Madame Chiang rebounds in QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes

Madame Chiang, who struggled against top-class company in the English Oaks and Prix Vermeille in France in recent starts, had no difficulty with the heavy ground at Ascot Racecourse in England on Saturday, scoring an upset win in the $880,000 QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes.

Ridden by Jim Crowley for trainer David Simcock, Madame Chiang (12-1) closed from fifth in a field of 10 through the long stretch to take the lead in the final sixteenth and win by two lengths over 9-2 Silk Sari. Chicquita finished third after leading in the final furlong but drifting out badly late. She was beaten 2 3/4 lengths by Madame Chiang in the race over 1 1/2 miles on heavy turf.

Seal of Approval, the 4-1 favorite, finished fifth.

Madame Chiang was the third filly or mare to lead in the stretch, which is slightly shorter than three furlongs. Albasharah took the lead with a wide move on the turn and led to the final furlong until passed by Chicquita. Madame Chiang closed steadily to reach a prominent position with a furlong to go before taking over from the erratic Chicquita.

Madame Chiang races for breeder Kristen Rausing and has won 3 of 5 starts. A 3-year-old filly by the Kingmambo stallion Archipenko, Madame Chiang beat maidens in her lone start at 2 in 2013 and won her 2014 debut in the Group 3 Musidora Stakes at York in May.

She finished 10th in the Group 1 English Oaks on June 6 and sixth in the Group 1 Prix Vermeille at Longchamp on Sept. 14 before rebounding in Saturday’s Fillies and Mares Stakes.