Almeraq confirms top-sprinter status in British Champions Sprint
Almeraq rounded off the flat season at Ascot with a commanding success in the Qatar Racing British Champions Sprint Stakes, adding a third Group 1 of the year to the four-year-old’s record. Trained by William Haggas and ridden by Tom Marquand, the colt produced a telling late run to collar Ed Bethell’s Paborus close to the line and prevail by a neck, while stablemate Division completed a one–three for Somerville Lodge.
The victory followed earlier big-race wins this season, and provided a timely reminder of the colt’s adaptability after a mixed mid-summer campaign. Marquand was able to coax a strong finish into the very soft Ascot surface, with Almeraq responding to each call and sustaining his effort in the closing stages to deny his long-time rival.
Mount Atlas springs a 33-1 surprise in the Long Distance Cup
The Qatar Racing British Champions Long Distance Cup produced one of the day’s more unexpected results as Mount Atlas, a 33-1 shot for Andrew Balding, stormed home to land the two-mile feature. PJ McDonald partnered the winner and timed his challenge to perfection, getting the better of Aidan O’Brien’s Queenstown, who had raced prominently under Ryan Moore.
Mount Atlas’s success extended his winning sequence and provided a significant boost for the Balding yard on Champions Day. St Leger winner Highwayman finished third, with Gregory in fourth, as the staying division produced a competitive, stamina-testing renewal on Ascot’s turf.
Connections reflect on a timely boost
Balding highlighted the colt’s affinity for Ascot and the careful planning that underpinned the decision to contest the two-mile contest. McDonald paid tribute to the Park House team and described the result as a proud moment, emphasising the importance of the prize-money on a day when such returns are meaningful for racing yards.
Night In Vegas completes a memorable juvenile campaign
On the younger end of the card, Charlie Bishop produced a perfectly judged ride aboard Night In Vegas to seal a narrow victory in the Qatar Racing British Champions Day Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes. Trained by Eve Johnson Houghton, the son of Lucky Vega continued an impressive run of form, taking his seasonal tally to a notable number of wins with a nose verdict over Michael Dods’s Arapaho Gold.
Night In Vegas has been a productive performer for his connections, following a sequence of sales-race success earlier in the year. The tight finish at Ascot underlined his determination and improvement through the season, and his trainer indicated plans to give the colt a break before plotting potential targets for next year.
Champions Day takeaways
- Almeraq’s Sprint triumph underlined his status among the leading sprinters of the campaign and rewarded Haggas and Marquand with a prominent victory on Champions Day.
- Mount Atlas’s long-distance success for Andrew Balding provided a valuable training-room boost and illustrated the ever-present potential for surprise results in staying events.
- Night In Vegas’s close win completed an excellent juvenile season and showcased the depth of two-year-old talent prepared by smaller northern yards.
Ascot’s seasonal showcase again delivered a mix of established stars and late-emerging talents, with connections already contemplating routes for next season as the flat racing year draws to a close.
This article may have been prepared in whole or in part with the assistance of artificial intelligence.
