Three QIPCO British Champions Series races have been named in the World’s top 10 contests of 2021, in the Longines World’s Best Horserace rankings.
The 10th anniversary running of QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot in 2021 was the only raceday to have two races in the World’s top 10, with the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO) and the QIPCO Champion Stakes in tied sixth position. The former was rated the best mile race in the world and saw an enthralling duel between Baaeed and Palace Pier, while French raider Sealiway emerged victorious in the latter, which was also the richest race in the UK last year.
The King George VII & Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes at Ascot, which is part of the Middle Distance category of the QIPCO British Champions Series and saw powerhouse Adayar pull away from the likes of Mishriff and Love, was third in the rankings and the highest-rated race in the UK this time.
The Gold Cup at Ascot, part of the Long Distance category of the QIPCO British Champions Series and won in 2021 by Subjectivist, was the top-rated race in the World in the extended distance category.
The top 10 of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse rankings were dominated by horses that competed in 2021’s QIPCO British Champions Series, with five Series competitors in the top 10.
Three QIPCO British Champions Series horses shared the runner-up spot with a rating of 127 in Adayar, the first horse to complete the Cazoo Derby and King George VI & Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes double in 20 years, runaway Juddmonte International victor Mishriff and comfortable Coral-Eclipse winner St Mark’s Basilica.
The unbeaten Baaeed and Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury winner Palace Pier shared sixth spot alongside Torquator Tasso (Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe) and Golden Sixty (Longines Hong Kong Mile) with a rating of 125.
The 2022 QIPCO British Champions Series begins with the first British Classic of the year, the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday 30th April.
About QIPCO British Champions Series:
QIPCO British Champions Series showcases 35 of the UK’s finest Flat races, including three of the world’s top 10. The Series features at all of the UK’s most iconic Flat festivals, from the Derby and St Leger, to Glorious Goodwood and Royal Ascot, presenting unparalleled, quality racing across 10 of the country’s finest racecourses.
The Series includes world-class sporting action across five different categories – Sprint, Mile, Middle Distance, Long Distance and Fillies & Mares.
Five top-class races mark the climax of the Series on the Ultimate Raceday, QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday 15th October, where the world’s best compete at the nation’s richest raceday.
Put simply, QIPCO British Champions Series shines the spotlight on the best horses, the best jockeys and the best racecourses, so that millions worldwide can follow the finest Flat racing.
For more info on QIPCO British Champions Series and Day visit britishchampionsseries.com
