Winter coming to Ascot for an all-star day of champions

STAR fillies Enable and Winter could head an allstar cast for Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot on October 21.

The winners of an incredible 83 Group One races and 16 European Classics comprise a glittering array of horses being targeted at Britain’s richest raceday — where £4.3million will be up for grabs.

All of the 10 highest-rated horses in Europe hold entries for the meeting, including Investec Oaks and King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes heroine Enable.

John Gosden’s exceptional filly, bound for the Yorkshire Oaks later this month, is in for the Qipco Champion Stakes and Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.

Meanwhile, Yucatan will have his progress monitored closely before a decision is made as to whether he is seen out again this season.

Although the three-yearold still holds an entry in next month’s William Hill St Leger at Doncaster, connections have warned that he is far from certain to run in the final British Classic of the year.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt has not run since finishing second behind stablemate Douglas Macarthur in a Group Three at Leopardstown in May after sustaining a setback before the Epsom Derby.

Alan Cooper, racing manager to owner the Niarchos Family, said: ‘He is back in full training, but Aidan O’Brien will feel his way with him and see if he is ready for another run this year or if he is better waiting until next year.

‘Hopefully he should be a good older horse.’