Ascot's mid-summer showpiece, the Group One King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, could see trainer Francis-Henri Graffard achieve a remarkable feat this Saturday. The French handler, who has claimed the prestigious race in the last two seasons with Goliath in 2024 and Calandagan last year, is aiming for a historic third consecutive win.
Graffard could potentially field both his past champions in this year's renewal, a move that would place him in an elite group alongside Noel Murless and Saeed Bin Suroor, the only other trainers to have secured three consecutive King George victories. All eyes will be on Calandagan, last year's winner, who finished 2025 as the world's highest-rated horse following his King George triumph, which he complemented with successes in the Champion Stakes and the Japan Cup.
Calandagan's performance is expected to be strong on the fast ground conditions, which are perfectly suited to him. The race also sets the stage for a fascinating rematch, as Japanese horse Masquerade Ball, whom Calandagan narrowly defeated in the Japan Cup, is set to line up. Masquerade Ball, trained by Takahisa Tezuka, has only had one outing since that defeat, finishing second to Romantic Warrior at Sha Tin in April. The Irish Derby winner, Benvenuto Cellini, also adds significant interest to the field, though he faces a challenge against top-class older horses.
Concerns over Calandagan's disappointing effort in the Coronation Cup at Epsom, where his trainer attributed the run to unsuitable hock-deep ground, have been largely alleviated. The horse returned to form with a win in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud earlier this month, a performance that should have prepared him for his title defence at Ascot.
Beyond the King George, Ascot's card features other compelling races. The International Stakes, a significant handicap, sees William Haggas's three-year-old Extremely Zain as a strong favourite, unbeaten in three career starts. However, Akkadian Thunder and Ata Rangi are considered each-way value bets. In the Group Three Princess Margaret Japan Cup Stakes, Alta Regina from the Hamad Al Jehani yard is an interesting prospect, stepping up in trip after a promising run in the Queen Mary.