The upcoming King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot promises a thrilling renewal of the Group 1 classic, with the race being broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. The headline act is last year’s champion Calandagan, who will lead a field of nine top‑class runners in what is expected to be a fiercely contested event.
Calandagan, the star of Francis‑Henri Graffard’s stable, finished the previous season as the world’s top racehorse and has continued to follow a similar trajectory this year. After securing a victory in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan, the horse was upset on soft ground at Epsom, but quickly rebounded with a win in the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud.
That triumph marked his sixth Group‑level success and demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level under the guidance of jockey Mickael Barzalona. Also in the mix is Masquerade Ball, the Japanese runner who was a close second to Calandagan in the Japan Cup last November. The horse then travelled to Hong Kong and finished a solid runner‑up to Romantic Warrior over ten furlongs.
The added distance of the King George – a mile and a half – should suit Masquerade Ball, although there are lingering questions about his adaptability to the Ascot track. Japanese connections are hopeful that he can finally break the nation’s long‑standing hoodoo in this race. The field also includes Kalpana and Goliath, both of whom have produced comparable performances in the Hardwicke Stakes, making their relative form difficult to separate.
Aidan O'Brien will have a quartet of runners, highlighted by Benvenuto Cellini, the recent Irish Derby winner. This three‑year‑old will be stepping up to face older horses for the first time, and the booking of Ryan Moore as his jockey adds an extra layer of intrigue. In addition to the Group 1 contest, Ascot will stage a valuable Moët & Chandon International Handicap at 2:55 pm. Among the 17 entries, Mezcala and Extremely Zain stand out.
Extremely Zain arrives unbeaten in three starts, having shown Group‑class potential when he comfortably beat a rating of 93 at York. The handicapper has responded with an eight‑pound penalty, suggesting this may be his final run under handicap conditions.
He will break from stall eight with Tom Marquand aboard, who is taking over from Cieren Fallon for this race. Other notable headlines for the day include former Premier League striker Kevin Doyle’s pursuit of Cheltenham Festival glory with his horses Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi, and the announcement that legendary jockey Ryan Moore has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours. The King George itself will see a showdown between Calandagan and Kalpana, with the latter expected to challenge the champion for supremacy.
Meanwhile, Benvenuto Cellini leads O'Brien’s four‑horse contingent in the Epsom Classic, and Kevin Blake of At The Races will provide his Derby day selections. In other news, former jockey Levi Williams has been sentenced to prison for the manslaughter of a pensioner after a bar‑room altercation, a stark reminder of the sport’s off‑track challenges. Mezcala, who captured the Spring Mile earlier in the season and displayed a strong turn of foot to win the Buckingham Palace Stakes on his last start, will start from stall 13 under jockey George Bass. Completely Random, who narrowly missed out in the Wokingham over six furlongs, is expected to improve over the extra distance, with Ryan Moore again featuring as a notable booking.
Back In Black and Aalto complete a long shortlist for the Group 3 Valiant Stakes, with Aalto effectively carrying three pounds less after a Bunbury Cup victory on the previous day. Amazing Journey, stepping up in trip after winning a Class 3 handicap at Ascot, also features prominently. All eyes will be on Touleen in the Valiant Stakes, as she drops down in class.
Owen Burrows’ three‑year‑old, who finished a fast‑finishing runner‑up in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, will face older rivals for the first time with William Buick replacing Saffie Osborne. Rated seven pounds higher than her rivals, she should be difficult to beat if she gets a clear run. Skydance, who last beat future Oaks winner Thundering On in a maiden at Leopardstown, remains a classy filly with only a brief lay‑off as a potential concern.
Kon Tiki produced a career‑best performance when finishing fourth behind Blue Bolt in a strong Duke of Cambridge Stakes at the Royal meeting and should be respected at this level. Sukanya and Esna are both rated as each‑way prospects.
Later in the day, the Group 3 Princess Margaret Japan Cup Stakes will take place at 1:45 pm. Dark Issue and Alta Regina are among the favourites, while Moonrise, who was unlucky in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot, is also worth considering for the Oisin Murphy/Andrew Balding partnership.
The 4:45 pm Betfred Handicap will feature Blue RC, Urban Lion and Crown Board, with Asmen Warrior also in contention for trainer James Owen. Outside of Ascot, Chester will host the IRE Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Maiden Stakes at 3:10 pm, with Sea Idol leading a six‑horse field. The card’s highlight will be the 3:48 pm Wilson Family Handicap, where the Wathnan‑owned Postmodern is fancied to finish close for trainer Hamad Al Jehani.
At Lingfield, Charlie Appleby will field the Godolphin‑owned Catching Dreams in the RJB Agri EBF Novice Stakes at 7:00 pm. This promising colt could make a strong debut for a stable that has been on a roll this season. Overall, the Ascot meeting offers a rich tapestry of high‑profile Group races, international contenders, and compelling storylines that should captivate racing fans worldwide.