Kalpana secured a spectacular triumph in the prestigious King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, delivering a thrilling victory over a world‑class field that included last year’s winner Calandagan. The five‑year‑old mare, wearing the iconic Juddmonte silks that once carried three‑time champion Enable, turned the tables on the horse that had bested her a year earlier, when she finished second to Calandagan. From the start, the race unfolded at a blistering pace.
Ballydoyle’s pacemaker Action set a relentless tempo, stretching the early leaders and setting the stage for a dramatic finish. As the field approached the final furlong, Kalpana, trained by Andrew Balding, surged forward from behind the pace‑setters. With a powerful stride, she took the lead well before the final straight, displaying a blend of speed and stamina that left the spectators on the edge of their seats.
In the closing stages, Kalpana held off a fierce late challenge from Calandagan, the defending champion, and secured a winning margin of one and a half lengths at odds of 13‑2. Behind them, Irish Derby victor Benvenuto Cellini, piloted by Ryan Moore, finished a respectable third, while last year’s dual Derby winner Lambourn took fourth place.
The field was a veritable roll‑call of recent champions: the two most recent winners of the King George, Derby heroes, two Japanese imports, the Arc runner‑up, and multiple Group One winners, making the contest on paper the race of the year, and it lived up to that reputation on the track. For jockey Colin Keane, this win marked his most significant achievement since becoming Juddmonte’s retained rider. He praised Kalpana’s extraordinary abilities, noting, "She’s a very special mare. We knew she had a real chance, but honestly, if she had finished third it would still have been a massive effort against the Japanese horse Masquerade Ball and the French contender.
Her performance today shows just how good she truly is." Keane also highlighted the mare’s physical condition, recalling trainer Andrew Balding’s comment that she was “about ten kilos lighter” than she had been the previous season, a sign of her improved fitness. He added, "She can accelerate almost instantly when you ask her to, and she always pulls us out of trouble when we need it. This is her best performance to date, and with such a strong renewal of the race featuring horses from all over the globe, it makes her victory even more special." Andrew Balding was equally effusive, stating, "She’s pretty damn good, isn’t she? She can handle any ground.
Today everything fell into place, and Colin never needs a reminder—he always knows what to do. It’s been a pleasure to see her get leaner and fitter this year; she’s a different horse compared to last season.
Winning this race is a huge privilege for us and for Juddmonte. My father, Ian Balding, won this race with Mill Reef, so it feels like a family tradition." Balding also hinted at future possibilities, mentioning the Arc, the Yorkshire Oaks, and other top‑level targets, saying, "Anything is possible moving forward. The Arc didn’t work out last year because of the draw, but we’ll keep it under consideration, along with other Group One opportunities." Barry Mahon, Juddmonte’s European bloodstock and racing manager, reflected on the significance of the day: "Colin got a lovely trip round and was just sitting there waiting coming into the straight. This is one of the biggest days for me in my role, right up there with Bluestocking in the Arc and Field of Gold at Royal Ascot last year.
It’s a memorable one for sure. I’m not sure what the timeline is between the Arc and Champions Day, but Paris will definitely be part of the conversation, and we’ll see what the owners decide." Mahon also praised Balding’s professionalism, noting, "It’s very straightforward working with Andrew; he delivers great results for us.
He’s a brilliant people person with an excellent team around him." The victory not only adds a second Group One win to Kalpana’s résumé but also cements her status as one of the leading middle‑distance mares of her generation. Her performance demonstrated a rare combination of speed, endurance, and tactical versatility, allowing her to dominate a race that featured some of the world’s best horses. As the season progresses, connections will weigh options ranging from the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe to the Yorkshire Oaks, both of which could further enhance her legacy. In summary, Kalpana’s win at the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes was a masterclass in racing excellence.
She overcame a previous defeat, out‑classed a field brimming with champions, and delivered a performance that will be remembered as one of the standout moments of the season. Her trainer, jockey, and owners celebrated a hard‑earned triumph that underscores the quality of the Juddmonte breeding operation and hints at even greater ambitions for the mare in the coming months.