Champions Day at Ascot is a favourite with horse racing punters in the UK. One of the most popular races is the British Champions Fillies’ and Mare Stakes, a 12f Group contest for the ladies.
If you want the best odds, the best offers and expert British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes betting advice it is simple…just keep on reading!
Top 9 QIPCO Fillies’ and Mares’ Betting Sites in the UK
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Bet on British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes with William Hill
For most UK horse racing punters, William Hill needs no introduction. This is one of Britain’s most established bookmakers and William Hill are a superb choice for anyone who wants to partake in British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes betting.
Not only do William Hill have quality odds for the race, but there is also every chance they will be paying out on an extra place e/w if it is a decent-sized field. You can even boost the odds of your big race fancy and live streaming of every race on British Champions Day is available too.
Recommended Fillies’ and Mares’ Betting Markets
In this section, we look at some of the most important Qipco British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes markets. If you look at the handy table below you can see some of the options available to punters and we recommend whether the markets are more suitable for beginners, novices or experts. We also indicate the risk level associated with each wager type on a scale of 1-5, with 1 being the least risky and 5 the riskiest.
| Wager Type | Risk Level (1-5) | Suitable For |
| Win | 5 | Novice |
| Each Way | 2 | Beginner |
| Place | 2 | Advanced |
| Forecast/Tricast | 5 | Expert |
| Without The Favourite | 3 | Advanced |
(*risk can be managed, not volatility)
Betting Advice
- Suitability of Ground – British Champions Day is held at a time of the year when the summer has long gone. This means that the ground is likely to be vastly different than it was for Group 1 races earlier in the season. For example, the 2012 winner Madame Chiang was well beaten in the Oaks at Epsom on good ground. However, it was heavy for the British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes and she won by 2 lengths at 12/1.
- Youth Usually Beats Experience – The British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes has been dominated by younger horses in the last few seasons. 11 of the last 12 winners were aged either 3yo or 4yo and the only mare to buck that trend was 5yo Crystal Capella in 2010. Incidentally, she was winning the race for a second time, one of just two horses to achieve the double in this famous race.
- Focus On Quality – Since 2008 the cream has, more often than not, risen to the top in the British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes. Of the twelve winners between 2008-2019 ten were rated 109 or higher. This suggests that it pays to focus on horses that have proved they belong at the top table. This is backed up by the fact that only two horses have won the race at double figure odds in the last dozen renewals (find out more in our big race shocks section). Only two outright favourites have won in that period too though, so don’t just focus on the market leader.
- Top Trainers Dominate – When you look at our list of previous British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes winners you will see that big-name trainers dominate. Since 2008 only John Gosden (2), Michael Stoute (2) and Aidan O’Brien (2) have won the race more than once. So, when you see runners from any of those stables you should always look very closely at them before you have your bet. Joseph and Donnacha O’Brien’s runners will be worth considering too in future renewals given the firepower at their disposal.
Odds Comparison
No British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes odds were available at the time of writing. Generally speaking, the bookies that are on our top 9 list are usually up there when it comes to odds for this race. If we had to pick one bookie that consistently have the best odds for the race it would be Unibet.
As ever though, our advice is to shop around. Finding the best odds for your Fillies and Mares Stakes bets should be your number one priority. If you don’t put in the effort it will hit you directly in the pocket because the bigger the odds you secure, the more you’ll collect if your wager is a winning one.
Once odds for the race become available we will post an odds comparison table to demonstrate the variation in prices between bookies.
Event Format
The British Champions Fillies’ and Mare Stakes is held on a one-day meeting at Ascot Racecourse. The race is run in October and it is open to fillies and mares aged 3yo or older. It is the closing race in the Fillies and Mares division of the British Champions Series and the trip is 1 mile 4 furlongs. Check out the other races in the series in the table below…
| Race | Venue | Date |
| 1000 Guineas | Newmarket | Early-May |
| Epsom Oaks | Epsom | Early-June |
| Coronation Stakes | Ascot | Mid-June |
| Falmouth Stakes | Newmarket | Mid-July |
| Nassau Stakes | Goodwood | Early August |
| Yorkshire Oaks | York | Mid/Late August |
| British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes | Ascot | Mid-October |
Although the prize fund was reduced in 2020, the winner of the race takes usually takes home over £300k. Like most of the races in the Champions Series, horses tend to be trying for their lives. So, if you do have a very confident fancy and conditions are suitable, don’t be afraid to increase your stake and have a proper go. Make sure you choose one of the less risky options from our markets section though!
