Ascot Racecourse is preparing for an exceptional renewal of the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday. This event is seen as a significant step in the racecourse’s strategy to elevate the King George to Europe’s premier racing prize, aiming to rival the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
The racecourse recently announced annual pre-tax profits of £10.5m in 2025 and revealed that next year’s King George will feature a British-record prize fund of £2.5m. This follows a £2m prize fund for the current year’s race. The long-term goal is to match the prize money offered by the Longchamp showpiece, which currently stands at €5m (£4.24m).
King George Stakes: A Strategic Focus
Nick Smith, Ascot’s director of racing and public affairs, stated that a conscious strategic decision was made two years ago to focus on the King George as their primary race asset. While the Royal Meeting is distinct, the King George is now considered more central than other races like the Gold Cup or the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
This year’s King George is anticipated to be one of the strongest in recent memory, featuring a field that includes Calandagan and Masquerade Ball, identified as top racehorses from the previous year. Also competing is Benvenuto Cellini, the Irish Derby winner, along with Kalpana, Minnie Hauk, and Goliath, a previous winner of the event.
The presence of Masquerade Ball, one of two Japanese-trained runners, is particularly noteworthy. Japan’s racing industry places high value on stamina in its champions, and millions of Japanese fans are expected to watch, hoping for a first-ever victory in the contest. A win for Masquerade Ball could establish him as a significant stallion prospect in Japan.
Takahisa Tezuka, trainer of Masquerade Ball, expressed satisfaction with the horse’s condition following its journey to the UK, noting that the horse has matured physically and mentally. Masquerade Ball finished closely behind Calandagan in the Japan Cup, with only a head separating them. The horse’s recent performance, finishing second to Romantic Warrior over 10 furlongs, suggests continued progress.
Supporting Races and Selections
The King George Weekend at Ascot also features several other races. The Longines Valiant Stakes at 2:20 on Saturday includes SKYDANCE, trained by Willie McCreery. This horse showed strong form last season, placing in Group 3 and Group 2 races and performing well in the Moyglare Stud Stakes. SKYDANCE also secured a notable win in a maiden race at Leopardstown upon its seasonal return.
In the Moet & Chandon International Handicap at 2:55, COMPLETELY RANDOM, trained by Harry Charlton, is a contender. This five-year-old ran well in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot, finishing just a head behind Double Rush. The horse responded positively to first-time cheekpieces in that race and is expected to perform well over seven furlongs.
The concluding Whispering Angel Handicap at 5:20 features SIR YOSHI, trained by Geoff Harker. This four-year-old has been dropping in the ratings and showed promise in its latest outing at Pontefract, making significant late ground. The course and distance at Ascot are expected to suit its running style.
Other selections for Saturday’s races include Amazing Journey for the 2:55 Ascot race, who was an impressive winner previously, and Blue Rc for the 4:45 Ascot race, after a strong second-place finish in the Royal Hunt Cup last month. Getreadytorumble is noted for the 5:20 Ascot race, having experienced misfortune in recent starts. The King George Weekend races are scheduled to be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing on Friday, July 24th and Saturday, July 25th.
Source: theguardian.com
Adam Rutherford is a Senior Football Correspondent at News-UK. He spent his early career filing match reports across the North West. He focuses on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Manchester Metropolitan University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Manchester, he coaches a youth team and watches grassroots football. “Every transfer window hides a dozen real stories.”
