The upcoming edition of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot promises to be a truly spectacular event, featuring a truly international field that includes the finest representatives from France and Japan. This meeting marks the second chapter in a heavyweight rivalry that has been building between the two nations, but the race offers far more than a simple rematch. In addition to the French and Japanese challengers, the lineup boasts up to five other Group One winners, among them a Classic‑victorious three‑year‑old from the famed Ballydoyle stable, ready to inject fresh generational intrigue into the contest. This is precisely the kind of drama the King George is designed to deliver.
Fans can follow every race from the King George weekend live on Sky Sports Racing on Friday 24 July and Saturday 25 July. Among the highlighted connections is jockey Mickaël Barzalona aboard a horse trained by Francis‑Henri Graffard. Horses of Barzalona’s calibre are a rarity; they combine the stamina required for a mile‑and‑a‑half trip with the raw speed of a sprinter.
At will they can slice through a furlong in under eleven seconds and routinely breach the 40 mph barrier that many middle‑distance specialists never approach. The horse’s most impressive performance to date came in the finish of the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud, where it displayed a blend of acceleration and tenacity that left a lasting impression. That effort was not merely a reaction to a disappointing run at Epsom – a venue the horse has historically disliked – but a statement of intent, especially as Ascot sits at the top of its preferred tracks. A comparable story belongs to the world‑renowned runner known as Ombudsman, who has dominated at home until the arrival of Calandagan.
Ombudsman’s relentless string of elite performances has forced French racing authorities to reconsider their regulations, hoping to capture some of his golden touch both domestically and abroad. Yet Ascot offers Calandagan the ideal stage to showcase his flamboyant style and to add another masterpiece to his growing résumé.
The weekend also features a number of other compelling narratives. Hollie Doyle is expected to ride Thunder Call in the Shergar Cup, which will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Jamie Lynch has identified five horses that merit close attention as international stars clash on the Saturday card.
Former Premier League striker Kevin Doyle is now chasing Cheltenham Festival glory with his charges Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi. In the King George itself, Kalpana is set to challenge Calandagan, while legendary jockey Ryan Moore has recently been honoured with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Meanwhile, Benvenuto Cellini will lead a four‑horse Aidan O'Brien contingent in the Epsom Classic, underscoring the depth of talent on display across the festival. The concept of "distance decay" – the idea that nearer events exert more influence than distant ones – is relevant when evaluating the 2024 King George winner, Goliath. His rating of 127 was two pounds higher than Calandagan’s assessment a year later, reflecting the quality of his opponent Bluestocking and the manner of his victory in a strongly‑run contest.
Since then, Goliath’s form has been less consistent, though recent wins at the Grand Prix de Chantilly and a smooth run in the Hardwicke suggest he could rediscover his best form. Trainer Aidan O'Brien and a yet‑to‑be‑named jockey will be looking to restore the horse’s reputation after a disappointing season that saw a promising comeback win at Chester turn into a false positive. Similarly, Takahisa Tezuka and Christophe Lemaire will be watching their Japanese charge, a three‑year‑old who shares the top spot in the Longines Rankings with the legendary Forever Young after a record‑setting Japan Cup performance.
The Japanese contender, often compared to Calandagan, has already proved his mettle by finishing runner‑up in the QEII Cup in Hong Kong, losing only to the formidable Romantic Warrior after a late surge over 1¼ miles. He is widely regarded as the strongest Japanese representative to ever contest the King George, and when asked which opponent has tested him most, he would likely name City of Troy followed by Masquerade Ball, with Ombudsman trailing behind. Another Japanese star, a six‑year‑old with a rating of 116, has excelled over distances of two miles or more, highlighted by a victory in the Tenno Sho (Spring) where he outpaced the fast‑finishing Masquerade Ball in last year’s Japanese Derby.
Although his recent outings have been at extended distances, his pedigree and performance suggest he could be a factor at Ascot. On the female side, a millionaire mare with seven victories, including back‑to‑back Fillies & Mares' Stakes on Champions Day, has often been described as a bridesmaid rather than a winner.
Her most notable achievement came last year when she reduced Calandagan to his limits in a thrilling performance, only to be denied by Giavellotto in the Hardwicke. This year she returns with renewed determination, hoping to finally secure a podium finish. Aidan O'Brien will also feature several other prospects, including a horse that showed promise after a second place in the Dante but faded at Epsom. The connections are considering using him as a pacemaker, though his exact role remains uncertain.
The conversation around Benvenuto Cellini continues, with some observers noting that his rating of 119, while respectable, feels modest compared to the firepower required for a King George showdown. Yet his display in the Irish Derby and at Chester suggests there may be untapped potential waiting to be unleashed. Since Galileo’s triumph in 2001, O'Brien has produced only three three‑year‑old Derby winners for the King George, one of which was Auguste Rodin – a horse that shares an intangible connection with Benvenuto Cellini, rooted more in feeling than in raw statistics. Overall, the field assembled for this year’s King George at Ascot appears to be one of the strongest in recent memory, perhaps even a race of the decade.
Calandagan, in particular, seems unfazed by the competition, having compiled an impressive record across continents. Armed with experience, confidence, and a versatile skill set, he appears ready to meet any challenge the day may present.