|}
The British Champions Sprint Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.
History
The event was established in 1946, and it was originally called the Diadem Stakes. It was named after Diadem (foaled 1914), a winner of several of Ascot's leading races. For a period it was staged in October, and it later moved to September.
The current system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and the Diadem Stakes initially held Group 3 status. It was promoted to Group 2 level in 1996. It had a prize fund of £100,000 in 2010.
The race was given its present name and switched to October in 2011. It became part of the newly created British Champions Day, and its purse was increased to £250,000. It now serves as the sprint-category final of the British Champions Series. The race was upgraded to Group 1 status from its 2015 running.
Records
Most successful horse (2 wins): Set Fair – 1952, 1954 Jack and Jill – 1958, 1959
Leading jockey (7 wins): Lester Piggott – Abergwaun (1971), Home Guard (1972), Saritamer (1974), Swingtime (1975, dead-heat), Absalom (1979), Moorestyle (1981), Salieri (1983)
Leading trainer (4 wins): Walter Nightingall – Set Fair (1952, 1954), Jack and Jill (1958, 1959) Vincent O'Brien – Abergwaun (1971), Home Guard (1972), Saritamer (1974), Swingtime (1975, dead-heat)
Winners since 1979
Earlier winners
1946: The Bug
1947: Djelal
1948: Combined Operations
1949: Solonaway
1950: Abadan
1951: Ki Ming
1952: Set Fair
1953: Rose Coral
1954: Set Fair
1955: Pappa Fourway
1956: King Bruce
1957: Arcandy
1958: Jack and Jill
1959: Jack and Jill
1960: Zanzibar
1961: Satan
1962: La Belle
1963: Sammy Davis
1964: Ampney Princess
1965: Majority Blue
1966: Lucasland
1967: Great Bear
1968: Secret Ray
1969: Song
1970: Realm
1971: Abergwaun
1972: Home Guard
1973: Boldboy
1974: Saritamer
1975: Roman Warrior / Swingtime
1976: Honeyblest
1977: Gentilhombre
1978: Creetown
See also
Horseracing in Great Britain
List of British flat horse races
Recurring sporting events established in 1946 – this race is included under its original title, Diadem Stakes.
References
Paris-Turf: , , , , , , , ,
Racing Post: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
galopp-sieger.de – Diadem Stakes. horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – British Champions Sprint Stakes (2018). pedigreequery.com – Diadem Stakes – Ascot.