Bookmakers are more likely to accept bigger bets for races of this nature too. The winners of this race tend to go on to run at the Breeders’ Cup or in Hong Kong, if they aren’t retired to stud.
Past Winners
| Year | Winner | Trainer/Jockey |
| 2019 | Star Catcher | Gosden/Dettori |
| 2018 | Magical | A O’Brien/Moore |
| 2017 | Hydrangea | A O’Brien/Moore |
| 2016 | Journey | Gosden/Dettori |
| 2015 | Simple Verse | Beckett/Atzeni |
| 2014 | Madame Chiang | Simcock/Crowley |
| 2013 | Seal Of Approval | Fanshawe/Baker |
| 2012 | Sapphire | Weld/Smullen |
| 2011 | Dancing Rain | Haggas/Murtagh |
| 2010 | Crystal Capella | Stoute/Moore |
- Only two horses have won this race more than once, Crystal Capella (2008,2010) and Shebeen (1974/1975).
- Legendary pilot Lester Piggott leads the way with an incredible 8 wins in the race stretching between 1959 and 1984.
- Look out for the green and red Aga Khan silks in this race as they are the leading owners with 4 wins.
- You can see more interesting facts about the race in our big race history section.
| 💡 British Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes Trivia: Ouija Board is one of the most influential, and arguably most talented, winners of this race. Her son Australia won the Epsom Derby and stands at stud for Coolmore. |
The History of the British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes
The QICPO British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes is part of the British Champions Day card, the final major flat meeting of the season in the UK. The inaugural running of this particular contest was in 1946 when the race was known as the Princess Royal Stakes. If you fancy a day at the races or are looking for any information you can find lots of useful resources on the official race website.
Trainers will aim certain horses at this race due to the likelihood of soft or heavy ground. In comparison to Epsom or Royal Ascot during the summer, the chances of the ground being good to firm are minimal. Unfortunately, the very best middle-distance horses tend to swerve the race and go for the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe instead (Enable for example). Some of the competitors will go on to run at the Breeders’ Cup in November but most either retire or go on holidays until the following season.
British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes Shock Results
In recent seasons shock results in the British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ stakes have been few and far between. The biggest priced winner in the past decade was 16/1 shot Seal Of Approval in 2013. Trained by James Fanshawe and ridden by George Baker, this 4yo filly was rated just 99 coming into the race. Oaks winner Talent was the favourite with a rating of 114 and she was also getting weight from Seal Of Approval due to the 3yo allowance.
James Fanshawe’s filly fell on her previous start in the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster which probably explains why she went off at such a big price. It was her first time on soft ground too for the daughter of Motivator. However, she didn’t know her odds and she relished the easy conditions to scoot clear and win by 4L. She couldn’t repeat the trick the following year though and she is now a broodmare.
British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes FAQs
When is the British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes Race? 
The British Champion Fillies’ and Mares Stakes is held on Qipco Champions Day in October. It is the final Group 1 race of the season and because of its position on the calendar, the ground can often be testing. Check out our expert betting advice section to see why this should always be considered before you have a bet on the race.
Where does the QIPCO Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes take place?
The QIPCO Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes is held at Ascot racecourse in the UK. It has had a couple of short spells at Newmarket racecourse too but at the present time Ascot hosts the race. It is part of the British Champions Series and you can check out the other races in the series in our event format section.
What bookmaker has the best British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes betting odds?
As we already outlined in our odds comparison section, Unibet are probably the number one bookie for Champions Fillies’ and Mares Stakes odds. However, we cannot guarantee that they will be best price about every single horse in the race. So, if you fancy one you should check as many bookies as possible to ensure you are getting the value.
What is the best betting site for Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes betting?
In our view the best British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes betting site is William Hill. As you will see in our top 9 bookies section William Hill have a number of positive features that enhance your experience when betting on all the races on Champions Day, including the QIPCO Champion Stakes.