As we move deeper into October, only six Group 1 contests remain on the domestic calendar. Five of those light up the spectacular Qatar Racing British Champions Day menu on Saturday afternoon. Bookended by a juvenile contest and the Balmoral Handicap, the seven-race card offers a massive £4.35 million in total prize money.
While the Champions Day fields have been taking shape for some time, six new names appeared this week. Previously without a Champions Day entry (or entered in an alternative race in the case of Constitution River), the following runners have received late supplementary entries.
Highwayman – Qatar Racing British Champions Long Distance Cup
First up, the horse who carried Saffie Osborne into the history books as the first female jockey to ride the winner in a British Classic. A tilt at the Melbourne Cup had been touted for the St Leger hero, but instead he is set to take his place in the big staying event at Ascot.
Showing little to nothing in his first four starts, Highwayman has exploded into life over the summer. Arriving seeking a four-timer, following wins in maiden, Listed, and Classic company, he sits third in the market behind Scandinavia (deemed only a possible runner by Aidan O’Brien) and George Scott’s recent Prix du Cadran winner Caballo De Mar.
Talk Of New York – Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
Given his traditional strength in the 1m division, it is a little surprising that Charlie Appleby has yet to win the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. That looked unlikely to change in 2026, with the Newmarket handler initially without an entry. He is now set to saddle the market leader. Scoring top marks for consistency, Talk Of New York has finished in the first three in all seven career starts, including four wins. The pick of those efforts came last time out when proving in a different league to his rivals in the Group 2 Joel Stakes. This is tougher, but a repeat of his close third behind Bow Echo in the St James’s Palace Stakes could see him go close.
Constitution River – Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
With four wins to his name, Aidan O’Brien needs just one more to join Saeed bin Suroor as the most successful trainer in the history of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Having finished second to Bow Echo in the 2,000 Guineas, St. James’s Palace Stakes and Sussex Stakes, and won the Irish 2,000 Guineas, Gstaad was expected to be the Ballydoyle number one in 2026. However, he may now step up in trip for the Champion Stakes, with Constitution River (who also holds a Champion Stakes entry) moving in the other direction for this assignment.
A Group 1 winner over a mile and a quarter in the French Derby and Coral-Eclipse, he has since come up short in the Juddmonte International and Irish Champion Stakes. With three starts over 7f and five over 1m2f-1m2½f, he has yet to race over a mile but would top the ratings in Gstaad’s absence and looks a big threat to all.
See The Fire – Qatar Racing British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes
Moving into the last big multi-million-pound race day of the season, Andrew Balding holds a narrow advantage over Aidan O’Brien in the race to be crowned British Champion Trainer. Balding’s best chance of adding to his tally on Champions Day comes in the big event for the fillies and mares. Already responsible for the market leader in the shape of 2024 and 2025 winner Kalpana, Balding has added See The Fire to the lineup. Yet to win in Group 1 company or over 1m4f, the Jeff Smith runner would rate a surprising winner. However, the dry forecast is in her favour, and she may grab a valuable share of the prize money.
Tajlina – Qatar Racing British Fillies & Mares Stakes
With wins in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (The Revenant 2020) and Champion Stakes (Calandagan 2025), Chantilly handler Francis-Henri Graffard is no stranger to Champions Day success. The 2025 World Racehorse of the Year Calandagan captains the Graffard team in 2026 as he bids to defend his Champion Stakes crown, but Graffard also has live chances earlier on the card. Samangan tackles the Champions Sprint Stakes, while French 2,000 Guineas champ Rayif is fancied to go well in the QEII. The latest addition to the raiding party is this four-year-old daughter of Kingman. Unraced beyond 1m2½f and yet to step into Group 1 waters, Tajlina has it all to do in a hot renewal. However, her connections know her best and have paid the £37,500 fee to take their chance.
Soul Love – Qatar Racing British Champions Sprint Stakes
Finally, Karl Burke returns to the scene of his only domestic Group 1 in 2026. Four months after saddling Venetian Sun to win the Commonwealth Cup, the North Yorkshire handler has added Soul Love to this contest over the same 6f course and distance. Successful in three of her last five starts, she arrives in form but is only the 13th-best horse in the race according to the official handicapper. However, the 2025 edition showed that anything can happen in this race. Sent off at odds of 200/1, the Richard & Peter Fahey-trained Powerful Glory got up close home to become the longest-priced Group 1 winner in British racing history.