British Champions Day 2026 is taking place at Ascot today, 17 October 2026, featuring a seven-race card. The event includes five Group One races.
A long, dry summer extending into mid-October has contributed to a going description unlikely to include the word "soft" this year. The day could also see the Flat trainers' championship decided between Andrew Balding and Aidan O'Brien.
Andrew Balding's main hope is Kalpana in the Fillies & Mares Stakes at 2.40. Aidan O'Brien has several chances, including Gstaad in the £1.1m Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at 3.20 and Constitution River in the £1.3m Champion Stakes at 4.00.
Last year's event saw shock winners, with a 200-1 shot winning the Sprint and a 100-1 chance taking the QEII.