992 | ||
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| Wolfhound | Lochsong | Montendre |
| 1991 | ||
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| Shalford | Montendre | Satin Flower |
| 1990-1988 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | ||
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| Ron's Victory | Northern Goddess | Tadwin |
| 1989 | ||
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| Chummy's Favourite | Silver Fling | Dancing Dissident |
| 1988 | ||
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 |
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| Cadeaux Genereux | Point Of Light | Chummy's Favourite |
History
The event was established in 1946, and it was originally called the Diadem Stakes. It was named after Diadem (foaled 1914), a winner of several of Ascot's leading races. For a period it was staged in October,[1] and it later moved to September.
The current system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and the Diadem Stakes initially held Group 3 status. It was promoted to Group 2 level in 1996. It had a prize fund of £100,000 in 2010.[2]
The race was given its present name and switched to October in 2011. It became part of the newly created British Champions Day, and its purse was increased to £250,000. It now serves as the sprint-category final of the British Champions Series. The race was upgraded to Group 1 status from its 2015 running.[3]
Records
Most successful horse (2 wins):
- Set Fair – 1952, 1954
- Jack and Jill – 1958, 1959
Leading jockey (7 wins):
- Lester Piggott – Abergwaun (1971), Home Guard (1972), Saritamer (1974), Swingtime (1975, dead-heat), Absalom (1979), Moorestyle (1981), Salieri (1983)
Leading trainer (4 wins):
- Walter Nightingall – Set Fair (1952, 1954), Jack and Jill (1958, 1959)
- Vincent O'Brien – Abergwaun (1971), Home Guard (1972), Saritamer (1974), Swingtime (1975, dead-heat)
Winners since 1960
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 [a] | Zanzibar | 5 | Bill Rickaby | John Oxley | 1:19.40 |
| 1961 | Satan | 3 | Joe Mercer | Tim Shaw | 1:18.21 |
| 1962 | La Belle | 3 | Bill Williamson | Harry Wragg | 1:17.51 |
| 1963 [a] | Sammy Davis | 3 | Doug Smith | Geoffrey Brooke | 1:12.60 |
| 1964 | Ampney Princess | 4 | Frankie Durr | Harry Hannon | 1:18.96 |
| 1965 | Majority Blue | 4 | Bill Williamson | John Oxx | 1:18.32 |
| 1966 | Lucasland | 4 | Eric Eldin | John Waugh | 1:20.91 |
| 1967 | Great Bear | 3 | Ron Hutchinson | John Dunlop | 1:20.26 |
| 1968 | Secret Ray | 4 | Sandy Barclay | Doug Smith | 1:25.72 |
| 1969 | Song | 3 | Joe Mercer | Derrick Candy | 1:16.00 |
| 1970 | Realm | 3 | Brian Taylor | John Winter | 1:15.21 |
| 1971 | Abergwaun | 3 | Lester Piggott | Vincent O'Brien | 1:14.52 |
| 1972 | Home Guard | 3 | Lester Piggott | Vincent O'Brien | 1:14.04 |
| 1973 | Boldboy | 3 | Joe Mercer | Dick Hern | 1:16.62 |
| 1974 | Saritamer | 3 | Lester Piggott | Vincent O'Brien | 1:20.11 |
| 1975 (dh) |
Roman Warrior Swingtime |
4 3 |
Johnny Seagrave Lester Piggott |
Nigel Angus Vincent O'Brien |
1:15.55 |
| 1976 | Honeyblest | 4 | Geoff Baxter | Doug Smith | 1:16.01 |
| 1977 | Gentilhombre | 4 | Paul Cook | Neil Adam | 1:14.14 |
| 1978 | Creetown | 6 | Robert Street | Ron Sheather | 1:16.33 |
| 1979 | Absalom | 4 | Lester Piggott | Ryan Jarvis | 1:15.63 |
| 1980 | Sovereign Rose | 3 | Willie Carson | Dick Hern | 1:13.80 |
| 1981 | Moorestyle | 4 | Lester Piggott | Robert Armstrong | 1:14.69 |
| 1982 | Indian King | 4 | Greville Starkey | Guy Harwood | 1:17.00 |
