Group One British Champion Fillies & Mares Stakes Guide 2022

Louis Moir | @LouisMoir99

Ascot - October 14 2022
Ascot 13:40
9(8)
Mickael Barzalona

Verry Elleegant

J: Mickael Barzalona
T: F-H Graffard
N/A
Age: 7
Weight: 9-7
OR: 113
Days: 14

Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard’s second runner in this and one that has shown signs of being a high-class performer.

She has been a multiple Group One winner in Australia, including the Melbourne Cup at Flemington in 2021. Switched when transferring to Francis-Henri Graffard and ran up to best in the Prix Foy in August.

She has not looked the horse everyone thought she was so will have to bounce back but on recent form looks like she will have to deal with yet another tough assignment.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
01/10/22LON14VSft9-47
11/09/22LON12Sft8-133
21/08/22DEA10Gd9-07
09/04/22RAN10Hy9-05
19/03/22RSH10Hy9-02
Ascot - October 14 2022
Ascot 13:40
8(5)
Gary Carroll

Thunder Kiss

J: Gary Carroll
T: G M Lyons
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-7
OR: 110
Days: 35

Defied a Group Three penalty to bring up her fifth career success in a Cork listed event on reappearance in April.

Her other rivals have achieved more in Group company so she is no threat when comparing what she has done and in terms of experience she will find it very tough out there.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
10/09/22LEO12Sft9-62
26/06/22CUR10Y/Sft9-123
08/06/22COR12Gd9-96
12/05/22YOR10.5Gd9-23
16/04/22COR12Y/Sft9-71
Ascot - October 14 2022
Ascot 13:40
1(4)
Rossa Ryan

Albaflora

J: Rossa Ryan
T: Ralph Beckett
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-7
OR: 110
Days: 34

In the colours of 2022 Arc winner Alpinista, this smart mare bolted up in a course and distance listed event on her return last year.

Ended the 2021 campaign with excellent runner-up efforts in the Yorkshire Oaks and this contest.

Has only been seen on two occasions this season and has not run to any level that would showcase why she has a chance here.

Hard to fancy.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
15/10/22ASC12GS9-78
11/09/22LON12Sft9-411
05/05/22CHS13.5GS8-135
16/10/21ASC12GS9-52
19/08/21YOR12Gd9-72
Ascot - October 14 2022
Ascot 13:40
3(12)
Oisin Orr

Insinuendo

J: Oisin Orr
T: W McCreery
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-7
OR: 107
Days: 13

Never really looked like threatening in the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp where she was fitted with a hood last time.

That did not seem to bring much out of her so she will need to rapidly improve for what will be a step up in trip.

Has it all to do like a couple in this year’s renewal.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
01/07/23CUR10Gd9-108
28/05/23CUR8Gd9-23
01/05/23CUR10Sft9-24
25/03/23CUR8Sft/Hy9-111
18/11/22BHR10Gd8-117
Ascot - October 14 2022
Ascot 13:40
4(3)
Cieren Fallon

Lilac Road

J: Cieren Fallon
T: William Haggas
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-7
OR: 111
Days: 34

Trainer William Haggas’ second string here and on who always seems to run her race. Won the Middleton at York in May and progressed well eleven weeks on in the Nassau, doing her best work near the end of the race.

Change of tactics was adopted last time out and she was just denied by Sweet Lady in the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp.

Similar performance may see her run a big race but has it all to do here.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
11/09/22LON12Sft9-42
18/08/22YOR12Gd9-94
28/07/22GOO10GF9-93
12/05/22YOR10.5Gd9-21
01/05/22NMK9GF9-05
Ascot - October 14 2022
Ascot 13:40
7(14)
Gregory Benoist

Sweet Lady

J: Gregory Benoist
T: F-H Graffard
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-7
OR: 112
Days: 34

One of two French raiders for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard and this one is a fairly smart performer. She won the Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud ½ length in May and put in a career-best performance when also winning the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp last time out.

She won by a head that day from Lilac Road who she faces again here but she won that gamely holding on to make all.

Bound to give it a bold attempt and one not right at the top of the market, therefore represents some each-way value too.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
11/09/22LON12Sft9-41
03/07/22SAI12GS8-134
24/05/22SAI10.5Sft9-01
17/04/22LON12GS9-22
23/10/21SAI10.5VSft8-91
Ascot - October 14 2022
Ascot 13:40
5(9)
W J Lee

Rosscarbery

J: W J Lee
T: P Twomey
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-7
OR: 110
Days: 34

This 4 year old daughter of Sea The Stars has been a huge success story for this particular yard as she notched up her fifth win of 2022 in the Group Three Stanerra Stakes at Leopardstown beating fellow rival Emily Dickinson by a short heady that day in July.

On her penultimate start she was a close second in the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville and travelled with plenty showing some strong looking form now looking back at it.

Ran with purpose when fourth in the Irish St Leger on latest outing but looks a tough ask for her here.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
24/08/23YOR12GF9-910
22/07/23CUR14Sft9-82
01/07/23CUR10Gd9-104
16/06/23COR12Y9-121
15/10/22ASC12GS9-75
Ascot - October 14 2022
Ascot 13:40
6(6)
Tom Marquand

Sea La Rosa

J: Tom Marquand
T: William Haggas
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-7
OR: 110
Days: 14

A very consistent filly that has shown form this year and last where she can continue in good vain.

