The 76th running of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes looks set to be an international showpiece between the world’s best middle-distance horses with Calandagan and Masquerade Ball headlining entries as well as the Derby winner Christmas Day and the Oaks heroine Thundering On.
The race has long been the target for Japanese star Masquerade Ball who won the Group 1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) last year before finishing second by a head to Calandagan in the Japan Cup, which was the joint-best race in the world last year.
Masquerade Ball returned to action this year in Hong Kong, finishing second to Romantic Warrior in the QEII Cup, while Calandagan won the Dubai Sheema Classic before seemingly failing to perform on the ground at Epsom in the Coronation Cup. The pair are now set to meet again at Ascot for a tantalising rematch on Saturday 25th July.
Takahisa Tezuka, trainer of Masquerade Ball, said: “We started discussing about an international campaign for Masquerade Ball after he won the Tenno Sho Autumn, when I got the impression that this horse could be competitive on the world stage. His owners, Shadai Race Horse, have been very keen to send him to the King George and we agreed it should be the target for Masquerade Ball.
“This race holds great significance for the owner, and we made our decision with that in mind. As a prestigious race for older horses in the UK, it provides an excellent opportunity and serves as a favourable alternative to competing in Japan during the hot season.
“This is the first time I will have a runner at Ascot, which is the Royal track, and I am very excited and am honored. The shipping, which takes 48 hours from door to door, will be a big challenge but I believe Masquerade Ball is a horse worthy of representing Japan. While we face a strong international field, we are looking forward to the challenge and hope we can deliver a performance that introduces Masquerade Ball to the racing fans here in the UK.”
Masquerade Ball looks set to be joined by fellow Japanese traveller Wurrtemberg, a four-time winner in Japan. Oisin Murphy is booked to ride the six-year-old who produced a career best performance when going down by just a nose to Croix Du Nord in the Group 1 Tenno Sho (Spring) this May.
Hiroshi Miyamoto, trainer of Wurrtemberg, said: “I am very excited to have a runner in one of the most prestigious races in the country which is the origin of horse racing. After Wurrtemberg was narrowly beaten by Croix du Nord in the Tenno Sho Spring, we discussed the plan of sending Wurrtemberg to the UK.
“His owner, Mr Teruya Yoshida, has long admired this event, often describing it as a ‘dream race’. This inspired me to pursue the opportunity for our horse to compete in such an iconic race and European venue.
“Though we considered the Goodwood Cup, which is only a few days after the King George, two miles at a European track could be too tough for a Japanese horse and so we have selected the King George as the race to run in. It is a prestigious and historic race and, ever since I sent Clincher to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 2018, I have been looking forward to having another chance to have a runner in a major race in Europe.”
Entries from France include three for Francis-Henri Graffard who is bidding for a third-straight success in the race. The 2024 winner Goliath and 2025 winner Calandagan are joined at the initial entry stage by Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Daryz. Best Secret for Stephane Wattel and Caulificar for Andre Fabre complete the possible French contingent.
There are 37 early closing entries in total and the potential British and Irish challenge includes the first three home in the Derby in Christmas Day, Maltese Cross and James J Braddock. Aidan O’Brien, who has won the race four times, has entered 11 horses in total with Benvenuto Cellini, Constitution River, Jan Brueghel, Lambourn and Minnie Hauk among his possible runners.
The Oaks winner Thundering On is entered for Joseph O’Brien as well as the second, Legacy Link, for John & Thady Gosden who have also given their unbeaten colt Water To Wine the option. Last year’s second Kalpana, the Coronation Cup winner Bay City Roller and Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Almaqam look other obvious contenders at this stage.
The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes will be run for a record £2 million this year. In 2025, the race was won by the Longines World’s Best Racehorse, Calandagan, while the race itself was officially the fourth best race run anywhere in the world and the best mile and a half race in Europe.