With less than a couple of weeks to go until QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday 19th October, fans will have to act fast if they want to secure tickets to Britain’s richest raceday as the 2019 Flat season draws to a close.
King Edward VII Enclosure and Winning Post Enclosure tickets have now completely sold out, leaving only the Queen Anne Enclosure remaining, as the final chance for fans to secure tickets looms.
With four Group 1 races, a Group 2 and Europe’s richest handicap, expect fierce competition and dramatic finishes as the best horses descend on Ascot to compete for record-breaking prize money of more than £4 million, including dual million pound bonus winner Stradivarius, who will be ridden by the evergreen Frankie Dettori.
Multi award-winning artists Basement Jaxx will be bringing Britain’s ultimate raceday to a close as they headline the official QIPCO British Champions Day after-party. The double act of Londoners Simon Ratcliffe and Felix Burton, who boast over 3 million in career album sales, will be the centrepiece of this year’s post-racing celebrations. The legendary duo, responsible for hits like Good Luck and Red Alert, will add the prestigious raceday to their ongoing list of career headline performances including the main stage of Glastonbury Festival and The Hollywood Bowl.
Movember, the official charity partner of QIPCO British Champions Series, will be bringing their ‘Man Van’ to Ascot Racecourse in their continuing quest to raise awareness about mental health, testicular cancer and various other health issues which affect men of all ages. With a men’s barber on hand, racegoers can receive a free haircut as well as a shoe shine while also having the chance to discuss any health issues. Also on board with the charity is Lavazza who have rebranded their coffees across the racecourse to include a ‘Cappuci-Mo’ and ‘Mo-cha’ and collection tins will be situated throughout Ascot Racecourse should racegoers wish to donate to the charity on the day.
QIPCO British Champions Day will see the titles of 2019 Champion Jockey and Champion Apprentice crowned. Oisin Murphy, 24, is set to become the youngest Champion Jockey since Ryan Moore in 2006. Meanwhile, the battle for Champion Apprentice is much closer and still raging on with Cieren Fallon Jr., son of former Champion Jockey Kieren Fallon, only 8 wins ahead of Sean Davis. Her Majesty the Queen will be presenting the champions with their awards.
From one queen to another… Queen of the Jungle, Georgia ‘Toff’ Toffolo is the celebrity ambassador of Great British Racing.
Speaking about being an ambassador in her SLOAN! interview with Nick McGrath, Georgia said: “It’s my dream role. I’ve loved racing for a really long time and I’m their roving reporter so I get to cover six races throughout the year including Chester, Newbury, Doncaster and Hamilton up in Scotland where I DJ-d. I’ll also be at Huntington for Ladies Day on November 23rd.”
Georgia loves her role as Great British Racing’s roving reporter. She told Nick: “It’s such a joy especially for someone like me who really loves racing. I’m fortunate that lots of my friends love it too so but I know there are lots of people who I know who would love the races who maybe haven’t thought bout going to the races. There are so many different aspects to the day. Of course the horses are beautiful, but there is great food and great music too. There really is something for everyone, at every single race meet and it’s such a privilege to try to spread that word through British Racing’s Social media channels and also mine.”
To catch Nick McGrath’s full interview with Georgia Toffolo, check out the 21st edition of SLOAN! this November.
QIPCO British Champions Day takes place on Saturday 19th October at Ascot Racecourse. For tickets go to britishchampionsday.com