Ascot 2:45: Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes – Contender Performance Review

The Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes stands as a premier contest on the European racing calendar, attracting a high-caliber field of contenders to Ascot. This Group 1 event serves as a pinnacle of achievement for many and a crucial test of stamina, class, and adaptability over the demanding 1 mile, 3 furlong, and 211-yard trip. This document provides a comprehensive, data-driven performance review for each contender, synthesizing career statistics, recent form, and expert insights to build a complete profile for analysis.

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1. Ballet Slippers (Draw: 3)

Ballet Slippers is a three-year-old filly from the esteemed A P O’Brien stable, boasting a remarkable pedigree as a daughter of Dubawi out of the multiple Group 1 winner Magical. This section analyzes her limited but promising career, including her key win at Ascot as a two-year-old, and provides insights on her considerable potential for improvement as she matures.

A. Contender Snapshot

Trainer	Age	Official Rating (OR)	Career Record	Total Prize Money
A P O’Brien	3	102	5 starts, 1 win, 2 places	£68,752

B. Performance Analysis

Ballet Slippers’ career is highlighted by a victory at this very course. Her sole win came at Ascot over one mile on soft ground as a two-year-old, where she demonstrated front-running tenacity to make all the running and respond well under pressure. This performance indicated a clear aptitude for both the track and yielding ground conditions.

Stepping up in class, she produced a highly creditable effort to finish third in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket. However, her return from a significant year-long layoff was a tough assignment in a Curragh Group 2, where she was “always behind” and never involved. While improvement from that run is expected, a significant step forward is required for her to be competitive in this company. A key unknown remains her stamina, as she has not yet competed over this race’s distance of 1m 3f 211y.

C. Expert Commentary & Insights

Connections hold Ballet Slippers in high regard, with jockey Ryan Moore noting her elite breeding and future potential after her Ascot win.

“Ballet Slippers has a great pedigree. She was entitled to win and will step forward. She has a great attitude and will be a nice filly next year.” – Ryan Moore, Jockey

Further analysis suggests her pedigree is a strong indicator of her ability to handle demanding conditions. Her sire, Dubawi, is noted for imparting an aptitude for softer surfaces, a factor that was “always likely” to play to her strengths in her soft-ground victory.

D. Key Career Statistics

Category	Starts	Wins	Places
Lifetime Turf Record	5	1	2
Class 1 Record	1	0	1
Course Record (Ascot)	1	1	0
Going (Soft) Record	1	1	0

In contrast to her lightly-raced stablemate, Bedtime Story brings a wealth of high-level experience to the contest.

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2. Bedtime Story (Draw: 2)

Bedtime Story, another three-year-old filly trained by A P O’Brien, brings a wealth of experience to the contest. This section evaluates her extensive two-year-old campaign, which featured four consecutive victories, her subsequent consistent performances in multiple Group 1 races across Europe, and commentary from her trainer regarding her development and stamina potential.

A. Contender Snapshot

Trainer	Age	Official Rating (OR)	Career Record	Total Prize Money
A P O’Brien	3	111	12 starts, 4 wins, 1 place	£462,955

B. Performance Analysis

Bedtime Story’s career began in blistering fashion, as she rattled off four consecutive wins as a two-year-old, culminating in a Listed victory at Ascot. This early success marked her as a high-class prospect, and she has since competed exclusively at the Group 1 level.

Her three-year-old campaign has been defined by strong placed efforts, including a third at Longchamp and a second in the French Oaks at Chantilly, a performance that form analysts suggest “can be marked up.” She has proven her stamina with a creditable third-place finish over 1m 4f, though her performance in one race on very soft ground “turned into a struggle,” raising a slight question about her effectiveness on the most testing surfaces.

C. Expert Commentary & Insights

Trainer Aidan O’Brien has been positive about the filly’s progression and her capacity to handle longer distances, particularly after her excellent run in the French Oaks.

