What a day.

KING OF STEEL and Frankie Dettori rule British Champions Day at Ascot, with a sensational last to first finish in the G1 Champion Stakes - securing a first G1 for the three-year-old colt, and providing a fairytale end to Frankie's farewell tour.

KING OF STEEL has been a star this season for Varian Stable - opening his account for the yard with that sensational Derby second and duly following up with Royal Ascot glory in the G2 King Edward VII Stakes. He ran superb races in defeat in the​ G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and the G1 Irish Champion Stakes. But today was his day, and he played the lead role in a fitting fairytale ending to the UK 2023 flat season, and to Frankie Dettori's farewell tour.

The pair were sent of 3-1 favourite for the Champions Day showpiece, and the race proved to be a thrilling (and nerve-racking!) watch. KING OF STEEL was held-up in last on the inside rail for the opening stages of the 1m2f contest - and he was left with the entire field to conquer as they entered the home straight. But they swung wide, and launched their challenge - and what a challenge it was. KING OF STEEL opened up into his incredible ground-eating stride, and picked off the field one by one - hunting VIA SISTINA down within the final furlong to score by just under a length.

Huge congratulations to owner Kia Joorabchian and the whole Amo Racing team - we can't wait to see what the future has in store for this superstar.