Ascot celebrates last meet of the season with British Champions Day

The flat racing season draws to a close this weekend (21 October) with the QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot.

Richest race day

This thrilling finale is the richest day in British racing, with more than £4 million up for grabs – and it’s your chance to see the world’s finest horses and jockeys battle it out for their slice of history.

As the culmination of the QIPCO British Champions Series, the raceday features championship races for ten-furlong horses (Champion Stakes), milers (Queen Elizabeth II Stakes), sprinters (six furlongs), long distance horses (two miles) and fillies and mares (one mile and four furlongs).

Champion jockey

Before the racing kicks off the Stobart Champion Flat Jockey will be crowned.

For the last few years the title has been a battle between Jim Crowley and Silvestre De Sousa. In 2015 De Sousa was crowned champion, but had to concede the title to Crowley last year. This year the Brazilian-born jockey, secured the Championship a month ahead of Champions Day, leaving Crowley in second place.

Big party

Alongside the racing their is plenty to keep young race-goers entertained in the fanzone. Activities include an inflatable assault course, face painting, pony rides and a chance to have a go at riding like a jockey, on a mechanical horse.

The day closes with a big party, headlined by George Esra who is playing his last UK gig of the year.

Want to know more about racing? Don’t miss Horse Town which takes you behind the scenes at Newmarket. You can watch this six-part series online NOW via H&C Play or Amazon Video.