“We’re delighted with Bedtime Story’s run, she ran a great race… She looked to get a mile and a quarter today and she could get further.” – Aidan O’Brien, Trainer

However, expert analysis notes a potential behavioral trait that may be impacting her ability to win at the highest level, observing that in some races a “failure to settle is now holding her back.”

D. Key Career Statistics

Category	Starts	Wins	Places
Lifetime Turf Record	12	4	1
Group 1 Record	8	0	1
Distance (1m 4f+) Record	2	0	1
Course Record (Ascot)	1	1	0

Our focus now shifts to a consistent older filly who thrives when conditions are demanding.

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3. Danielle (Draw: 8)

Danielle is a consistent and durable four-year-old filly from the powerful John & Thady Gosden yard. This section provides an in-depth analysis of her performance, focusing particularly on her strong affinity for soft ground, which her record clearly demonstrates, and commentary from her connections highlighting her ideal conditions.

A. Contender Snapshot

Trainer	Jockey	Age	Official Rating (OR)	Career Record	Total Prize Money
John & Thady Gosden	Oisin Murphy	4	106	10 starts, 1 win, 5 places	£121,171

B. Performance Analysis

Danielle has established herself as a reliable performer in high-quality races, consistently hitting the board in Group 2 company. Notable efforts include a strong second-place finish at Goodwood behind Waardah and a fourth at Doncaster in a competitive field.

Her most significant attribute is a clear and pronounced preference for specific ground conditions. Expert analysis highlights this strength, stating, “Her form figures on testing ground now read 122,” and that she is a “force to be reckoned with under these conditions.” This suggests that any significant ease in the ground at Ascot would play directly to her strengths. Furthermore, commentary suggests that the trip of 1m 4f on soft or heavy ground “may prove ideal,” aligning perfectly with the conditions of this race.

C. Expert Commentary & Insights

Her connections have been clear about the conditions required for her to perform at her best, reinforcing the data from her race record.

“She won on soft ground at Wetherby and loved it and we need to look for those conditions again.” – John Gosden, Joint-Trainer

This sentiment was echoed by jockey Robert Havlin following her win at Wetherby, who also confirmed her aptitude for this distance.

“She’ll stay a mile and a half no problem, and I expect that’s where the boss will be looking.” – Robert Havlin, Jockey

D. Key Career Statistics

Category	Starts	Wins	Places
Lifetime Turf Record	8	1	3
Class 1 Record	7	0	3
Distance (1m 4f) Record	4	0	1
Going (Soft/Heavy) Record	3	1	2

From a proven soft-ground specialist, we move to a filly with a formidable win record and even higher aspirations.

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4. Estrange (Draw: 1)

Estrange is a highly-regarded four-year-old from the David O’Meara stable who has quickly established herself as a top-tier performer. This section will analyze her impressive strike rate, her demonstrated preference for softer ground, and the high aspirations held by her connections, which have included discussions of a potential campaign for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

A. Contender Snapshot

Trainer	Jockey	Age	Official Rating (OR)	Career Record	Total Prize Money
David O’Meara	Daniel Tudhope	4	112	6 starts, 4 wins, 1 place	£309,749

B. Performance Analysis

With a formidable record of four wins from just six starts, Estrange has proven her quality. Her career is highlighted by a pair of victories at Haydock over 1m 4f, first in a Group 3 and then a Group 2, showcasing her class and effectiveness at this distance. Her maiden win at Doncaster further underlined her talent, where she “relished the return to testing conditions.”

Her only defeat in her last five starts was a runner-up effort in a Group 1 at York on good-to-firm ground. Expert commentary suggests this performance “shouldn’t be judged too harshly until getting back on ground with some cut in it,” indicating that her true ability is best expressed on softer surfaces. The consistent theme throughout her career is one of excelling when conditions are demanding.

C. Expert Commentary & Insights

Trainer David O’Meara has not been shy in expressing his belief in her top-level potential, even mentioning Europe’s most prestigious all-aged race as a long-term goal.

