The event will take place for the first time next year at Ascot on October 15, with five of the crucial races to be aired live on BBC One. Each race will represent the finale of a British Champions Series category, namely Middle Distance (Champion Stakes), Mile (QEII Stakes), Sprint (Diadem Cup), Long Distance (Jockey Club Cup) and Fillies and Mares (Pride Stakes).
Staged at 10 racecourses across the UK, the British Champions Series will feature 35 top Flat races – including those run as part of Royal Ascot and the Investec Derby Festival – run in five categories. Channel 4 will broadcast 19 British Champions Series races and the BBC will broadcast 11 plus five on British Champions Day.
“We look forward to working closely with both the BBC and Channel 4 in the promotion of British Champions Series leading to the premier Flat racing finale at Ascot,” said British Champions Series chief executive Karl Oliver. “Both broadcasters have key roles to play to ensure British racing can be enjoyed by as many sports fans as possible.”
Barbara Slater, the BBC’s director of sport, added: “The British Champions Series is a truly innovative concept and we hope to play our part in attracting new audiences to the sport.” The British Champions Series will launch on April 30, 2011 at Newmarket.
