Very few things are as thrilling as sheer speed and in horse racing, you won’t find many faster races than this one!
If you’re interested in British Champions Sprint Stakes betting, then consider this page to be essential reading.
Not only do we show you who the best British Sprint Championship betting sites are, but we also have expert Champions Day betting advice, and recommended betting markets!
Top 7 QIPCO Champions Sprint Stakes Betting Sites in the UK
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Bet on British Champions Sprint Stakes with 888sport
If you are looking for a top of the range British Champions Sprint Stakes betting site, check out 888sport. You can bet on all the key British Sprint Stakes markets we mention in our dedicated section and live streaming of the big race is available too. However, what really sets 888sport apart as a first-class destination for UK punters is the quality of their British Sprint Championship ante-post odds.
More often than not they had the best prices about the top sprinters, so if you are someone who puts the emphasis on finding value, we highly recommend checking 888sport out. You won’t be disappointed!
Expert Betting Advice
- Shocks Happen When betting on the British Champion Sprint Stakes don’t just focus on horses at the top of the market. As you can see in our biggest shocks section surprise results can happen. This race is particularly susceptible as it is at the end of a long season and the ground can often be very testing. So, instead of lumping on a short priced favourite think about taking a chance on a sprinter at a bigger price each way.
- Weather Watch By far and away the most influential factor on a horse’s performance levels is the ground. Some horses simply sink into soft ground while others relish it. Given the British Champions Sprint Stakes’ position on the calendar, soft or heavy ground is usually a big possibility at Ascot. Always take underfoot conditions into consideration and if you are having an ante-post bet, make sure the horse you are backing will handle softer conditions.
- Race Pace When you are weighing up the British Champions Sprint Stakes you should always check to see what sort of early pace is in the race and also where the pacemakers are drawn. If there is more than one front runner chances are they will go hard from the start and this will set the race up for a late closer. However, if there is only one front runner they could get an easy lead so make sure to check where the pace is before you have a bet.
- Trainer Form Another important thing to look out for is whether the trainer of the horse is in good form or not. The way to find out is to look back at the results of their most recent runners. If they are on the ‘Cold List’ and have gone a long time without having a winner that could mean their horses are under the weather or out of form.
Recommended QIPCO Sprint Stakes Betting Markets
The risk table below outlines some of the main QIPCO Sprint Stakes betting markets. The markets are rated in terms of risk from 1-5 with 1 being the least risky and 5 the riskiest. Some of the markets are best left to those with lots of horse racing punting experience while others are suited to beginners or novices. We recommend sticking to simple markets like win or each way if you are starting out, but once you have gained more knowledge you should check out some of the other options.
| Bet Type | Risk | Recommended for |
| Win Bet | 5 | Novice |
| Each Way | 2 | Beginner |
| Place Betting | 2 | Advanced |
| Without the Favourite | 3 | Expert |
| Match Bet | 2 | Advanced |
(*risk can be managed, not volatility)
Odds Comparison
It is vitally important to compare and contrast the British Champions Sprint Stakes betting odds on offer from different bookmakers before you put your money down. Bigger odds equal bigger returns if you do find a winning wager, so shopping around is a no brainer. As we mentioned in our top Qipco Champions Sprint bookies section, 888sport can usually be relied upon to have top quality odds for all the big races on British Champions Day, including for the sprint.
When ante-post markets are formed we will add an odds comparison table below.
British Champions Sprint Stakes Format
The British Champions Sprint Stakes is held on British Champions Day at Ascot racecourse. It is a one-day meeting that is held every year in October. It is the final big meeting of the flat season and the concluding part of the British Champion Series. With four Group 1s (including the Champion Sprint Stakes) and a Group 2 on the card, as well as the Balmoral Heritage Handicap, there is always a star-studded line up.
At Ascot there is no draw bias on the straight course, but as we outlined in our British Champions Sprint Stakes betting advice section, where the early pace is drawn is important. If you do fancy a horse on Champions Day and conditions suit, don’t be afraid to have a proper go and increase your stakes. In Group 1 races all the jockeys pull out all the stops to win and form tends to stand up better than in lower Grade races. Watch out for 3yos too, they get a very handy weight for age allowance and that is a huge plus, especially this late in the season.
