Emirates Airline Champion Stakes Attracts A Sensational Entry

The Group One Emirates Airline Champion Stakes, run over 10 furlongs on Newmarket´s NatWest Rowley Mile course on Champions Day, Saturday, October 14, is Britain´s premier end of season all-age middle distance championship and has attracted an exceptional 74-strong entry.

Amongst the entries are last year´s victor David Junior, all of the first four British classic winners - George Washington, Speciosa, Sir Percy and Alexandrova - plus Hurricane Run, officially rated the best horse in the world in 2005 and currently heading the 2006 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings.

The Brian Meehan-trained David Junior took the 2005 Emirates Airline Champion Stakes by three quarters of a length from Pride, and has since captured the Group One Dubai Duty Free at Nad Al Sheba and the Group One Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown. He could be joined by stablemate Red Rocks.

Vodafone Derby hero Sir Percy may represent trainer Marcus Tregoning who took this race with Nayef in 2001, while Epsom third Hala Bek could line up for Michael Jarvis, who saddled Rakti to victory in 2003.

Sir Michael Stoute has won the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes twice with Pilsudski (1997) and Kalanisi (2000) and he has six entered this time.

The Freemason Lodge sextet is headed by Group Two Hardwicke Stakes winner Maraahel, who could be joined by fellow Group Two victors Papal Bull, Best Alibi and Rob Roy, Coral Eclipse Stakes runner-up Notnowcato, and Group Three winner Notable Guest.

Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor is yet to secure a win in Newmarket´s autumn showpiece, but he has entered 13 individuals as he attempts to break his duck.

The Godolphin flag-bearer in 2006 has been Group One Dubai World Cup winner Electrocutionist, who was a valiant half-length runner-up in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes. He is side-lined with an injury but connections have earmarked the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes as his comeback target. The exciting Librettist, successful in the Group One Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday, looks to be Godolphin´s other principal contender.

Bin Suroor has also entered Imperial Stride, not seen since completing a four-timer in the Group Three September Stakes at Newmarket on September 3, and another longtime absentee Proclamation, who landed the Group One Cantor Spreadfair Sussex Stakes last term.

The Godolphin entry also includes Group One winners Gonbarda and Cherry Mix, Group Two winners Pinson and Perfectperformance, Belenus, Echo Of Light and Ashaawes.

Speciosa, the darling of the NatWest Rowley Mile in May following her Stan James 1000 Guineas triumph, could bid to be the first filly to combine success in the first fillies´ classic with Emirates Airline Champion Stakes glory since Bosra Sham in 1996.

Sir Mark Prescott sent out Alborada to become the 12th dual winner of the race with victories in 1998 and 1999, and the trainer could run the Cheveley Park Stud-owned Prix de Diane winner Confidential Lady.

Oaks d´Italia winner Dionisia may represent Luca Cumani, along with Vol de Nuit.

Rajeem, successful in the Group One UAE Equestrian & Racing Federation Falmouth Stakes in July for trainer Clive Brittain, could renew rivalry with the runner-up that day, the John Gosden-trained Nannina, who is a dual-Group One winner, having landed the Meon Valley Stud Fillies´ Mile and the Coronation Stakes.

Barry Hills is seekng his fourth success in the race following Cormorant Wood (1983), Storming Home (2002), and Haafhd (2004) and he has entered the smart pair Olympian Odyssey and Killybegs.

James Fanshawe could ask crack miler Soviet Song to attempt the 10-furlong trip, while Jeremy Noseda may do the same with St James´ Palace Stakes winner Araafa.

Lord Derby´s star mare Ouija Board could renew rivalry with Alexander Goldrun after the former scored a thrilling short-head victory over her Irish rival in the Vodafone Nassau Stakes at Goodwood on August 5, while the latter´s trainer, Jim Bolger, could also be represented by the progressive Group Three Meld Stakes winner Heliostatic.

There are 18 Irish-trained entries in all, including 14 from the Ballydoyle yard of Aidan O´Brien, who is seeking his first success in the race.

The powerful O´Brien contingent includes the brilliant Stan James 2000 Guineas hero George Washington, Irish Derby winner Dylan Thomas, Vodafone Oaks heroine Alexandrova, French 2000 Guineas victor Aussie Rules, Queen Anne Stakes conqueror Ad Valorem, last year´s top two-year-old filly Rumplestiltskin, St Leger winner Scorpion, and the multiple Group One-placed Ace.

The possible French challenge is particularly strong with 10 high class runners entered, including the exceptional Andre Fabre-trained pair Hurricane Run and Shirocco.

Hurricane Run, last year´s Irish Derby and Prix de l´Arc de Triomphe winner, landed the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes last time, while stablemate Shirocco, successful in the Breeders´ Cup Turf in November, captured the Vodafone Coronation Cup at Epsom in June and the Stan James Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket in May.

Alain de Royer-Dupre has engaged the Aga Khan´s Prix du Jockey Club victor Darsi along with last year´s Emirates Airline Champion Stakes runner-up Pride, who defeated Hurricane Run by a head in the mile and a half Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on June 25.

Chantilly-based John Hammond has entered a quartet, headed by the superb South African Grade One-winning mare Irridescence, who won the Group One Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin in April. She could be joined by Freedonia, Lahudood and Mullins Bay.

Nicolas Clement has entered Group One Prix Jean Prat winner Stormy Skye, while the Mikel Delzangles-trained Corre Camino, successful in the Group One Prix Ganay, could also line up along with Group One Prix d´Ispahan winner Laverock, trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias.

Germany may be represented by the Peter Schiergen-trained duo of Soldier Hollow, a multiple Group One winner, and the lightly-raced Group Two winner Arcadio, alongside Aspectus.

The Emirates Airline Champion Stakes is the highlight of Newmarket´s Champions Day, and has been won by a host of champions down the ages since Sprinfield took the inaugural contest in 1877.

Legends of the Turf to have won the race include Ormonde (1886), Sceptre (1903), Pretty Polly (1905), Djeddah (1949), Petite Etoile (1959), Sir Ivor (1968), Brigadier Gerard (1971 and 1972), Time Charter (1982) and Pebbles (1985), while champions of more recent times to have won the prestigious contest include Rodrigo De Triano (1992), Hatoof (1993), Bosra Sham (1996) and Rakti (2003).