As anticipation builds for the 2025 QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot, the racing world finds itself abuzz with speculation, history, and high-stakes drama. The storied flat race, set for Saturday, October 18, is once again poised to deliver a showdown of elite thoroughbreds, each boasting impressive credentials and their own compelling narratives. With more than a century of tradition behind it, the Champion Stakes stands as a crown jewel of British racing, anchoring the prestigious QIPCO British Champions Day and drawing top talent from across Europe and beyond.
For those steeped in the sport’s lore, the Champion Stakes conjures memories of legendary horses like Bayardo, the 1909 victor, and Trigo, who captured both the Derby and St Leger before adding this race to his resume in 1929. The modern era, too, has seen its share of unforgettable moments: none more so than Frankel’s swan song in 2012, when the unbeaten superstar stormed home under Tom Queally for the late Sir Henry Cecil. That performance, still spoken of in reverent tones, set a standard to which every subsequent Champion Stakes hopeful aspires.
Last year’s edition brought its own dose of drama and surprise. While punters and pundits alike had their eyes on the favorites—Economics, fresh off an Irish Champion Stakes victory, and Calandagan, a consistent performer throughout the season—it was the overlooked outsider Anmaat who stole the show. Sent off at 40/1, Anmaat and jockey Jim Crowley defied expectations, threading through a gap in the final furlong to edge past Calandagan and claim victory by half a length. The upset served as a reminder that in the Champion Stakes, anything can happen—and often does.
Looking ahead to this year’s renewal, the field is once again packed with talent, but three names have emerged as the best-backed contenders: Ombudsman, Calandagan, and Delacroix. Each brings a unique backstory and a string of recent successes, making for a tantalizing puzzle for bettors and fans alike.
Ombudsman, the four-year-old Irish sensation trained by John and Thady Gosden, has quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. Since making his debut in June 2024, Ombudsman has racked up six wins from eight starts, finishing a close second in the only two races he didn’t win. His recent form is particularly eye-catching: he cruised to victory in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York this past August, winning by more than three lengths, and earlier this summer he dominated the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot, defeating last year’s Champion Stakes winner Anmaat by two lengths. With such a formidable record, it’s little wonder Ombudsman has attracted plenty of support in the betting markets.
Not far behind in the reckoning is Calandagan, the pride of trainer Francis Henri Graffard and the Aga Khan Studs. The four-year-old gelding enters this year’s Champion Stakes with a strong 2025 campaign under his belt, including a pair of second-place finishes to start the season followed by back-to-back wins in June and July. Most notably, Calandagan captured the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 26, 2025—a race run on good ground, which suits him best. But versatility is one of Calandagan’s calling cards. As Nemone Routh, French racing manager to the Aga Khan Studs, explained, “Whilst we think he’s better on good ground, he’s perfectly capable of handling soft ground as well.” That adaptability was on display last year, when Calandagan finished second in the Champion Stakes on soft turf, beaten by only half a length by the aforementioned Anmaat.
Calandagan’s preparations for this year’s race have been nothing short of impressive. In the lead-up to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, he worked alongside stablemate Daryz, who would go on to win Europe’s biggest race on October 5, 2025. According to Routh, “Calandagan worked with Daryz prior to him running in the Arc. They worked very well together, so he’s clearly in top form. He has a couple more pieces of work to do and then he’ll be ready to run in the Champion Stakes. It’s all systems go for the race, he’s very professional now in the mornings and does everything very easily.” The fact that Calandagan finished stride for stride with the eventual Arc winner in their final gallop at ParisLongchamp has only heightened expectations. “He did prepare Daryz for the Arc and they finished their gallop together, so he’s obviously in good form!” Routh added.
Then there’s Delacroix, the three-year-old colt who’s rapidly climbing the ranks. With four wins and a second-place finish from six starts in 2025, Delacroix has demonstrated both consistency and a knack for rising to the occasion. His most recent triumph came in the Irish Champions Stakes at Leopardstown, where he held off a tough field to win by just under a length. A victory at Ascot would mark his third Group 1 win, a remarkable achievement for a horse so early in his career. Can Delacroix replicate his Leopardstown heroics on one of racing’s grandest stages? The question lingers as the big day approaches.
The 2025 QIPCO Champion Stakes thus shapes up as a fascinating contest, blending proven veterans, rising stars, and the ever-present possibility of another upset. The narrative threads are rich and varied: Ombudsman’s relentless march through the ranks, Calandagan’s quest for redemption after last year’s near-miss, and Delacroix’s bid to etch his name alongside the legends of the sport. All eyes will be on Ascot come October 18, as the world waits to see which story will be written into the annals of racing history.
One thing is certain: the Champion Stakes has never been short on drama, and with this year’s field, the stage is set for another unforgettable chapter. As trainers, jockeys, and owners put the finishing touches on their preparations, fans can only speculate which contender will rise to the occasion—or whether an overlooked outsider might once again spring a surprise. With the action fast approaching, the excitement is palpable. Ascot, as ever, promises a spectacle worthy of its legendary past.
With contenders like Ombudsman, Calandagan, and Delacroix all in peak form, and the memory of last year’s upset still fresh, the 2025 Champion Stakes is shaping up to be a race for the ages. The only thing left to do is wait for the gates to open and the story to unfold.
