NOW Qipco have ditched the Guineas give us our Flat Jockeys’ Championship back.
For those of you that don’t know, Qatar Investment and Project Development Holding Company (Qipco) will not be extending its backing of the midsummer Group 1 highlight that is the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Newmarket’s Guineas festival or the British Champions Series.
THE SUN RACING MEMBERS ENCLOSURE
THE best bet for savvy punters.
Sign up now for just £1* to be part of racing’s best winner’s enclosure and get…
Two free racing tickets, four times a year
Templegate’s daily tips before anyone else
Tomorrow’s copy of The Favourite at 9pm today
Exclusive insights from Andrew Balding and Hayley Turner
VIP competitions from Racing Breaks each month
New customer offer with Coral
Become a member today for just £1*
*For the first month then £3 per month thereafter.
18+ Ts and Cs apply. First month membership £1, then £3 per month unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. For more information contact help@thesun.co.uk
Now, as far as I am aware, the only reason the Flat Jockeys’ Championship has been ruined in recent years is because Qipco insisted it started and ended with their sponsorship.
Now, that is no longer the case.
The Flat jockeys should battle it out for the whole of the turf season. To be honest it should not be even open to debate.
At the very least, as Qipco will still sponsor Champions Day at Ascot, the Flat boys should kick off at Doncaster with the Lincoln meeting and end at Ascot. But in all truth the finish should be at Doncaster.
Some of the top riders will hate going back to old ways, because it will make it harder work for them. But being champion should be tough. Super tough.
If Dubai, the Breeders’ Cup, Melbourne Cup, Japan makes a difference to you then that’s up to you.
Make our Flat Jockeys’ Championship great again. Please. Come on, PJA, insist on it.
Want to play a game?
It was revealed over the weekend by Wathnan supremo Richard Brown that the Qatari outfit wanted to buy one of the winner’s at Royal Ascot but failed to reach an agreement.
So who could it be..?
Here we go.
Tuesday:
Charyn? Surely not.
Rashabar. A possible. But it’s a no from me.
Asfoora. Not impossible. But surety not.
Rosallion. No.
Pledgeofallegiance. Surely not.
Israr. No.
Belloccio. Not impossible but surely they would have sold!
Wednesday:
Leovanni. Wathnan owned.
Illinois. No.
Running Lion. No.
Auguste Rodin. No.
Wild Tiger. No.
Doha. No.
Ain’t Nobody. A possible.
Thursday
Shareholder. Wathnan owned.
Going the Distance. Surely not.
Port Fairy. No.
Kyprios. No.
Mickley. Not impossible.
Jayarebe. Not impossible. But a no from me.
English Oak. Wathnan owned.
Friday
Fairy Godmother. No.
Inisherin. No.
Porta Fortuna. Not impossible.
Crystal Black. Surely would have sold.
Soprano. Surely not.
Calandagan. No.
Pilgrim. Surely not.
So, onto Saturday…
Bedtime Story. No. Isle of Jura. No. Khaadem. No. Haatem. Wathnan owned. Unequal Love. No. Hand of God. No. Uxmal. No.
So there you have it. I don’t have the answer. But my guess would be Ain’t Nobody or Mickley.
Who do you think it was? And who has so much cash they fought off Qatar?!
FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chases their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.