British Champions Day still way short of richest racedays globally

The fact that Gleneagles has the Breeders’ Cup Classic as his end-of-season target goes some way to indicating that on the global scale, British Champions Day at Ascot remains far short of the brighter lights shining abroad.

British Champions Day is regularly highlighted as the richest raceday in the British horse racing calendar and £4 million is up for grabs in prize money this year.

However, this pales into significance in comparison to other big racedays around the world, especially those outside of Europe.

In fact, certain races around the world are worth more on their own than the entirety of British Champions Day

The below graphic shows how the Ascot showpiece eclipses other British racedays that are among the more prestigious on the calendar, but also gives details on how much the prize money will have to improve to put it on par with the likes of the USA and Dubai:

And this is potentially one of the reasons why Gleneagles has been boycotting British races for much of the season.

Much of the reasoning given for his late absences on the ground being too soft, with the three-year-old withdrawn at relatively short notice from the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and York’s Juddmonte International. He hasn’t run since June.

Glenagles remains entered for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day at present, which is worth over £600,000 to winning connections.

But with the Ascot ground considered good to soft at present, it would be no surprise to see him taken out again with the Breeders’ Cup in mind.

The total prize pot for the Breeders’ Cup Classic is virtually three times that of the QEII and O’Brien has thrown ample darts at the US showpiece in the past, but is still waiting for that elusive first winner following the failings of the likes of Giant’s Causeway, Henrythenavigator and Declaration of War.

Gleneagles is currently 7/4 to win the QEII and 12/1 to land the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which would make his collection of withdrawals this season all the more acceptable.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £50 in free bets.