Run in July at Ascot, the flat version of the King George, not to be confused with the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, is one of the biggest Group 1s of the entire season in the UK and Ireland. Although the race does not have the prestige of the Classic races run throughout the season, it is open to all horses of three years and upwards, ensuring it is the first point at which that season’s Classic generation can meet their elders.

It is contested over 1m4f, the same distance as the Epsom Derby run a month beforehand. It has been contested since 1951, while Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is on the roll of honour as an owner: her Aureole was the first four-year-old winner in 1954.

Last year’s race saw the French raider Calandagan cruise clear in sumptuous style to win for the continent. A year on, our tipsters have the following selections.

15:35 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Group 1)

Masquerade Ball

J: Christophe-Patrice Lemaire

T: Takahisa Tezuka

Result

7th 13/2

Our editors believe Japanese raider Masquerade Ball can claim a global victory in the King George. With little ground to find with Calandagan and arriving fresh, he looks the value option against the favourite.

King George Favourites Runners & Form

15:35 Ascot

Good To Firm

King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Group 1)

• First Prize: £1134200
• 1m 3f 211y
• Class 1
• 9 runners
• Win time: 2m 27s

1st

6 (6)

1 tip

Kalpana

J: Colin Keane

T: Andrew Balding

13/2 (Won)

• Win: £7.50
• Place: £2.00

in touch with leaders, headway 3f out, led under 2f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, ran on well final furlong

OUR TIP

2nd

1 (7)

7 tips

Calandagan

J: Mickael Barzalona

T: F-H Graffard

6/5

• Place: £1.15

held up in rear, headway on outer 2f out, went second over 1f out, ran on

3rd

9 (9)

1 tip

Benvenuto Cellini

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

4/1

• Place: £1.75

held up in rear, headway 3f out, briefly went second over 1f out, soon hung right, ran on towards finish

4th

3 (2)

Lambourn

J: William Buick

T: A P O’Brien

50/1

prominent, briefly led 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, rallied towards finish

5th

2 (5)

1 tip

Goliath

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: F-H Graffard

12/1

held up in rear, headway when not clear run over 2f out, weakened over 1f out

6th

8 (8)

Action

J: Sean Levey

T: A P O’Brien

125/1

soon led, increased tempo 6f out, headed and weakened over 2f out

7th

4 (4)

1 tip

Masquerade Ball

J: Christophe-Patrice Lemaire

T: Takahisa Tezuka

13/2

took keen hold, always behind, struggling over 3f out (jockey said colt ran too free)

8th

7 (1)

2 tips

Minnie Hauk

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

17/2

prominent, briefly led over 2f out, soon weakened

9th

5 (3)

Wurttemberg

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hiroshi Miyamoto

40/1

in touch with leaders, weakened and eased 4f out (trainer could offer no explanation for the poor form shown; vet examined horse post-race and had nothing to report)

+o+e Betting Returns

	Payout
Exacta	£18.00
Straight Forecast	£14.69
Tricast	£35.84
Trifecta	£62.50

Selections

D Express:

Minnie Hauk

Daily Mail:

Calandagan

Daily Mirror:

Calandagan

Daily Record:

Benvenuto Cellini

POSTDATA:

Goliath

RP RATINGS:

Calandagan

SPOTLIGHT:

Calandagan

TOPSPEED:

Kalpana

Telegraph:

Calandagan

The Guardian:

Masquerade Ball

The Star:

Minnie Hauk

The Sun:

Calandagan

The Times:

Calandagan

King George Racecourse 

The King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is among the most prestigious races run all season at Ascot. The Berkshire track is, of course, most famous for its Royal meeting in June, but the King George is actually held in July, one month on from their big five days.

The race is run over 1m4f of the flat track, with a 3f straight at the end testing stamina right to the very end. Depending on the ground, this can be a far greater test for younger horses than the Derby, with much more of an impetus on staying power than on late speed, which can be more prevalent on Epsom’s cambers.

Two bends are negotiated around Ascot’s circuit, so a decent inside draw can be very useful in order to get the best track position.

Betting Strategies for the King George

The King George is a great race for bringing top horses of multiple generations together, although that can sometimes come at a cost to the quantity in the line-up. However, that does not mean players cannot find their favourite way to play.

Each Way

The Covid-affected 2020 edition was the only recent renewal of the King George to attract a field of four or fewer runners, making it impossible to bet each-way. However, ordinarily there would be no worries about finding each way with two places for the race, with last year’s event ensuring three places due to a field size of nine. A similar size of field this year would be very welcome.

Non Runner No Bet

This far out from the race, betting with Non Runner No Bet terms can provide a nice safety blanket for players. The odds on your selection may not be as generous as they would be otherwise, but you will not lose on your bet if your horse never makes it to the race.

Forecast Betting

Even in the 2020 renewal, in which only three horses went to post, you could have found a way to bet on the forecast and return a decent profit given 12/1 outsider Sovereign followed home odds-on favourite Enable. If you call this correctly, or on reverse terms when the field is slightly bigger, then you can significantly increase your winnings.

Without the Favourite

When odds-on or short-priced favourites take part in the King George, betting without the favourite can ensure a victorious bet whether your horse comes first or second, as long as the winner is the favourite.

Are There Any Specific King George Betting Offers?

With the King George only a stepping stone of the flat season that is much further down the line, there are no bookmakers who are yet offering specific promotions in relation to the race. These will become available as the race time approaches.

King George Trends & Historic Data

31 of the 73 renewals of the King George have gone to three-year-olds, with the Classic generation punching above their weight given the most generous allowances they receive all season over middle distances. Yet despite those allowances being in place, only four three-year-olds have won since 2004, with Galileo and Adayar the only Derby winners to follow up in the King George that same year.

Only three horses older than five have been successful in the race, though it is possible the tide is turning in the King George; where the Classic age are struggling more than before, two six-year-olds have now won in the last six renewals, including Hukum in 2023.

This is a rare UK Group 1 in which Aidan O’Brien does not hold the record, with his four wins paling in comparison to Sir Michael Stoute’s six victories. His first in 1981 came via one of the most famous names in racing history: Shergar’s last career victory before his infamous kidnapping came in the race.

King George Past Winners