The upcoming King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes has become the focal point of this weekend’s racing calendar, and on the latest edition of Weekend Winners, presenter Kate Tracey sat down with pundits Declan Rix and Sam Boswell to dissect the field and weigh up the contenders. A total of nine horses will line up for the Saturday showdown, headlined by last year’s victor Calandagan, who will be looking to repeat his triumph after edging out the late‑season challenger Kalpana in the previous edition.
Also in the mix is the Japanese import Masquerade Ball, a horse that was denied a win by the narrowest of margins in the Japan Cup on home soil and now hopes to exact revenge on the Aga Khan‑owned champion. Aidan O’Brien will have a quartet of runners representing the Ballydoyle stable. The most prominent among them are Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini and the 2025 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runner‑up Minnie Hauk, both of whom have shown the class to handle a 12‑furlong test.
Meanwhile, the 2024 King George champion Goliath will be back under the experienced hands of Christophe Soumillon, aiming to reclaim the title he lost the previous year. "Last year’s race unfolded in a way that perfectly suited Calandagan," one of the experts explained. "If you ever wanted to stage a 12‑furlong contest on fast ground for him, you’d end up with a gallop from start to finish because the lad is built for a ten‑furlong, top‑class rhythm.
I was stunned by how Ballydoyle mis‑read the tactics and let the race turn into a sprint‑type finish." He went on to speculate on how the conditions might differ this time around. "I don’t think the race will play out the same way this year. With the likes of Action and Lambourn likely to push the pace early, we could see a genuine test for both Minnie Hauk and Benvenuto Cellini. The question is whether that tempo will still suit Calandagan.
I have a nagging feeling that a sustained 12‑furlong gallop could expose a change‑of‑gear issue for him." Nevertheless, the commentator still rated the Irish veteran as the strongest contender. "He’s older, stronger and still in form this season – although I may be overstating his chances after that disappointing run at Epsom earlier in the year." The discussion then turned to the Japanese challengers, with particular emphasis on Masquerade Ball’s recent performance in the Japan Cup.
"It was a massive effort for Calandagan to travel to Japan and give a top‑class horse a run for its money," the analyst noted. "You could make a solid case for either him or Masquerade Ball on Saturday, but at the odds I’m inclined to back Masquerade Ball." A brief interlude highlighted other racing news: Hollie Doyle warned that Thunder Call could feature in the Shergar Cup at Ascot, while Kevin Doyle – a former Premier League striker – is now pursuing a dream at the Cheltenham Festival with his horses Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi. In other headlines, Ryan Moore has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, and Benvenuto Cellini leads O’Brien’s four‑horse contingent for the Epsom Classic. Returning to the King George preview, the panel examined the condition of the Japanese horses after a media day at Newmarket.
"They looked fit and the trainer was clearly excited about being here," one pundit said. "The track is an unknown factor for the Japanese runners, especially after the long journey." When it came to pricing, the expert admitted his odds were shifting. "I was looking at 9/2 for Calandagan, but 7/2 is as short as I’d feel comfortable going. The ground and track are ideal for him, yet if I can get 4/1 on Masquerade Ball I’ll take it." For fans who want to stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing stories, interviews and features, the network encourages downloading the Sky Sports Racing app.
All the action, including the full Weekend Winners programme, will also be available on the At The Races YouTube channel, ensuring that viewers can catch every insight before the big day at Ascot.