The upcoming King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot promises to be a landmark edition of one of the sport's most celebrated contests. This year the race carries an extra layer of international intrigue, as the heavyweight rivalry between France and Japan enters its second chapter. The field is not merely a rematch of previous encounters; it also features a host of other Group One winners, including a Classic‑victorious three‑year‑old from the famed Ballydoyle stable who could ignite a generational showdown. In short, this is the kind of spectacle the King George was designed to deliver.
Fans can tune in to every action from King George Weekend on Sky Sports Racing, with live coverage scheduled for Friday 24 July and Saturday 25 July. The programme will showcase the drama, the tactics, and the raw athleticism that define top‑level middle‑distance racing.
One of the standout names on the card is the French colt trained by Francis‑Henri Graffard and ridden by Mickael Barzalona. Horses of his calibre are a rarity, combining the stamina required for a mile‑and‑a‑half trip with the turn‑of‑speed usually reserved for sprinters. He can effortlessly drop sub‑11‑second furlong times and still cruise at speeds that exceed 40 miles per hour over the middle‑distance stretch.
His most impressive performance to date came in the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud, where he finished with a blistering final burst that left spectators stunned. That run was not just a reaction to a disappointing showing at Epsom—where the horse has historically underperformed—but a statement of intent, positioning Ascot as his preferred venue.
Across the paddock, another star commands attention: Calandagan, widely regarded as one of the world’s joint‑best horses. Until his recent clash with the unbeaten French champion Ombudsman, Calandagan had been an unstoppable force on his home tracks. His dominance has been so pronounced that French racing authorities are reportedly revisiting certain regulations to accommodate his unique talent both domestically and abroad.
Ascot, with its long straight and forgiving ground, offers the perfect canvas for Calandagan to showcase his blend of power and elegance. The card also includes several notable storylines beyond the horses themselves. Former Premier League striker Kevin Doyle is now chasing Cheltenham Festival glory with his mounts Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi. Meanwhile, legendary jockey Ryan Moore has been honoured with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, underscoring his lasting impact on the sport.
In the Derby, Benvenuto Cellini will lead an Aidan O'Brien‑trained quartet at Epsom, while At The Races analyst Kevin Blake offers his expert picks for Derby day. A darker note in the racing world is the recent conviction of former jockey Levi Williams, who was sentenced for the manslaughter of a pensioner after a bar‑room altercation.
The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the responsibilities that come with fame. Returning to the King George field, Christophe Soumillon will partner another Graffard‑trained runner. Analysts often refer to “distance decay” – the principle that nearer events exert a stronger influence than distant ones – to explain why Goliath’s 2024 King George victory still looms large despite being a year old.
Goliath’s rating of 127, a full two pounds above Calandagan’s subsequent assessment, reflects the quality of his opposition, notably Bluestocking, and the manner of his triumph in a strongly‑run contest. Calandagan, however, has shown renewed swagger after winning the Grand Prix de Chantilly and delivering a commanding performance in the Hardwicke Stakes before a slip by Soumillon momentarily disrupted his rhythm. Should he find his stride again, the horse could once more dominate the Ascot stage. Aidan O'Brien’s entries remain a focal point, though one of his runners has yet to be named.
The trainer’s reputation for producing dual Derby winners adds intrigue, even as the season’s early fireworks have fizzled for some of his charges. A recent comeback win over Bay City Roller at Chester proved a false positive, as subsequent outings have failed to recapture that form, especially after Calandagan’s impressive showing at Saint‑Cloud.
From Japan, the partnership of Takahisa Tezuka and Christophe Lemaire brings a three‑year‑old who shares the top spot on the Longines Rankings with the legendary Forever Young. This Japanese contender earned a place in the Japan Cup by setting a course record, a feat made more remarkable given his youth. The horse’s future looks bright, with expectations that he will become even more potent in 2026.
His runner‑up finish in Hong Kong’s QEII Cup, where he was edged out by the modern great Romantic Warrior after a bold late surge, hints at his capacity to compete at the highest level. Hiroshi Miyamoto’s entry, ridden by Oisin Murphy, claims the title of the best Japanese horse ever to contest the King George. When asked which opponent has tested him most, the horse would likely name City of Troy first, followed by Masquerade Ball, and then Ombudsman. Though his recent races have stretched beyond the mile‑and‑half distance, his performance in the Tenno Sho (Spring) – where he bested a fast‑finishing Masquerade Ball – demonstrates his versatility.
Among the female runners, a millionaire mare with seven victories, including consecutive Fillies & Mares’ Stakes on Champions Day, continues to be defined by her near‑misses rather than outright wins. Last year she reduced Calandagan to a mere shadow in a stunning display, yet the Hardwicke saw her overtaken by her nemesis Giavellotto. This renewal offers her another chance to reach the podium, and her connections remain confident in her ability to deliver.
The narrative of fear of missing out (FOMO) and its counterpart, KIMO (the regret of having missed out), also permeates the conversation. The 2025 Arc felt like a career‑defining mission for one of the contenders, a mission that was hampered by a misstep at the Breeders’ Cup and subsequent form fluctuations. While she turned the tables on a sub‑par Daryz in the Prince of Wales at Royal Ascot, she has yet to defeat Ombudsman, the spark that still eludes her.
A return to the classic 1½‑mile distance could be the catalyst that unlocks her full potential. Aidan O'Brien’s stable also features a horse that performed admirably in the Dante before a modest showing at Epsom. The colt may serve as a pacemaker in the King George, a role that could prove pivotal in shaping the race’s tempo.
In the broader context, the weight‑for‑age scale assigns a rating of 119 to a particular entrant, a figure that seems modest compared to the firepower on display. Yet rewatching the Irish Derby reveals that this horse may still have untapped depth, especially when considering his impressive Chester performance.
Since Galileo’s 2001 triumph, O’Brien has secured only three Derby victories in the King George with three‑year‑olds, one of which was Auguste Rodin. Benvenuto Cellini, while perhaps more aligned with sentiment than statistics, carries a mystique that resonates with racing enthusiasts. Overall, the upcoming King George promises a high‑calibre field that could define the season, if not the decade.
Calandagan, in particular, appears unflappable; his résumé spans continents, his performances have shattered expectations, and he seems prepared to confront any challenger that steps onto the Ascot turf. With a blend of raw power, tactical intelligence, and global experience, he stands as the benchmark against which all others will be measured.