| 1983 | Salieri | 3 | Lester Piggott | Henry Cecil | 1:14.85 |
| 1984 | Never So Bold | 4 | Steve Cauthen | Robert Armstrong | 1:13.91 |
| 1985 | Al Sylah | 3 | Tony Murray | Harry Thomson Jones | 1:13.43 |
| 1986 | Hallgate | 3 | Greville Starkey | Sally Hall | 1:15.32 |
| 1987 | Dowsing | 3 | Pat Eddery | Jeremy Tree | 1:14.67 |
| 1988 | Cadeaux Genereux | 3 | Pat Eddery | Olivier Douieb | 1:15.91 |
| 1989 | Chummy's Favourite | 4 | Frankie Dettori | Neville Callaghan | 1:14.25 |
| 1990 | Ron's Victory | 3 | Freddy Head | Alain Falourd | 1:12.66 |
| 1991 | Shalford | 3 | Tony Cruz | Richard Hannon Sr. | 1:18.95 |
| 1992 | Wolfhound | 3 | Steve Cauthen | John Gosden | 1:17.20 |
| 1993 | Catrail | 3 | Michael Roberts | John Gosden | 1:15.63 |
| 1994 | Lake Coniston | 3 | Pat Eddery | Geoff Lewis | 1:14.35 |
| 1995 | Cool Jazz | 4 | Corey Nakatani | Clive Brittain | 1:18.56 |
| 1996 | Diffident | 4 | Frankie Dettori | Saeed bin Suroor | 1:15.36 |
| 1997 | Elnadim | 3 | Richard Hills | John Dunlop | 1:12.56 |
| 1998 | Bianconi | 3 | Johnny Murtagh | Aidan O'Brien | 1:13.98 |
| 1999 | Bold Edge | 4 | Dane O'Neill | Richard Hannon Sr. | 1:20.12 |
| 2000 | Sampower Star | 4 | Frankie Dettori | Saeed bin Suroor | 1:17.29 |
| 2001 | Nice One Clare | 5 | Johnny Murtagh | Pip Payne | 1:17.60 |
| 2002 | Crystal Castle | 4 | Kieren Fallon | John Hammond | 1:13.40 |
| 2003 | Acclamation | 4 | Frankie Dettori | Gerald Cottrell | 1:12.60 |
| 2004 | Pivotal Point | 4 | Seb Sanders | Peter Makin | 1:13.55 |
| 2005 [b] | Baron's Pit | 5 | Johnny Murtagh | Amanda Perrett | 1:10.74 |
| 2006 | Red Clubs | 3 | Michael Hills | Barry Hills | 1:13.71 |
| 2007 | Haatef | 3 | Richard Hills | Kevin Prendergast | 1:13.96 |
| 2008 | King's Apostle | 4 | Liam Jones | William Haggas | 1:14.20 |
| 2009 | Sayif | 3 | Richard Hills | Peter Chapple-Hyam | 1:12.57 |
| 2010 | Lady of the Desert | 3 | Richard Hughes | Brian Meehan | 1:14.13 |
| 2011 | Deacon Blues | 4 | Johnny Murtagh | James Fanshawe | 1:12.55 |
| 2012 | Maarek | 5 | Jamie Spencer | David Peter Nagle | 1:15.99 |
| 2013 | Slade Power | 4 | Wayne Lordan | Edward Lynam | 1:15.79 |
| 2014 | Gordon Lord Byron | 6 | Wayne Lordan | Tom Hogan | 1:17.30 |
| 2015 | Muhaarar | 3 | Paul Hanagan | Charles Hills | 1:13.34 |
| 2016 | The Tin Man | 4 | Tom Queally | James Fanshawe | 1:12.15 |
| 2017 | Librisa Breeze | 5 | Robert Winston | Dean Ivory | 1:16.78 |
| 2018 | Sands of Mali | 3 | Paul Hanagan | Richard Fahey | 1:14.21 |
| 2019 | Donjuan Triumphant | 6 | Silvestre De Sousa | Andrew Balding | 1:16.43 |
| 2020 | Glen Shiel | 6 | Hollie Doyle | Archie Watson | 1:16.74 |
| 2021 | Creative Force | 3 | William Buick | Charlie Appleby | 1:13.79 |
| 2022 | Kinross | 5 | Frankie Dettori | Ralph Beckett | 1:15.57 |
| 2023 | Art Power | 6 | David Allan | Tim Easterby | 1:16.92 |
| 2024 | Kind Of Blue | 3 | James Doyle | James Fanshawe | 1:17.22 |
| 2025 | Powerful Glory | 3 | Jamie Spencer | Richard Fahey | 1:11.72 |
- The 1960 and 1963 runnings were held at Kempton Park
Earlier winners
- 1946: The Bug
- 1947: Djelal
- 1948: Combined Operations
- 1949: Solonaway
- 1950: Abadan
- 1951: Ki Ming
- 1952: Set Fair
- 1953: Rose Coral
- 1954: Set Fair
- 1955: Pappa Fourway
- 1956: King Bruce [a]
- 1957: Arcandy
- 1958: Jack and Jill
- 1959: Jack and Jill
- The 1956 running took place at Kempton Park
See also
- Horseracing in Great Britain
- List of British flat horse races
- Recurring sporting events established in 1946 – this race is included under its original title, Diadem Stakes.