The shareholders of British Champions Day are delighted to announce that Qatar Holdings and Investment Company has extended its sponsorship of Britain's richest race day, staged annually at Ascot Racecourse in October, to 2028.
QIPCO has sponsored the race meeting since its inaugural running in 2011, helping to grow the fixture into one of the most prestigious days racing in the world and the only single day of racing in Britain to stage five Group 1 races. Last year's meeting saw the 2025 Longines World's Best Racehorse, Calandagan, claim victory in the Joint World's Best Horse Race of 2025, the QIPCO Champion Stakes. In 2025, QIPCO British Champions Day staged seven races for the first time, including the inaugural running of the £250,000 QIPCO British Champions Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes, won by Mission Central. Trained by Aidan O'Brien, the son of No Nay Never won the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot yesterday.
Nick Smith, Co-Chair of British Champions Series Ltd, which owns British Champions Day, and Director of Racing and Public Affairs at Ascot Racecourse, said: "We are thrilled that QIPCO has chosen to renew its sponsorship of Britain's richest race day. As an industry-owned race day, on behalf of all shareholders, we wish to extend our thanks to QIPCO for their generosity and continued support.
"Last year's renewal epitomised exactly why the day was created, an end of season celebration with world-class action and crowds of over 30,000 with many young people in attendance. We look forward to continuing to work with QIPCO over the next two years, particularly to continue to grow Club 26, the young person's racing club for 18-26-year-olds, to engage future generations in the sport."
Sophie Able, Co-Chair of British Champions Series Ltd and Newmarket Racecourses and International Director at The Jockey Club, the majority shareholder of QIPCO British Champions Day, said: "QIPCO British Champions Day has become one of the defining occasions in the British racing calendar and QIPCO's continued commitment has been instrumental in establishing the fixture across the UK and internationally.
"As shareholders in British Champions Series Ltd, we are delighted to see this partnership continue through to 2028. QIPCO's sustained support reflects our shared ambition to showcase the best of our sport, attracting new audiences through Club 26 and helping to build for the future."
David Redvers, Qatar Racing's Manager, and the sponsor's representative said: "Their Royal Highnesses Sheikhs Hamad and Fahad Al Thani are thrilled to see QIPCO British Champions Day continue to evolve since they first supported the event in 2011. Their aspirations for the day were fully realized in 2025, with a sell-out crowd and fields of exceptional strength and depth. QIPCO is committed to making a positive impact on British racing, and its innovation and continued support of QIPCO British Champions Day, alongside its backing of Club 26, showcases the meaningful contribution it is making to the sport."
QIPCO British Champions Day welcomed 31,257 racegoers to Ascot Racecourse last October. The seven race card, with a total prize fund of £4.35m, is due to take place Saturday 17th October this year.
