King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes: The contenders chasing glory

The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes takes centre stage at Ascot this weekend, with a talented field of nine runners set to battle it out for one of the biggest prizes of the Flat season.

The Group 1 contest has attracted an international line-up, with last year’s winner Calandagan bidding to defend his crown, while a strong Ballydoyle challenge and two Japanese contenders add further depth to the field.

Calandagan arrives as the one to beat after rediscovering his best form with victory in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud earlier this month. The Francis Graffard-trained six-time Group 1 winner bounced back from a disappointing run in the Coronation Cup at Epsom to secure another top-level success and now has the chance to become the first horse since Enable in 2019 to win the race in consecutive years.

Masquerade Ball provides one of the biggest dangers after producing some excellent international form. The Japanese raider came within a neck of Calandagan in last year’s Japan Cup at Tokyo before finishing runner-up behind Romantic Warrior in the QEII Cup at Sha Tin on his seasonal return. A return to a mile and a half could bring out the best in Takahisa Tezuka’s contender.

Aidan O’Brien arrives with four chances, led by Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini. The three-year-old was denied a run in the Derby at Epsom after getting his leg caught in the stalls, but bounced back by justifying favouritism at the Curragh. Ryan Moore has chosen to partner the colt, who now faces his biggest challenge yet against older Group 1 winners.

O’Brien also saddles Minnie Hauk, who could be a major player if returning to the form that saw her dominate the Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks last season. She finished runner-up in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot last month and could benefit from stepping back up to 1m4f.

Another contender with strong claims is Goliath, who knows exactly what it takes to win this race after landing the 2024 renewal at 25-1. The Francis Graffard-trained six-year-old has continued to perform at a high level and was unlucky not to finish closer in the Hardwicke Stakes after Cristophe Soumillon lost his irons in the closing stages.

Kalpana also returns to a track where she has enjoyed considerable success, having won the last two renewals of the Group 1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot. She finished second to Calandagan in last year’s King George and was only narrowly denied in the Hardwicke Stakes at the Royal meeting.

The field is completed by Lambourn, Action and Japanese challenger Wurttemberg, who all face a tough test but add further intrigue to a competitive renewal.

With defending champion Calandagan looking to cement his place among the greats of the race, a rising star in Benvenuto Cellini and several proven Group 1 performers standing in his way, this year’s King George promises to provide a fascinating contest at Ascot.