Former South African champion, and 2016 Gr1 J&B Met winner, Smart Call (Ideal World) is one of 44 fillies and mares nominated to the Gr1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, due to be run at Ascot on October21st.

A close, and unlucky fourth, last time out in the Gr1 Prix Jean Romanet, Smart Call (who also holds an entry in the Gr2 Moyglare “Jewels” Blandford Stakes at the Curragh on September 10th) could be opposed by some of the world’s finest female equine turf athletes.

Among the notable performers nominated for the 2400m Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes are star 3yos Enable (Nathaniel) and Winter (Galileo), who between them have won eight Gr1 races this season.
Princess Ajman (Teofilo), who beat Smart Call when victorious in the Prix Jean Romanet, last year’s winner Journey (Dubawi), German Oaks winner Lacazur (Adlerflug), last year’s Breeders’ Cup winner Queen’s Trust (Dansili) and recent Gr1 Pretty Polly Stakes winner Nezwaah (Dubawi).

Smart Call is not, however, the only nominee with a South African connection –The Juliet Rose (Monsun) could represent prominent local owners Mayfair Speculators if she takes her chance in October’s big race. The four-year-old, a close-up fourth on her belated seasonal debut, won the Gr2 Qatar Prix de Royallieu last year and also finished a close up third in last year’s Gr1 Qatar Prix Vermeille at Chantilly.

No fewer than three of the fillies nominated for this race are siblings to South African stallions, with Gr1 Dubai Fillies Mile winner Rhododendron (Galileo) a full-sister to Bush Hill Stud’s sire Flying The Flag, Gr1 Coronation Stakes third Hydrangea (Galileo) an own sister to Moutonshoek’s new sire The United States, and dual Oaks winner Seventh Heaven (who was fifth in this race in 2016) who is a half-sister to the Scott Bros’ stallion Crusade (Mr. Greeley).

Fellow entrant Harlequeen is by Canford Cliffs (Tagula), who is set to stand at Highlands Stud in the Cape in 2018.

No fewer than 12 of the fillies or mares nominated are previous Group/Grade One winners.