The upcoming King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot promises a spectacular showdown, with Calandagan, Masquerade Ball and a Ballydoyle quartet taking centre stage. The race, a Group 1 event, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing, offering fans worldwide a chance to witness one of the calendar's most prestigious middle‑distance contests. Calandagan, the defending champion, heads a nine‑horse field after an impressive campaign that saw the French‑trained star claim the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan before a soft‑ground setback at Epsom. The horse rebounded strongly by winning the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud, marking his sixth top‑level victory and confirming his status as a world‑class performer under the guidance of jockey Mickael Barzalona.
His consistency at the highest level makes him the clear favourite, but the depth of the field ensures the outcome will not be a foregone conclusion. Japan’s Masquerine Ball, the previous year’s Tenno Sho winner, finished a narrow head behind Calandagan in the Japan Cup in November and later produced a solid second place to Romantic Warrior in Hong Kong over ten furlongs.
The extra distance of the King George – a mile and a half – should suit him, although there are lingering questions about his adaptability to Ascot’s undulating track. Japanese connections are hopeful that Masquerine Ball can finally break the nation’s long‑standing hoodoo in this race, and they will be eager to see him test his stamina against Europe’s elite. Also featured are Kalpana and Goliath, both of whom have shown strong form in the Hardwicke Stakes and are expected to be closely matched. Aidan O'Brien adds further intrigue with a quartet of runners, the most notable being Benvenuto Cellini, the 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 suggests the trainer believes the colt has the class to compete. The Moët & Chandon International Handicap, scheduled for 2.55 pm, brings together a field of seventeen, including Mezcala and Extremely Zain.
Extremely Zain arrives unbeaten in three starts and has already demonstrated Group‑level potential by defying a rating of 93 at York. The handicapper has responded with an eight‑pound increase, indicating that this may be his final run under handicap conditions before moving up in class. He will start from stall eight under Tom Marquand, who replaces Cieren Fallon for this race. Additional storylines will unfold throughout the meeting.
Hollie Doyle’s Thunder Call is expected to feature in the Shergar Cup later in the day, while former Premier League striker Kevin Doyle will be watching his own horses, Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi, aim for success at the Cheltenham Festival. In the King George itself, a surprise upset could see Kalpana defeat Calandagan, a result that would reverberate through the racing community. The programme also includes a Group 3 Valiant Stakes, where the focus will be on Touleen as she drops in class, and a Group 3 Princess Margaret Japan Cup Stakes at 1.45 pm featuring Dark Issue and Alta Regina as the betting favourites.
Moonrise, who narrowly missed a win in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot, will also be in contention, giving trainer Oisin Murphy and owner Andrew Balding a chance to redeem her. Other notable entries include Skydance, who previously beat Oaks heroine Thundering On in a maiden at Leopardstown, and Kon Tiki, who posted a career‑best fourth place behind Blue Bolt in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at the Royal meeting.
Both are expected to be competitive in their respective handicaps. The Betfred Handicap at 4.45 pm will see Blue RC, Urban Lion and Crown Board line up, with Asmen Warrior adding further depth to the James Owen‑trained contingent.
Meanwhile, at Chester, Sea Idol leads a six‑horse field for the IRE Incentive It Pays To Buy Irish Maiden Stakes at 3.10 pm, and the Wilson Family Handicap at 3.48 pm will feature Postmodern, owned by the Wathnan family, as a strong contender for the Hamad Al Jehani. Finally, Lingfield’s evening card includes the RJB Agri EBF Novice Stakes at 7.00 pm, where Godolphin’s Catching Dreams, trained by Charlie Appleby, makes his debut. The colt has shown promise in training and could provide a bright start to a promising career for the Godolphin operation. Overall, the Ascot meeting offers a rich tapestry of narratives, from the high‑stakes drama of the King George to the promising youngsters looking to make their mark in handicaps and novice races.
With a blend of established champions, emerging talent, and international intrigue, the day promises to deliver excitement for racing enthusiasts and casual viewers alike.