Qatar Racing Champion Stakes (Group 1)

Six go to post for the Champion Stakes over a 1m2f trip, small in number but dripping in quality.

Calandagan hasn’t quite captured the imagination as he did last year, when his performances on the track earned him consideration as the world’s best racehorse. In 2025, he broke a four-second sequence in Group 1 events, putting together a string of four wins. This year he began at Meydan in the Sheema Classic, continuing where he left off, winning again. Then at Epsom, for the Coronation Cup, he trailed in 42L behind the winner; soft ground was the culprit. The wheels were back on the bus in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud when returning to winning ways, but at Ascot last time out in the King George, he was beaten again.

Ombudsman finished second to Clanadagan here last year. He also started at Meydan this year, in the Dubai Turf, finishing back in the winners’ enclosure. Sandown followed, as did the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, continuing a winning streak, but at York in the International last time out he could only finish fourth, beaten 4¾L. Devil’s Advocate will act as a pacemaker for him.

Constitution River looked a really good horse at Chantilly, winning the Prix du Jockey Club, and then a superstar at Sandown in the Eclipse; then at York in the International and again at Leopardstown in the Irish Champion Stakes, he could only finish third,

Constitution River at Leopardstown

Almaqam hit the dartboard at the Curragh in the Tattersalls Gold Cup to capture his first G1. He ran at Royal Ascot behind Ombudsman, finishing fourth, beaten 7½L. He then put in his best run of the season in the International at York, finishing second, only beaten a head by Item. Last time out, he ran fourth, beaten 2L at Leopardstown in the Irish Champion Stakes.

Bay City Roller finished behind Almaqam at the Curragh in the Tattersalls, then won the Coronation Cup at Epsom and went down a 1¾L second to Daryz in the Prix Foy and then again second to Daryz, beaten 1¼L in the Arc.

Almaqam beating Bay City Roller at the Curragh in May

Conclusion

Ombudsman heads the market at 7/4, with Calandagan trading at 9/4. Constitution River is a 5/1 shot, with Bay City Roller next at 15/2. Alamqam is available at 10/1.

There are five very high-class horses here, but there are holes in the bucket for all of them. All of them are coming here after defeats in their last run. They are relying on reputation.

Reputations don’t win races.

Ombudsman was beaten fair and square at York, so too was Calandagan at Ascot. Constitution River was better at Leopardstown than he was at York, but he was also beaten fair and square, as was Almaqam. Bay City Roller was also beaten fair and square the last two times; however, he was beaten by Daryz, the best horse in the world this year, coming second to him, particularly last time in the Arc, where he had to overcome a wide draw is the best form one coming into this. He’s the one to back.

Recommendation

Bay City Roller 15/2 win