Overview
- O’Brien confirmed late Wednesday that Gstaad will run in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over a mile with Ryan Moore booked to ride.
- Constitution River has been switched back to the 10‑furlong Champion Stakes after being supplemented for the QEII earlier in the week for £70,000.
- Scandinavia will miss Champions Day and be rested for the year to start early preparation for the Ascot Gold Cup, with Queenstown and Amelia Earhart declared for the Long Distance Cup.
- Hawk Mountain will join Gstaad in the QEII with Colin Keane aboard, and Minnie Hauk is O’Brien’s lone entry in the Fillies & Mares Stakes with retirement expected after the race.
- O’Brien said recent runs and a short bout of illness in his yard influenced the U‑turn, which he framed as a welfare and long‑term planning decision that also reshapes the betting and competitive picture at Ascot.