She was victorious as she made a seamless switch to Group One company that did not seem to faze her at all when adding to her record in the Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp.

She seems to travel effortlessly in her races and is a strong traveller so drop back in trip is not a concern for her but important to mention this is a harder race for her to endure but can give it a good go.

An interesting selection for trainer William Haggas who is looking to be crowned Champion Trainer on the day.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
01/10/22LON14VSft9-41
21/08/22DEA12.5Gd9-61
30/07/22GOO14GF9-81
02/07/22HAY12Sft9-72
28/05/22HAY12Gd9-21
Ascot - October 14 2022
Ascot 13:40
2(7)
Jim Crowley

Eshaada

J: Jim Crowley
T: Roger Varian
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-7
OR: 111
Days: 37

Jockey and trainer won this race last year with this exact filly as she took a leap forward when landing this race one year ago in workmanlike fashion.

There are plenty of positives to take from all three of her starts this term but probably got outstayed by Mimikyu who she faces again here in the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster last time out.

Dropping back in trip will be sure to suit but 4 year olds do not usually win this race so she will have to be at her very best to win this race for the second year running.

Respected nonetheless.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
08/09/22DON14.5GS9-72
02/07/22HAY12Sft9-73
14/05/22NBY12Gd9-65
16/10/21ASC12GS8-131
19/08/21YOR12Gd8-127
Ascot - October 14 2022
Ascot 13:40
10(13)
Ryan Moore

Emily Dickinson

J: Ryan Moore
T: A P O'Brien
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-1
OR: 108
Days: 14

She has only one victory to her name so far in her career and that was a maiden win at Naas on good to soft ground.

Nonetheless there is some impressive looking form that ties in with her as she ran a decent effort when 1¼ lengths fourth of ten to Sea La Rosa in the Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp last time out.

Will be a surprise to see her right in the mix as the trip could be a concern for her.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
01/08/23GOO16GS9-82
22/07/23CUR14Sft9-81
22/06/23ASC20GF9-04
19/05/23LEO14Gd9-56
22/04/23NAV14Hy9-31
Ascot - October 14 2022
Ascot 13:40
12(2)
William Buick

Eternal Pearl

J: William Buick
T: Charlie Appleby
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-1
OR: 109
Days: 22

This ever improving daughter of Frankel completed a wonderful four-timer in the Princess Royal Stakes at Newmarket last time out beating Peripatetic by ¾ lengths.

She found absolutely plenty having been left to lead at the front with a bit to do. She looks to have a tremendous attitude and is very much a key player here who could well make it 5-5.

May have a whole lot left to continue to impress.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
15/10/22ASC12GS9-113
23/09/22NMK12Gd9-11
14/08/22DEA12.5GS8-111
16/07/22NMK12GF8-91
29/06/22KEM12St/Slw9-21
Ascot - October 14 2022
Ascot 13:40
13(1)
Robert Havlin

Mimikyu

J: Robert Havlin
T: John & Thady Gosden
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-1
OR: 112
Days: 37

This 3 year old daughter of Dubawi has improved massively since being fitted with a hood last time out when seeing off last year’s winner and fellow Eshaada and six other challengers in the Park Hill Stakes last month.

Her sister Journey won this race in 2016 so she cannot be ruled out and is of interest. If she improves again there may not be a lot between her and stablemate Emily Upjohn.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
08/07/23HAY12GF9-73
27/05/23YOR14GF9-72
15/10/22ASC12GS9-112
08/09/22DON14.5GS8-111
18/08/22YOR12Gd9-07
Ascot - October 14 2022
Ascot 13:40
11(10)
Frankie Dettori

Emily Upjohn

J: Frankie Dettori
T: John & Thady Gosden
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-1
OR: 115
Days: 84

An exciting 3 year old daughter of Sea The Stars who remains with high potential after a disappointing run last time out.

Looked high class when completing a hat-trick in the Musidora and was very unfortunate not to make it 4-4 when denied on the nod in the Oaks after tumbling slightly when jumping out the stalls.

She was forced wide on that occasion so on another day she would have won that with plenty left in hand. Failed to give her running in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes but she is well worth keeping onside.

Fitted with a hood for this run which should be of much assistance. Still has to be respected despite recent trouble.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
08/07/23SAN10Gd9-62
02/06/23EPS12GF8-131
15/10/22ASC12GS9-11
23/07/22ASC12GF8-96
03/06/22EPS12Gd9-22
Ascot - October 14 2022
Ascot 13:40
14(11)
David Egan

Stay Alert

J: David Egan
T: Hughie Morrison
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-1
OR: 108
Days: 28

This progressive looking filly has raced six times so far in her career winning on three occasions. She is sister to the smart 1¼m-1½m winner Star Rock and she is certainly around that level herself.

She had trouble in running last time out but managed to overcome that headway when getting up close home in the Group Three Legacy Cup at Newbury four weeks ago.

Demands respect but has to carry on improving to show she has not reached her limit.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
01/07/23CUR10Gd9-102
18/05/23YOR10.5Gd9-25
15/10/22ASC12GS9-114
17/09/22NBY11Gd8-101
02/07/22HAY12Sft8-95