As the dust began to settle in the aftermath of the official season closing meeting of Champions Day at Ascot a week ago, the turf flat action rumbled on with the prestigious Futurity Trophy meeting. 
The two day meeting is often the source of tomorrow's champions as the final Group One of the year took place, the Futurity Trophy Stakes for the best juveniles in Europe. Competing over the straight mile course on Town Moor, the race has been churned stars such as Authorized, Reference Point, High Chapparal, Motivator, Camelot and Auguste Rodin; all of whom went into immortality by winning the following year's Epsom Derby. The race has also produced Guineas winners, namely Kameko, Magna Grecia and Saxon Warrior. It has also been farmed by Aidan O'Brien of late as the legendary trainer has won this race eleven times, nine of which have come since 2000. This year's contest would be set to determine more Classic contenders for next summer.

Elsewhere during the meeting, day one would continue the focus on the future with a pair of insightful novice contests. The first came over a mile for colts and geldings while the following contest saw the turn of fillies over seven furlongs. With the turf season quickly running out, opportunities for trainers to get their well bred newcomers on track are becoming limited so these races often attract good fields. Friday would also see a range of competitive handicaps over a range of distances to provide a challenge for punters.

Alongside Saturday's Group One action, more high quality handicaps over sprint trips and middle distances took their place on the card along with a listed race for juveniles over six furlongs; providing an end of season opportunity for some "black type" to the winner.