The upcoming King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes has become the centerpiece of this weekend’s racing calendar, and on the latest edition of Weekend Winners, presenter Kate Tracey sat down with pundits Declan Rix and Sam Boswell to dissect the field. A total of nine contenders will line up for the Saturday showdown, headlined by last year’s victor Calandagan, who is back to try and retain his crown after having bested the previously unbeaten Kalpana in the previous season.
Also making the trip from Japan is Masquerade Ball, a horse that narrowly missed out on a win against the Aga Khan’s champion in the Japan Cup and now hopes to settle the score on British soil. Aidan O'Brien will have a quartet of runners in the mix, the most notable being Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini and the 2025 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runner‑up Minnie Hauk.
Meanwhile, 2024 King George champion Goliath will be attempting to reclaim the title under the guidance of veteran jockey Christophe Soumillon. "Last year’s edition seemed tailor‑made for Calandagan," one of the analysts remarked. "If you’re ever going to design a 12‑furlong contest on fast ground for a horse whose best work is over ten furlongs, you end up with a race that’s essentially a sprint. Ballydoyle’s tactics were completely off the mark, and the race unfolded in a way that suited Calandagan’s speed rather than his stamina." The panel went on to suggest that this year’s race is likely to be set up very differently.
"With the pace likely to be driven by the Action and Lambourn contingents, we should see a genuine test of stamina for both Minnie Hauk and Benvenuto Cellini. The question is whether that scenario will also suit Calandagan.
I have a lingering suspicion that a true 12‑furlong gallop from start to finish could expose a change‑of‑gear issue for him," the commentator added. Nevertheless, the consensus was that Calandagan remains the class of the field.
"He’s older, stronger and has shown he’s still in top form this season," the expert continued, "although I may be overstating his chances after that disappointing run at Epsom earlier in the year." In a separate sound‑bite, the pundit expressed admiration for Masquerley Ball’s performance in the Japan Cup, noting how impressive it was for the horse to travel to a foreign venue and contend strongly. "Both Japanese runners looked fit at the Newmarket media day, and their trainer was clearly excited about the trip.
The track here is unfamiliar to them, but they handled the journey well," he said. When it came to betting odds, the analyst confessed a personal preference for the Japanese challenger. "I was seeing odds drift towards 9/2 for Calandagan, but 7/2 is as short as I’d be comfortable with. If Masquerade Ball can be got at around 4/1, I’ll take him.
Calandagan has certainly made me look foolish in the past, and while the ground and course suit him, the odds are tempting on the Japanese horse." The discussion also touched on a range of other racing news: Hollie Doyle hinted that Thunder Call could feature in the Shergar Cup at Ascot, Jamie Lynch’s five‑horse squad will be worth watching in the international showdown, former Premier League striker Kevin Doyle is now chasing Cheltenham glory with his mount Augusta Kate, and Ryan Moore has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours. In addition, Benvenuto Cellini leads O’Brien’s four‑strong contingent for the Epsom Classic, and Kalpana has already defeated Calandagan in a recent King George‑style battle. For fans who want to stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing stories, interviews and feature pieces, Sky Sports Racing offers a dedicated app that delivers breaking news straight to your mobile device. The network also streams the full episode of Weekend Winners on the At The Races YouTube channel, ensuring that anyone can catch the analysis and predictions ahead of the big day at Ascot.
As the day approaches, the narrative is shaping up around a classic duel: the seasoned, proven Calandagan versus the hungry, internationally‑tested Masquerade Ball. Both horses have proven they can handle high‑class competition, and with the pace likely to be dictated by the front‑running Action and Lambourn entries, the race could evolve into a genuine stamina test that will separate the true champion from the rest of the pack. Whether the Irish stalwart can adapt to a more demanding tempo, or the Japanese contender can translate his near‑miss in Tokyo into a victory on British turf, remains to be seen.
One thing is certain – the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes will provide a thrilling spectacle for racing enthusiasts worldwide.