If last year's Champions Day at Ascot demonstrated the allure of a sporting icon, as a packed crowd of 30,369 witnessed Frankie Dettori's (likely) final appearance at his beloved track, then the 2024 edition of Britain's most lucrative racing day will gauge how far an unforgettable experience can sustain its appeal. Early indications are promising, as many who saw Frankie bid farewell with a triumphant ride in the Champion Stakes still feel the excitement. Last year's attendance surged 27% year-on-year, rebounding from a record low of 23,872 in 2022, and early ticket sales suggest around 28,000 will flock to Ascot to see £4m in prize money awarded.
Few potential attendees seem bothered by the switch of three races to the tight, inner turf track, traditionally used by hurdlers in winter, rather than the historic circuit hosting the Royal meeting and King George in summer. This marks the third time in six years that soft ground has necessitated moving to the inner track, slightly diminishing the viewing experience. However, the field sizes remain impressive, with 59 runners declared for the four Group One races, a new record since the Sprint's upgrade in 2015. With the round course officially described as heavy, soft in places, the spectacle might be muddier than ideal, but it will still be a sight to behold.
Quality is not compromised, as two of the top five horses in the latest World Rankings—Calandagan and Economics—will clash in the Champion Stakes, while Charyn, ranked joint-eighth, is the favorite for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Champions Day's mid-October slot, sandwiched between the Arc in Paris and the Breeders' Cup in the US, often feels competitive, with top names drawn to both events. Ascot owes some of its quality to the French, as Calandagan, a gelding ineligible for the Arc, will face top-class 10-furlong performers from France, England, and Ireland.
Aidan O'Brien has dominated the 2024 British Flat season, with nearly £8m in prize money—£2.5m ahead of Andrew Balding—and a seventh UK trainers' championship secured. A win for Henry Longfellow, Los Angeles, or Continuous would surpass John Gosden's 2018 record, while a double would make O'Brien the first to exceed £9m in a season. However, O'Brien's last Champions Day win was in 2019 with Magical, and his 19-runner streak without a Group One victory includes four favorites. O'Brien acknowledges the challenge, noting the tough conditions and his largest team since 2020, though several key horses were active at Longchamp.
Kyprios, the dual Gold Cup winner, faces tough odds in the Group Two Long Distance Cup, while Quantanamera could shine in the Fillies & Mares Stakes. Swingalong, with a strong Ascot record, and Charyn, the Royal meeting's Queen Anne winner, have solid prospects. In the Champion Stakes, Calandagan's form against City Of Troy in York gives him an edge over Economics, though Haggas's three-year-old has room to improve. Calandagan's proven soft-ground ability could be decisive in the uphill finish.
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