“Dare I say, if she was good enough it would be great to be considering Longchamp. She hasn’t won a Group 1 yet but she potentially is the best we’ve had.” – David O’Meara, Trainer

Her owners’ representative has also noted that there is likely more to come, suggesting, “She’s still learning and will be a better filly next year.”

D. Key Career Statistics

Category	Starts	Wins	Places
Lifetime Record	6	4	1
Class 1 Record	5	3	1
Distance (1m 4f) Record	3	2	1
Going (Soft) Record	2	2	0

The analysis now shifts to Kalpana, a filly who has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks to become a Group 1 champion.

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5. Kalpana (Draw: 7)

Kalpana is a rapidly improving four-year-old trained by Andrew Balding for the powerhouse Juddmonte operation. This section will chart her steep career trajectory, which has seen her rise from a handicap winner to a Group 1 champion. We will assess her remarkable consistency at the highest level and the strategic plans outlined by her connections for the autumn campaign.

A. Contender Snapshot

Trainer	Jockey	Age	Official Rating (OR)	Career Record	Total Prize Money
Andrew Balding	Colin Keane	4	122	13 starts, 5 wins, 7 places	£850,824

B. Performance Analysis

Kalpana’s progression has been nothing short of extraordinary. She began the 2024 season winning a Newmarket handicap off an official rating of just 78, and by October of the following year, she had captured a Group 1 victory at Ascot. This rapid ascent is a testament to her inherent quality and durability.

In 2025, she has cemented her status as a top-class middle-distance performer with a series of excellent efforts, including second-place finishes in the prestigious King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and a Group 1 at the Curragh. Her most recent second place at Kempton was accompanied by commentary suggesting there were “mitigating circumstances,” with the run serving as a prep for her main objectives: the “Arc and/or the Fillies & Mares at Ascot.”

C. Expert Commentary & Insights

Trainer Andrew Balding has expressed his astonishment at her rate of improvement, highlighting her toughness and will to win.

“I’ve never known a horse improve as much… She didn’t love the ground today but she coped with it.” – Andrew Balding, Trainer

Jockey P J McDonald believes there is still more to come, stating, “I still think Kalpana is a bit green and a bit raw. I think she’s going to continue to improve with time and age.” Juddmonte’s racing manager, Barry Mahon, added valuable insight into her ground preference, noting, “she’s probably a little bit better on softer ground.”

D. Key Career Statistics

Category	Starts	Wins	Places
Lifetime Record	13	5	7
Group 1 Record	5	1	3
Distance (1m 4f) Record	6	2	3
Course Record (Ascot)	3	1	2

Next, we assess the profile of a lightly-raced French contender who is making up for lost time.

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6. Latakia (Draw: 9)

Latakia is a French-trained four-year-old from the stable of F-H Graffard who brings a lightly-raced but progressive profile to the race. This section will assess her career, which has gained significant momentum recently, including a comfortable Group 2 victory and the ambitious future plans outlined by her trainer.

A. Contender Snapshot

Trainer	Jockey	Age	Career Record	Total Prize Money
F-H Graffard	William Buick	4	5 starts, 3 wins	£86,661

B. Performance Analysis

Latakia’s form has taken a sharp upward turn in her recent starts. After breaking her maiden, she progressed to win a Listed race at Clairefontaine before taking another significant step forward with a comfortable Group 2 win at Deauville. This victory signaled her arrival as a pattern-class performer.

Following that win, expert analysis noted, “She’s making up for lost time and won’t be out of place in Group 1 company.” She subsequently contested a Group 1 at Longchamp, where she finished a respectable fifth. It was observed that the very soft ground that day “may well have been softer than she wants,” suggesting she may be more effective on a slightly sounder surface.

C. Expert Commentary & Insights

Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard confirmed his high opinion of the filly and her talent after her Group 2 success, while outlining the next logical step in her campaign.

