Rounded off nicely with Mr Professor 33/1-8/1 then noticeably weak out to 14/1. Like James's Delight earlier in the day (also a similar market drifter) should have loved the ground, but runs like a carthorse. If horses who on all known evidence should like the ground run like that what chance have you got?

I could not back a horse trained by Raphael Freire how ever much the formbook said it had a chance.

Whole card needs downgrading to G2 status imvho.
The prize money is mind boggling and ought to be put elsewhere.

The idea of this mega 'champions days' in flat racing presumably caught on with the success of the Dubai World Cup, Breeders Cup and the enlargement of the cheltenham festival.
I remember when it all came about in 2011. It was back in the days when the Irish racing was on ATR. I recall one of their discussion programs led by Gary O'Brien. Think Johnny Murtagh was on it. Anyway everyone was having a great laugh about the fact that Horse Racing Ireland had announced their 'Champions day' for mid september, which was always the date for the Irish Champion Stakes.

The word was that the British Horse Racing Authority had dithered, letting the Irish get first run as it were. The BHA had been stymied by the date of the Leger in mid september. Late September would have meant the supposed 'show piece' Champion Stakes would have been a week before the Arc. Which would probably mean a small field of G2 horses at best. Any earlier would have meant a clash with the York International.

The old Newmarket Champion stakes was run on Cesarewitch day I believe. A week earlier than it is now. And in the east of the country, so far less susceptible to the vagaries of bad ground which seems to be the norm for this meet.

I also am reminded of Pricewise Tom Segal confidently predicting that ten years on the Ascot Champions Stakes would be bigger than the Arc.
Dont think so.
Nick Mordin on the other hand bemoaned this trend of lumping together as many G1 races as possible. He pointed to the Japanese model which liked to have one big race as the highlight, spread over many weekends.
Given that the Land of The Rising Sun arguably produces the best turf horse in the world at the moment and stands at least as good a chance as Coolmore of capturing the Breeders CUp in a couple of week, I think I know which I prefer.

im certain the qe11 was group2 in the 80s , royal ascot itself had only the gold cup as group1 , goodwood didnt have any in the 70s 80s  theres far too much now

quick ransom won 26th  sept 1992 12 furlongs won by a head in soft ridden by D McKEOWN  BEATING LIFT AND LOAD , it would have been the qe11 meeting

ps 14/1