The upcoming King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot promises to be a classic showdown, featuring a truly international field that showcases the best of European and Asian racing. After a dramatic clash between France and Japan earlier in the season, this edition feels like the second act of a heavyweight rivalry that will be remembered for years to come. Yet the contest is about more than a simple rematch.
The race card also contains at least five additional Group One winners, among them a Classic‑victorious three‑year‑old from the famed Ballydoyle stable, whose presence adds a generational twist to the proceedings. In other words, this is the kind of field that epitomises what the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes were designed to be – a true test of stamina, speed and class. Fans can follow every minute of the two‑day King George weekend on Sky Sports Racing, with live coverage scheduled for Friday 24 July and Saturday 25 July.
One of the standout entries is the French‑trained star ridden by Mickael Barzalona and prepared by Francis‑Henri Graffard. Horses of his calibre are a rarity; he combines the stamina required for a mile‑and‑a‑half race with the turn‑of‑speed normally seen in sprint specialists. In the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud he demonstrated the ability to accelerate through a furlong in under eleven seconds and to sustain speeds that exceed forty miles per hour, a combination that makes him a genuine threat over the Ascot track, which sits near the top of his preferred venues.
Equally compelling is the Japanese champion known to the racing world as Ombudsman, a horse that has dominated at home and abroad until meeting the formidable Calandagan. Ombudsman's relentless front‑running style and high‑octane performances have forced French authorities to reconsider certain regulations, simply because his talent is so disruptive. Ascot now serves as the ideal canvas for Calandagan to showcase his own brilliance, and the duel between these two titans will be a focal point of the meeting. The programme also includes a number of other notable stories.
Hollie Doyle will be aboard Thunder Call, a contender that could play a pivotal role in the Shergar Cup, also broadcast live from Ascot. Meanwhile, former Premier League striker Kevin Doyle is making a surprising foray into racing, targeting Cheltenham Festival success with his horses Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi. In the King George itself, Kalpana is expected to challenge Calandagan for supremacy, while veteran jockey Ryan Moore has been honoured with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, underscoring his status as a legend of the sport.
Elsewhere, Benvenuto Cellini will lead a quartet of Aidan O'Brien‑trained runners at the Epsom Derby, highlighting the Irish trainer’s continued dominance in Classic races. The concept of "distance decay" – the idea that nearer events exert more influence than those farther away – is relevant when assessing the legacy of Goliath’s 2024 King George triumph.
Although his rating of 127 was a full two pounds higher than Calandagan’s assessment a year later, Goliath’s performance has become something of a distant memory, never fully replicated in subsequent outings. By contrast, Calandagan’s recent victories in the Grand Prix de Chantilly and a commanding run in the Hardwicke suggest a resurgence that could see him reclaim the spotlight. Aidan O'Brien remains a central figure, though his recent campaign has been less spectacular than expected.
His dual‑Derby winner tag has not been matched by recent form, and a comeback win over Bay City Roller at Chester was quickly followed by a less impressive showing at Saint‑Cloud, where Calandagan re‑asserted his dominance. From Japan, the rising star trained by Takahisa Tezuka and piloted by Christophe Lemaire has already earned a place atop the Longines Rankings for 2025, sharing the honour with the legendary Forever Young. This three‑year‑old’s performance in the Japan Cup – a course‑record run that tested his limits against seasoned opposition – underscores the depth of talent that will be on display at Ascot.
The Japanese contingent also includes a six‑year‑old rated 116, whose recent outings have been over distances of two miles or more. Though he fell short in the Tenno Sho (Spring) against the top‑tier Croix du Nord, his ability to stay the distance adds another layer of intrigue to the racecard.
Among the fillies, a millionaire mare with seven victories, including back‑to‑back Fillies & Mares’ Stakes on Champions Day, continues to be defined more by her near‑misses than her wins. Last year she pushed Calandagan to his limits in a memorable duel, only to be outclassed by Giavellotto in the Hardwicke. This season she remains a strong podium prospect, especially if she can translate her previous form into a decisive finish. The narrative of fear of missing out (FOMO) is also present, particularly for horses like KIMO, whose absence from key races has left owners and trainers yearning for redemption.
After a disappointing run in the 2025 Arc, the mare has shown flashes of brilliance, notably in the Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot, yet she has yet to confront the formidable Ombudsman. A return to the classic 1½‑mile distance could be the catalyst that finally unlocks her full potential. Other entries worth watching include a colt who earned a second place in the Dante but faded at Epsom, now being considered as a potential pacemaker for the Irish‑trained contingent.
Meanwhile, Benvenuto Cellini, a horse that seems to operate more on instinct than data, continues to generate debate among pundits. His rating of 119, while respectable, feels modest compared to the firepower of his rivals, but his recent performances in the Irish Derby and at Chester suggest there is still untapped depth to explore. Since the days of Galileo in 2001, Aidan O'Brien has only produced three three‑year‑old Derby winners for the King George, one of which was Auguste Rodin. Benvenuto Cellini shares a certain mystique with that lineage, even if the comparison is more emotional than statistical.
All told, the field assembled for the King George at Ascot represents one of the most compelling line‑ups of the season, perhaps even the decade. Calandagan, in particular, arrives with an enviable résumé that spans continents, distances and surfaces. Armed with a versatile skill set and the confidence of a proven champion, he appears ready to meet any challenge the day throws his way.
Racing enthusiasts can stay up‑to‑date with the latest news, interviews and feature stories by following Sky Sports Racing’s dedicated horse racing portal, ensuring they never miss a beat as the drama unfolds on the historic turf of Ascot.