The upcoming edition of the King VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot is shaping up to be a truly legendary showdown, featuring the finest talent from Europe and beyond. This year the race is not just a simple rematch between France and Japan; it also pits a host of other Group One winners against each other, including a classic‑winning three‑year‑old from the Ballydoyle yard who could spark a generational shift. In short, this is the kind of field that defines what the King George should look like.
Fans can catch every moment of the King George weekend live on Sky Sports Racing on Friday 24 July and Saturday 25 July. Among the headline riders is Mickaël Barzalona, who will be aboard a horse trained by Francis‑Henri Graffard. Barzalona’s mount is a rare breed – a true mil‑and‑a‑half performer who can also unleash sprint‑type speed when the race demands it.
He routinely strings together sub‑11‑second furlongs and can sustain a pace that exceeds 40 mph, a combination that makes him a genuine outlier in modern middle‑distance racing. His most impressive display came in the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud, where he powered home in a blistering finish that left rivals stunned. That performance was not only a statement of ability but also a response to the disappointment he suffered at Epsom, a course that sits near the bottom of his preferences.
Ascot, by contrast, is a venue he loves, and his connections expect him to thrive on its sweeping turns and long straight. Equally compelling is the story of the world‑joint‑best horse, often referred to simply as "the Ombudsman". He has been virtually unbeatable on home soil until a recent clash with Calandagan.
The frequency and intensity of his top‑level runs have elevated him to modern‑great status, prompting French authorities to consider rule changes so his dominance can be reflected in official rankings both domestically and abroad. For now, Ascot offers the perfect canvas for Calandagan to showcase his brilliance. The weekend also features a slew of other intriguing narratives.
Hollie Doyle will have Thunder Call in contention during the Shergar Cup, while Jamie Lynch highlights five international stars to watch as they battle for supremacy. Former Premier League striker Kevin Doyle is chasing Cheltenham Festival success with his two‑year‑old fillies, Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi.
In the King George itself, Kalpana is set to challenge Calandagan for the top spot, and legendary jockey Ryan Moore has been honoured with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours. Aidan O’Brien’s contingent remains strong, with Benvenuto Cellini leading a four‑horse team for the Epsom Classic. Meanwhile, Christophe Soumillon will ride for Graffard, and the concept of “distance decay” – the idea that nearer events are more relevant than distant ones – is illustrated by Goliath’s 2024 King George victory, which still feels remote despite its high rating of 127, two pounds above Calandagan’s assessment a year later.
Recent form has added a fresh layer of intrigue. Calandagan’s dominant win in the Grand Prix de Chantilly and his smooth run in the Hardwicke hinted at a resurgence, even though Soumillon slipped his foot in the latter race. Trainer Aidan O’Brien and an as‑yet‑undecided jockey will aim to harness that momentum. On the other side of the Atlantic, Takahisa Tezuka’s horse, guided by Christophe Lemaire, shares Japan’s top ranking with the legendary Forever Young.
Their performances, especially a record‑breaking Japan Cup effort, are remarkable given the horse is only three years old. The Japanese contingent is expected to be more potent in 2026 after a runner‑up finish in the QEII Cup in Hong Kong, where the horse was beaten only by the modern great Romantic Warrior. Hiroshi Miyamoto’s mount, partnered with Oisin Murphy, has already declared itself Japan’s strongest King George representative. When asked which opponent has been toughest, the horse would likely name City of Troy first, then Masquerade Ball, before mentioning Ombudsman.
Though his recent outings have been over longer distances – two miles or more – he remains a serious threat, especially after a strong showing in the Tenno Sho (Spring) where he beat the fast‑finishing Masquerade Ball. Colin Keane and Andrew Balding’s filly, a millionaire with seven victories including back‑to‑back Fillies & Mares’ Stakes on Champions Day, has often been labelled a bridesmaid, collecting seconds more often than wins. Last year she pushed Calandagan to his limits, delivering what she described as the performance of her life.
Although she was out‑finished by Giavellotto in the Hardwicke, she still possesses the class to reach the podium again. Aidan O’Brien again appears, this time with a mystery jockey, as the conversation turns to FOMO (fear of missing out) and its less‑known counterpart KIMO (knowledge of missed opportunities). The filly’s 2025 Arc campaign felt like a career‑defining mission, but a stumble at the Breeders’ Cup has left her searching for redemption. A return to the 1½‑mile distance could be the catalyst she needs to unleash her full potential.
The Derby hopeful who finished second in the Dante but faded at Epsom may serve as a pacemaker in the King George, depending on how the race unfolds. Meanwhile, Benvenuto Cellini, who tends to communicate more through feeling than fact, continues to intrigue analysts. His weight‑for‑age rating of 119 might seem modest against the King George field, yet his performance in the Irish Derby suggests there is still untapped depth. Since Galileo’s 2001 triumph, Aidan O’Brien has produced only three three‑year‑old Derby winners for the King George, one of them being Auguste Rodin, a horse that shares a certain intangible symmetry with Benvenuto Cellini.
The 2024 edition promises a top‑tier turnout, potentially becoming the race of the season – or even the decade. Calandagan, armed with an impressive résumé and global credentials, appears unfazed by any challenger. His versatility, durability, and proven ability across continents make him the horse to watch, and the Ascot track may very well become the stage on which he cements his legacy.