“She’s always a filly I liked and as you can see she’s talented… I’ll talk to the owners but I think we will go for the Group 1 Prix de Royallieu.” – Francis-Henri Graffard, Trainer

D. Key Career Statistics

Category	Starts	Wins	Places
Lifetime Record	5	3	0
Group 1 Record	1	0	0
Distance (1m 4f) Record	3	2	0
Going (Good to Soft) Record	3	2	0

The review now moves to One Look, a tough and consistent Irish-trained filly with a wealth of Group-race experience.

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7. One Look (Draw: 10)

One Look is a consistent and tough four-year-old filly trained by P Twomey, known for her admirable record in high-level races. This section will analyze her proven ability to perform under various conditions, her multiple Group-level victories, and her trainer’s comments on her development into a top-class performer.

A. Contender Snapshot

Trainer	Jockey	Age	Official Rating (OR)	Career Record	Total Prize Money
P Twomey	James Doyle	4	110	13 starts, 5 wins, 5 places	£760,420

B. Performance Analysis

One Look has a proven track record of success, highlighted by multiple Group 3 wins at the Curragh. One such victory demonstrated her effectiveness at a longer trip, where she was “suited by the step up to 1m2f.”

Beyond her wins, she has compiled a series of strong placed efforts in top company. Her recent form includes a third in a Group 1 at Longchamp and a second in a Group 2 at the Curragh, an effort which expert analysis suggests “can have her effort upgraded.” A key asset is her versatility regarding ground conditions; her statistical profile shows wins and placings on surfaces ranging from Heavy to Good, making her adaptable to whatever the raceday weather brings.

C. Expert Commentary & Insights

Trainer Paddy Twomey has praised her courage and indicated that she is now ready to compete consistently in the best races.

“She was brave today, she didn’t have the easiest passage and she won nicely at the death. Today was a sit and see. We have to step up now and look at better races.” – Paddy Twomey, Trainer

He also noted that her talent was never in doubt, and it was simply a matter of time before she fulfilled her potential.

“The ability was never in question… She’ll probably prove yet that she is that kind of filly.” – Paddy Twomey, Trainer

D. Key Career Statistics

Category	Starts	Wins	Places
Lifetime Record	13	5	5
Group 1/2 Record	4	0	3
Distance (1m 2f) Record	3	1	2

Our focus now shifts to Quisisana, a mare who put together an impressive winning streak en route to the top level.

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8. Quisisana (Draw: 5)

Quisisana is a five-year-old mare, also trained by F-H Graffard, who brings a potent combination of class and versatility. This section will examine her impressive four-race winning streak that culminated in a Group 1 victory, her adaptability, and the high regard in which she is held by her trainer.

A. Contender Snapshot

Trainer	Jockey	Age	Career Record	Total Prize Money
F-H Graffard	Mickael Barzalona	5	9 starts, 6 wins, 1 place	£277,971

B. Performance Analysis

Quisisana entered the top tier of European middle-distance mares on the back of a dominant four-race winning streak. This sequence culminated in a ready Group 1 victory at Deauville over 1m 2f, where she displayed a decisive turn of foot. It was noted that this was a “‘win and you’re in’ race for the Arc, and that seemed the likely target.”

Her subsequent run in a Group 1 at Longchamp saw her finish ninth. However, there were clear mitigating factors for the performance, with analysis stating she “found the ground had gone against her” and “couldn’t quicken… like she can on a sounder surface.” This suggests she is most effective when she can use her acceleration on less testing ground.

C. Expert Commentary & Insights

Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard revealed his long-held belief in the mare’s ability, expressing his satisfaction that she was finally able to showcase her true talent.

“I was very frustrated we had to stop her campaign and I pushed Monsieur Winter hard to keep her in training this year, because I felt she was yet to achieve what her talent deserved… She’s a really good mare.” – Francis-Henri Graffard, Trainer

D. Key Career Statistics

Category	Starts	Wins	Places
Lifetime Record	9	6	1
Group 1 Record	2	1	0
Distance (1m 2f) Record	4	3	0
Career Win %	67%

Next, we analyze Waardah, a rapidly progressing three-year-old who has shown a distinct liking for testing stamina.