British Champions Series – Sprint Races
| Race | Course/Meeting | Date |
| King’s Stand | Royal Ascot | Mid-June |
| Commonwealth Cup (3yo) | Royal Ascot | Mid-June |
| Diamond Jubilee | Royal Ascot | Mid-June |
| July Cup | Newmarket | Mid-July |
| Nunthorpe Stakes | York Ebor | Late August |
| Haydock Sprint Cup | Haydock | Early September |
| British Champions Sprint Stakes | Ascot Champions Day | Mid-October |
The race is part of the British Champions Series for sprinters along with a number of other Group 1 races. The Sprint Stakes is one of 7 different sprint races included in the series. Check out the table above to see the other races that are part of the British Champions series. If you are planning on betting on the British Champions Sprint Stakes the preceding races are all well worth watching and don’t forget to follow our expert betting advice too.
British Champions Sprint Stakes Past Winners
| Year | Winner | Odds |
| 2019 | Donjuan Triumphant | 33/1 |
| 2018 | Sands Of Mali | 28/1 |
| 2017 | Librisa Breeze | 10/1 |
| 2016 | The Tin Man | 13/2 |
| 2015 | Muhaarar | 5/2 fv |
| 2014 | Gordon Lord Byron | 5/1 jfv |
| 2013 | Slade Power | 7/1 |
| 2012 | Maarek | 5/1 |
| 2011 | Deacon Blues | 5/2 fv |
| 2010 | Lady Of The Desert | 4/1 |
- The British Champion Sprint Stakes was first run back in 1946 as the Diadem Stakes.
- The race was initially a Group 3 until it was elevated to Group 2 status in 1996 and in 2015 it was upgraded to a Group 1.
- This race is the final leg of the British Champion Sprint Series.
- Legendary jockey Lester Piggott has the most wins in this race with 7, with 4 of those coming for leading trainer Vincent O’Brien.
- Find out more about past winners in our section on the history of the Sprint Stakes.
| TIP! Previous course form at Ascot is crucial as 11 of the last 12 winners had run at least once at the track and 5 of the last 12 had a win there. |
British Champions Sprint Stakes Shocks
You don’t have to go too far back to find one of the biggest British Champions Sprint Stakes shocks. Not only was it a surprise result in 2019, it was a very emotional victory for Donjuan Triumphant and his connections. Almost a year to the day before the race his (and Leicester City’s) owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha tragically died in a helicopter crash. The bookies weren’t expecting a sentimental result though and Donjuan Triumphant was sent off at odds of 33/1.
One Master and Advertise were sent off as the joint 4/1 favourites but they couldn’t get near the Andrew-Balding-trained winner. He was held up by Silvestre de Sousa and 2 furlongs out he met trouble in running. De Sousa managed to find daylight just in time though and Donjuan Triumphant powered clear on the heavy ground to win going away. That was his last appearance on the racecourse and he is now gone to stud to hopefully sire some future British Champions Sprint stakes winners.
Race History
The winner of the inaugural British Champion Sprint Stakes was a horse called The Bug, a top notch sprinter who also won the Wokingham, July Stakes and Nunthorpe Stakes. Interestingly, his trainer Gerard Wellesley was a relative of the Duke Of Wellington. QIPCO sponsor the Sprint Stakes and have done since 2011. You can check the exact dates and start time for this year’s renewal on the official big race website.
Although the British Champion Sprint Stakes is the last big race of the season in the UK, some of the runners may go on to run in the Prix L’Abbaye in France or at the Breeders’ Cup in the USA. The 2013 and 2014 winners went on to contest the Hong Kong Sprint. For most of the field it will be their final run of the season and the focus then turns to next season’s King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.
British Champions Sprint Stakes FAQs
When is the British Champions Sprint Stakes Race? 
The British Champions Sprint Stakes race is held in October every year. Up until 2011 the race was held in September but when it was made part of the British Champion Series it was moved to October. Find out more about the schedule and some of the other races in our Sprint Stakes format section.
Where does the British Champions Sprint Stakes take place?
The British Champions Sprint Stakes is run at Ascot Racecourse. It is the final leg of the British Champions Sprint series and it is always a very competitive race. Finding the winner isn’t easy but if you look at our past winners section it might provide you with a few clues as to the profile of horse that might win in the future.
What is the best betting site for British Champions Sprint Stakes betting?
The best all round betting site for British Champions Sprint betting is bet365 in our view. The main reason we rate bet365 so highly is due to the fact that bet365 have live-betting and live streaming of the race. However, you won’t go too far wrong with any of the bookies that make our top 7 Sprint Stakes bookmakers list so make sure to check them out.
What bookmakers have the best British Champions Sprint Stakes betting odds?
Generally speaking, 888sport are one of the best bookies for getting good British Champions Sprint Stakes betting odds. As we explained in our odds comparison section it is still very important to shop around. It is the only surefire way to guarantee that you are getting the best odds possible for your QIPCO British Champions Day bets.