'He's shown he's a true champion' - Charyn confirms his class after seeing off Facteur Cheval in Queen Elizabeth II Stakes

On the day when champions are crowned, one of the season's standout performers, Charyn, was asked to draw on every ounce of the fighting spirit that has set him apart as Europe's top miler and duly delivered when pulling away from Facteur Cheval in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Following a fallow three-year-old campaign, Charyn has rapidly risen through the ranks since scoring at Listed level on his reappearance in March, showcasing both his ability and constitution with three Group 1 victories and two near-misses in the Lockinge and Prix du Moulin.

"Hasn't he been great all year?" asked Roger Varian, echoing the thoughts of all those who gathered to welcome him into the winner's enclosure. "He's the finished article now. He's fully developed and he's absolutely at his peak. I'm delighted for his owner Nurlan Bizakov and our team."

Charyn hit the front early under Silvestre de Sousa and appeared to have the race at his mercy before being forced to find another gear when the runner-up pulled purposefully alongside. The two Group 1 winners pushed one another towards the line before Charyn scored by two lengths.

Charyn: QEII Stakes win at Ascot was third Group 1 of the seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

"The jockey likes to make the trainer sweat," said Varian. "He got a perfect trip, eased into the race and looked like he would be a comfortable winner. Silvestre was looking after him, making sure he got home and he gave the second a chance but then we saw Charyn's fighting qualities.

"He had to knuckle down and was very tough and strong in the final furlong. He put the race to bed nicely and I thought it was a dominant performance. He's a super horse with the most amazing constitution. He loves his racing, has such a good mentality and a big engine too."

De Sousa returned to riding in Britain in March following a stint in Hong Kong and subsequent suspension, and Charyn, alongside his 1,000 Guineas success on the Varian-trained Elmalka, has provided the three-time champion jockey with an immediate return to the top level.

"He's shown he's a true champion and deserves to be here on a day like this and to be sent off as favourite in this race," said De Sousa. "He's a dream horse. I always thought I'd bump into one one day and I hope it's not going to be too long before I sit on something like him again."

Like Charyn, Varian has had to show plenty of fighting spirit of his own this season. It has been a successful campaign with four Group 1s and a British Classic but a turbulent one with the withdrawal of horses owned by Amo Racing and Sheikh Mohammad Obaid Al Maktoum.

Silvestre de Sousa celebrates as he's led to the winners' enclosureCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I think the game matches Charyn," said Varian. "It has ups and downs every month and every week but I've got great people around me and some wonderful owners. I'm very lucky to train some special horses and you pick yourself up when you take a knock and get on with it.

"I could reflect on the year and say it's had its challenges but it's been fantastic. We've got one of the top milers in Europe, if not the world, and we're housing a British Classic winner so we've had a good year and we're here again in the winner's enclosure on Champions Day."

There is every chance Varian will return to that winner's enclosure next year, having also stood there after King Of Steel won last year's Champion Stakes, but Charyn will not. He will be retired at the end of the season but could be set for one final outing in the Mile Championship in Japan.

"If he goes abroad I think it will be to Japan," added Varian. "It's a nice idea but it's not cemented. I need to speak to Nurlan and the team and what's important is how he is over the next ten days."

Read all our Champions Day reports:

'He's just an unbelievably classy horse' - Kyprios makes it seven from seven this season with comfortable Long Distance Cup win 

'This family has done us tremendously well' - Kind Of Blue gives James Fanshawe third Champions Sprint 

'Maybe next year we can think about the Arc' - Kalpana continues her progression with Group 1 win 

'He's shown he's a true champion' - Charyn confirms his class after seeing off Facteur Cheval in Queen Elizabeth II Stakes 

'I put my binoculars down halfway up the straight and thought we had no chance' - Anmaat flies home to land 40-1 Champion Stakes shock 

'He's been knocking on the door all year' - cards finally fall right for Carrytheone as Soumillon gains more glory in Balmoral 

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