The upcoming King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot promises a dazzling revival of this Group 1 classic, with the reigning champion Calandagan and the Japanese contender Masquerade Ball taking centre stage, alongside a host of other high‑profile runners. The race will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing, giving fans a front‑row seat to what could become one of the most memorable editions of the event.
Calandagan, the French‑trained star of Francis‑Henri Graffard's yard, returns to defend the title he secured last season. After finishing the previous year as the world’s top‑rated thoroughbred, the bay colt has already added a second Group 1 win to his résumé by taking the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan.
A brief setback on the soft ground at Epsom was quickly forgotten when he rebounded with a dominant victory in the Grand Prix de Saint‑Cloud, marking his sixth top‑level triumph. Under the steady hands of jockey Mickael Barzalona, Calandagan is expected to set a high benchmark for the field. Japan’s own Masquerage Ball, the horse that narrowly missed out on the Tenno Sho, will be looking to cement his reputation on the international stage. He finished a head behind Calandagan in the Japan Cup last November and then produced a solid second‑place effort behind Romantic Warrior in Hong Kong over ten furlongs.
The extra distance of the King George, run over a mile and a half, should suit his stamina, though some observers remain uncertain about how well he will handle Ascot’s unique undulating track. Japanese connections are hopeful that a strong performance could finally break the long‑standing “King George hoodoo” that has plagued their horses in recent years.
Also in the mix are Kalpana and Goliath, two closely matched contenders who have both earned placings in the Hardwicke Stakes. Their recent form suggests they could be serious threats, especially if the race unfolds at a brisk pace. Aidan O'Brien adds depth to the lineup with four entries, the most notable being Benvenuto Cellini. The Irish Derby winner made a convincing comeback in his last outing and will be making his first appearance against older horses.
The involvement of Ryan Moore as his rider adds an extra layer of intrigue, given Moore’s reputation for extracting peak performances from top‑class stayers. The Moët & Chandon International Handicap, scheduled for 2:55 pm, features a field of seventeen, including Mezcala and Extremely Zain.
Extremely Zain arrives unbeaten in three starts and has already shown Group‑level potential by easily surpassing a rating of 93 at York. The handicapper has responded with an eight‑pound increase, indicating that this could be his final run under handicap conditions before stepping up to higher class races.
He will break from stall eight under Tom Marquand, who replaces Cieren Fallon for this contest. Other notable storylines include Hollie Doyle’s Thunder Call, who is expected to make an impact in the Shergar Cup later in the day, and former Premier League striker Kevin Doyle’s quest for Cheltenham Festival glory with his horses Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi. Meanwhile, Ryan Moore has been honoured with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, underscoring his status as one of the sport’s most celebrated jockeys. Benvenuto Cellini leads O’Brien’s quartet in the Epsom Classic, while Jack Channon’s Mezcala, a former Spring Mile winner, will line up from stall 13 with George Bass aboard.
Completely Random, who was narrowly beaten over six furlongs at Wokingham, looks the type to improve over the added distance, especially with Ryan Moore in the saddle. Back In Black and Aalto round out a strong shortlist, with Aalto carrying a modest three‑pound penalty after his recent Bunbury Cup triumph.
The Group 3 Valiant Stakes will feature an excellent field, with particular attention on Touleen, who is stepping down in class. Owen Burrows’ three‑year‑old filly, who ran a fast‑finishing second in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, will face older rivals for the first time, now ridden by William Buick after Saffie Osborne’s replacement. She carries a seven‑pound rating advantage and should be difficult to beat if she gets a clear run. Skydance, a classy filly who previously beat the future Oaks winner Thundering On in a maiden at Leopardstown, remains a strong contender despite a recent layoff.
Kon Tiki, who posted a career‑best fourth place behind Blue Bolt in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes, also merits respect in this grade. Sukanya and Esna are rated as solid each‑way options.
The day’s programme continues with the Group 3 Princess Margaret Japan Cup Stakes at 1:45 pm. Dark Issue and Alta Regina are among the favourites, while Moonrise, who was unlucky in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot, could provide a surprise factor for jockeys Oisin Murphy and Andrew Balding. Later, the Betfred Handicap at 4:45 pm will see Blue RC, Urban Lion and Crown Board line up, with Asmen Warrior also in contention for trainer James Owen. Over at Chester, Sea Idol heads a six‑horse field in the IRE Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Maiden Stakes at 3:10 pm, and the Wilson Family Handicap at 3:48 pm features Postmodern, owned by the Wathnan family, as a leading contender for the Hamad Al Jehani prize.
Finally, Lingfield hosts the RJB Agri EBF Novice Stakes at 7:00 pm, where Godolphin’s Catching Dreams, trained by Charlie Appleby, will make his debut. The colt has shown promise in training and could deliver a strong first performance for a stable that has been on a roll this season. Overall, the Ascot meeting offers a rich tapestry of narratives, from seasoned champions defending their crowns to emerging talents stepping up to test their mettle against established stars. With a blend of international intrigue, seasoned jockeys, and a deep field across multiple grades, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes day is set to be a highlight of the British flat‑racing calendar.