The winner of the King Edward VII Stakes at the same track in June will face 11 rivals in the final all-aged British Group 1 race of the season as he bids to provide France with an eighth victory on British Champions Day and join names such as Cirrus Des Aigles (2011), Almanzor (2016) and Sealiway (2021) as a winner of the Qipco Champion Stakes.

Speaking during the past week, Francis-Henri Graffard, Calandagan’s trainer, said:

“Everything is well with Calandagan and he looks in very good shape. He has had a bit of time since York and, provided all goes well between now and Champions Day, he will be spot on for the Champion Stakes.”

Economics, winner of the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last month when beating Auguste Rodin, is the main market challenger to the French-trained Aga Khan-owned colt.

Los Angeles, winner of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and third placed in the recent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp, is one of two Aidan O’Brien-trained runners in the one mile two furlong contest.

He will be ably backed up by Continuous, winner of the 2023 St Leger at Doncaster, but who finished disappointingly at ParisLongchamp on his most recent run.

The Qipco British Champion Stakes, one of four Group 1 races on the Ascot card on Saturday, goes to post at 3.55pm – the penultimate race of a six-race card, with over £4 million in prize money available on the day.

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The 26-year-old has racked up 153 wins since the championship started at Newmarket on May 1, two more than his closest pursuer William Buick who threw down a strong challenge in the closing weeks of the season.

Murphy, who is retained by Qatar Racing, is the third jockey this century to claim three consecutive titles, following fellow Irishmen Richard Hughes (2012-2014) and Kieren Fallon (2001-2003).

Highlights for Murphy have centred around star filly Alcohol Free. The duo captured the G1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, where Murphy was Top Jockey for the first time, before overcoming all-aged opposition in the G1 Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

Murphy said: “I am over the moon and thrilled to get it across the line. Thank you to my family and everyone – I’ve got a massive support group.

“The last week I’ve had a lot of people on my side. Frankie Dettori has been there every day making sure my spirits are up and I was riding off instinct as normal which is key.

“You need to make every ride count and I was running out of opportunities. I held it together thankfully in the end.

“I think everyone knows that I am human and quite honest. But I need to do better and I don’t want any issues surrounding my career. Let’s just focus on riding winners and hopefully winning another jockeys’ championship.

“I’m 26-years-old so I think I will keep trying for a few more years. Horses are my life and I’m never happier than when I’m on the back of a horse. I’ve bought my showjumpers and they keep me busy too.

“Sheikh Fahad and Qatar Racing have a few horses to go to America for the Breeders’ Cup. There are lots of international races in Hong Kong and Japan coming up so I will be busy.

“William [Buick] was getting a lot more support than I was in the last couple of weeks and the likes of Ed Walker, Hughie Morrison, Andrew Balding and Saeed bin Suroor have been amazing, so thanks to them.”

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