Syndicate Stars Out For Champions Day Glory

Features | 13^th October 2022

Hambleton Racing star TEMPUS heads a strong cast of syndicate owned horses all gunning for glory on QIPCO British Champions’ Day at Ascot on Saturday.

TEMPUS

A dual Group 3 winner this season, Archie Watson’s six-year-old steps up to the highest level for the first time in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over the straight mile, just two years after Glen Shiel gave Hambleton’s owners a day to remember in the Champions’ Sprint.

Simon Turner, Director of Racing for Hambleton, says: “It will be amazing to have another runner in a Group 1 on Champions Day so soon after Glen’s brilliant win. One of the shareholders in Tempus also had a share in him so he can’t believe his luck and four of his owners have been with us for 10 years.

“Tempus has been a real trailblazing horse for us this season, winning a big handicap at Ascot before taking two Group races and was unlucky not to win the Group 2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket last time,” he adds.

“He loves Ascot and will be effective on the ground so our owners are expecting a big run. He’s the highest rated syndicate owned horse in training which highlights what an amazing story his is having been bought for just 25,000gns.”

RAISING SAND

Another northern based syndication outfit dreaming of Champions’ Day success is Nick Bradley Racing, whose veteran miler Raising Sand is among the entries for the valuable Balmoral Handicap.

Five times a winner at Ascot, the 10-year-old bounced back to form last month with a Racing League victory at Newcastle and a course and distance success two weeks later.

“He’s in the form of his life but we’ll just need a bit of luck to make the cut,” says Nick Bradley. “We did consider supplementing him for the Queen Elizabeth II but he’s very well handicapped so we’re expecting a big performance in the Balmoral if he gets in.”

ATRIUM

Guaranteed a run in the valuable mile handicap is Highclere Racing’s progressive three-year-old Atrium, who is among the ante-post favourites. Charlie Fellowes’ course and distance winner is chasing a hat-trick for Highclere’s Pergola Syndicate after back-to-back wins at Newbury and Doncaster.

DUAL IDENTITY

Raising Sand and Atrium are joined among the Balmoral entries by Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds’ Dual Identity who followed up his Sandown win with a solid third in the Cambridgeshire for trainer William Knight.

The winner of three races this season, Dual Identity carries the same familiar blue silks as Sir Busker, who finished fourth for Kennet Valley’s shareholders in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions’ Day two years ago.

VENTURA DIAMOND

Fresh from their success in the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye in France with The Platinum Queen, Middleham Park Racing bid for another top-level sprint success with Ventura Diamond. Richard Fahey’s filly is an outsider in the Champions’ Sprint but has already given her owners plenty of fun by making the frame in two Listed races this season.

Hambleton’s Simon Turner speaks for all the syndicates when he adds: “Whatever happens on Saturday syndicate owners are going to enjoy an unforgettable experience. Two years ago the unimaginable happened when Glen won the Sprint so you never know. Our owners are absolutely buzzing to have another runner on one of the biggest days of the year, whatever the outcome.”