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9. Waardah (Draw: 4)

Waardah is a rapidly progressing three-year-old trained by Owen Burrows, who has shown significant improvement with each race. This section will evaluate her unbeaten record at Goodwood, her proven stamina over longer distances, and her trainer’s positive assessment of her potential and honest attitude.

A. Contender Snapshot

Trainer	Jockey	Age	Official Rating (OR)	Career Record	Total Prize Money
Owen Burrows	Callum Rodriguez	3	107	5 starts, 3 wins	£218,146

B. Performance Analysis

Waardah’s career has been defined by her success at Goodwood, where she is unbeaten in two starts. Her victories there came first in a Listed race over 1m 2f and then, more impressively, in a Group 2 contest over 1m 6f, demonstrating both class and stamina.

The Group 2 victory was described as her “best effort upped in trip,” and she was lauded as “the type to win again at this level.” While her wins have come with some ease in the ground (“Suited by some cut in the ground”), analysts believe there is “no reason why she won’t be as effective on quicker ground,” highlighting her potential versatility.

C. Expert Commentary & Insights

Trainer Owen Burrows has been impressed with the filly’s attitude and determination, particularly in her Group 2 win.

“I thought she was very honest when the second horse came to her… she’s an exciting filly.” – Owen Burrows, Trainer

He also revealed a shrewd piece of placement, explaining that a favorable weather forecast prompted her entry in the Listed race she won.

“I saw the forecast and I thought it’d be worth giving Waardah an entry in this. Luckily, the rain’s came.” – Owen Burrows, Trainer

D. Key Career Statistics

Category	Starts	Wins	Places
Lifetime Turf Record	4	3	0
Class 1 Record	3	2	0
Winning Distances	1m, 1m2f, 1m6f	–	–
Going (Soft/GS) Record	4	3	0

We conclude with a review of a filly who has consistently competed at the very highest level and boasts strong Classic form.

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10. Wemightakedlongway (Draw: 6)

Wemightakedlongway is a tough and consistent three-year-old filly from the Joseph Patrick O’Brien stable. This section will analyze her series of strong performances in top-level Group 1 races across Europe and the commentary from her connections regarding her optimal trip and future targets.

A. Contender Snapshot

Trainer	Jockey	Age	Official Rating (OR)	Career Record	Total Prize Money
Joseph Patrick O’Brien	Dylan Browne McMonagle	3	110	9 starts, 2 wins, 2 places	£190,262

B. Performance Analysis

Wemightakedlongway has proven herself to be a very high-class filly through a series of excellent placed efforts in Group 1 company. Her resume includes a second-place finish in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh and fourth-place finishes in the Oaks at Epsom and a Group 1 at Longchamp, demonstrating she can compete effectively at the highest level.

Expert analysis consistently suggests that her best form will be seen over this trip. After one run over 1m 2f, it was noted that she “finished better than anything… can do even better back at 1m4f.” This view was reinforced after another placed effort, with commentary stating, “The return to 1m4f… could suit.” Her sole Group victory came in a Group 3 at Navan, where she employed front-running tactics to great effect.

C. Expert Commentary & Insights

Interestingly, trainer Joseph O’Brien has expressed some reservations about her stamina, which contrasts with the analysis of her race performances.

“The Pretty Polly at the Curragh is the race we’re really building towards. She’s out of a No Nay Never mare, so she just wouldn’t be guaranteed to go a mile and a half.” – Joseph O’Brien, Trainer

This creates a fascinating dynamic where expert form analysis points towards 1m 4f as her ideal distance, while her own trainer has noted pedigree-based stamina concerns. Her strong second in the Irish Oaks over this trip would appear to support the former view.

D. Key Career Statistics

Category	Starts	Wins	Places
Lifetime Record	9	2	2
Group 1 Record	4	0	1
Distance (1m 4f) Record	2	0	1