Superb efforts by Charm and Mission head Qipco British Champions Day

Charm Spirit is owned by Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani (pictured standing alongside his wife and joined by Sheikh Fahad, HM The Queen, who presented the trophy, plus winning trainer Freddy Head and jockey Olivier Peslier). The father of Sheikhs Hamad, Fahad and Suhaim, Sheikh Abdullah saw his three-year-old colt win the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, sponsored by QIPCO, by defeating Classic winner Night Of Thunder. This was the colt's third Group One win following his success last month in the Qatar Prix du Moulin and in July's Prix Jean Prat.

Charm Spirit (second right) defeats Classic winner Night Of Thunder (right)

The Gr.1 QIPCO Champion Stakes was won by five-year-old Noble Mission, a full brother to the mighty Frankel who won the same race two years. Both horses were bred by Prince Khalid Abdullah. The late Sir Henry Cecil trained Frankel, while his widow, Lady Cecil, is responsible for handling Noble Mission.

On a good day for owner/breeders, the David Simcock-trained Madame Chiang won the Gr.1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes, for Kirsten Rausing, while the Gr.2 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup went to the Dermot Weld-trained Forgotten Rules - another homebred victory, this time for Moyglare Stud. In this race the Sir Mark Prescott trained Pallasator, in the colours of Qatar Racing, finished third.

Photographs by Dan Abraham