Much to the chagrin of many of us, including a number of horsemen likely to be involved, Champions Day at Ascot is likely to be run in bottomless conditions.
Heavy rain means the fixture looks sure to be moved onto the inner track, essentially the jumps course, once again. The decision, according to those at Ascot, will be made as early as possible as confirmations come in on Monday afternoon.
Rain, Rain, Rain as Heavy Ground is Forecast
The trend for Champions Day being run on soft and often heavy conditions continues. This fixture is yet another thing the entire sport needs to look at. Very few horses winning a championship race on fast racing ground this year will be taking part.
As of Monday afternoon, the ground was officially soft on the straight. The round course was heavy (soft in places) and the inner was soft. More rain is set to the hit the area, making the track even more testing.
Approximately 10mm of rain fell over the course on Sunday night. Races scheduled for the round course can be moved to the inner. That appears to be the case if the word “heavy” is included in the going description when final declarations are made on Thursday.
Up to 30mm of rain is expected up to race day, something certain to ensure heaving ground. The decision can be made to move to the inner course on Thursday morning but it’s unclear whether that alone with be enough to put some trainers off running.
New Champions Day Becoming a Must
If Champions Day is to remain in mid-October, then recent history tells us Ascot should not be its home. We’re in big danger of losing this day at some point given the poor ground.
Even if the fixture keeps surviving, it is becoming slow, wet and only really suitable for those with extreme stamina and/or the ability to survive in the mud. These aren’t truly championship races in such conditions.
Another option, regardless of whether the day must remain at Ascot, is to move the majority of Champions Day races to late September under a new format.
Ascot is a wonderful venue, but currently its royal meeting allied with Glorious Goodwood leads to an imbalance. Now, we have 72 races in the south of the country across two major festivals going either straight or right-handed.
Add that to Champions Day and something is amiss. A move to left-handed York in late September, adding a juvenile race would be a great move for the sport.
Charlie Appleby a Notable Champions Day Absentee
Despite being a champion trainer, a worldwide success and having the might of Godolphin behind him, Charlie Appleby won’t be saddling a runner on Champions Day. One of the reasons he won’t be involved in Champions Day, despite his obvious prowess, is the lack of a juvenile race.
He has a great team of two-year-olds this season. On Friday and Saturday last week, his team landed both major Group 1’s with Desert Flower winning the Fillies’ Mile and Shadow Of Light completing the Middle Park-Dewhurst double.
His 2000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes winner Notable Speech is absolutely being kept away from soft ground. He instead will head off to the Breeders’ Cup Mile next month in which he will be favourite.

Ancient Truth loves this ground and is on the way back but will instead head to Germany. Those two however, along with former Derby favourite Arabian Crown, are staying in training next year in a major boost for the yard.
What already looks like a great Classic team is forming. So, with the older horses staying with us, it would be no surprise to see Appleby back at Ascot in twelve months’ time, potentially as champion trainer once again.