The Unforgettable Day at Ascot racing news
British Champions Day at Ascot racing news will be remembered for one of the biggest upsets in horse racing history. Powerful Glory stormed home at odds of 200-1, becoming the longest-priced winner of a Group One race in Britain. Only hours later, Cicero’s Gift stunned the crowd with a 100-1 victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. For punters and racing fans, it was a reminder that at Ascot, the unexpected is always waiting. If you are passionate about sports make sure to read our Sports Betting Guide to help you bet smarter.
Powerful Glory Creates History at Ascot Racing
Trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by Jamie Spencer, Powerful Glory had been dismissed by most observers after a poor run of form earlier this season. Yet in the Champions Sprint Stakes Ascot racing news, the horse surged late to beat favourite Lazzat by a neck. Quinault, another outsider at 66-1, finished third.
Champions Sprint Stakes Results
| Position | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Powerful Glory | 200-1 | Jamie Spencer | Richard Fahey |
| 2nd | Lazzat | 2-1 | William Buick | Charlie Appleby |
| 3rd | Quinault | 66-1 | Ryan Moore | George Boughey |
Spencer admitted he thought he would only place before a late surge gave him victory. “I thought I had no chance and then suddenly the race opened up. It is surreal.”
Cicero’s Gift Adds Another Shock
Not long after, the drama repeated. Cicero’s Gift, trained by Charlie Hills and ridden by Jason Watson, claimed the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at odds of 100-1 Ascot racing news. For Watson, who had not won a Group One race since 2019, the moment was emotional. He finished ahead of The Lion In Winter and Alakazi, both heavily backed horses.
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Results
| Position | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Cicero’s Gift | 100-1 | Jason Watson | Charlie Hills |
| 2nd | The Lion In Winter | 3-1 | Frankie Dettori | John Gosden |
| 3rd | Alakazi | 5-1 | Hollie Doyle | Roger Varian |
Watson was tearful after the win: “This is everything. After years of setbacks, to win again at this level is overwhelming.”
Calandagan Wins the Champion Stakes
Away from the shocks, Calandagan delivered on expectations by winning the Champion Stakes. Ridden by Mickael Barzalona for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, the French horse beat Ombudsman by two and a quarter lengths.
Calandagan had already won the King George at Ascot earlier in the year, further cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s top middle-distance horses Ascot racing news.
Champion Stakes Results
| Position | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Calandagan | 15-8 | Mickael Barzalona | Francis-Henri Graffard |
| 2nd | Ombudsman | 7-2 | James Doyle | John & Thady Gosden |
| 3rd | Almaqam | 8-1 | Christophe Soumillon | Aidan O’Brien |
Barzalona praised his horse: “He is a joy to ride, always improving, and he has the heart of a champion.”
Trainer and Owner Reactions
Richard Fahey admitted he had considered betting on his own horse. “When I saw Powerful Glory at 200-1, I nearly had a punt. I knew he had ability. We have finally seen the real horse today.”
Powerful Glory, owned by Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, collected almost £320,000 in prize money, highlighting the financial scale of Ascot racing news.
Graffard, trainer of Calandagan, added: “This is a special horse. To win the Arc and then the Champion Stakes in the same season shows his quality.”
Other Ascot racing news
While the long-odds shocks stole the headlines, there were several other big stories:
British Champions Day Major Winners
| Race | Winner | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champion Stakes | Calandagan | M. Barzalona | F-H Graffard |
| Champions Sprint Stakes | Powerful Glory | J. Spencer | R. Fahey |
| Queen Elizabeth II Stakes | Cicero’s Gift | J. Watson | C. Hills |
| Long Distance Cup | Trawlerman | Frankie Dettori | John & Thady Gosden |
| Fillies & Mares Stakes | Kalpana | Colin Keane | Andrew Balding |
Oisin Murphy’s Redemption Story
One of the emotional side stories was Oisin Murphy securing his fifth Champion Jockey crown. Earlier this year, Murphy was fined £70,000 and banned for 20 months after a drink-driving incident. Standing tall after those setbacks, he said: “I had to prove I could still perform under pressure. This title means more because of what I have been through.”
Why Ascot 2025 Will Be Remembered
The 2025 Champions Day Ascot racing news will not only go down as one of the richest but also one of the most unpredictable race days in recent memory. Powerful Glory’s 200-1 win set a new record, Cicero’s Gift followed with a 100-1 shock, and established names like Calandagan showed why Ascot remains the pinnacle of flat racing.
For bettors, trainers, and fans, it was a reminder that in horse racing, certainty does not exist. The underdogs can have their day, and on this occasion, they stole the spotlight.
Last updated: October 30, 2025 | Expert Reviewed by Felipe Morgante, Gaming Industry Analyst
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