One of the most important races of the entire flat season, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is the first all age 1m4f Group 1 on the calendar. It acts as a midseason precursor to the European Pattern’s concluding showpiece, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and 2026 is set to be another historic and pulsating renewal.

15:35 Ascot

King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Group 1)

• Going Good To Firm
• Distance 1m 3f 211y
• Class Class 1
• Race Type Flat Turf
• Surface Turf
• Runners 9
• Win Time 2m 27s

GG Edge Standard Compact

Win% is implied from the betting forecast

1st 6 (6) 1 tip Kalpana W: 9st 6lb Age: 5 yo Filly

13/2 (Won)

J: Colin Keane T: Andrew Balding

OR: 120 RPR: 131 Form: 271-12

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

2nd 1 (7) 7 tips Calandagan OUR TIP W: 9st 9lb Age: 5 yo Gelding

6/5

J: Mickael Barzalona T: F-H Graffard

OR: 130 RPR: 136 Form: 11-141

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

3rd 9 (9) 1 tip Benvenuto Cellini W: 8st 12lb Age: 3 yo Colt

4/1

J: Ryan Moore T: A P O’Brien

OR: 119 RPR: 128 Form: 13-1V1

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

4th 3 (2) Lambourn W: 9st 9lb Age: 4 yo Colt

50/1

J: William Buick T: A P O’Brien

OR: 113 RPR: 125 Form: 4-1305

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

5th 2 (5) 1 tip Goliath W: 9st 9lb Age: 6 yo Gelding

12/1

J: Christophe Soumillon T: F-H Graffard

OR: 119 RPR: 129 Form: 03-213

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

6th 8 (8) Action W: 8st 12lb Age: 3 yo Colt

125/1

J: Sean Levey T: A P O’Brien

OR: 111 RPR: 120 Form: 2-4207

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

7th 4 (4) 1 tip Masquerade Ball W: 9st 9lb Age: 4 yo Colt

13/2

J: Christophe-Patrice Lemaire T: Takahisa Tezuka

OR: 128 RPR: 133 Form: 3212-2

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

8th 7 (1) 2 tips Minnie Hauk W: 9st 6lb Age: 4 yo Filly

17/2

J: Wayne Lordan T: A P O’Brien

OR: 123 RPR: 133 Form: 26-152

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

9th 5 (3) Wurttemberg W: 9st 9lb Age: 6 yo Horse

40/1

J: Oisin Murphy T: Hiroshi Miyamoto

OR: 116 RPR: 123 Form: 976-42

GG Racing Score — Ability — Draw — Jockey — Trainer — Course — Distance —

+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

Who are This Year’s King George Favourites?

British hopes go up against a substantial international challenge in the 2026 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Calandagan is back to defend his title after his impressive success last year. Masquerade Ball may also run for Japan, having been denied so narrowly by Calandagan in the Japan Cup. For Ireland and Aidan O’Brien, Irish Derby hero Benevenuto Cellini could step up against his elders too.

Who are This Year’s King George Underdogs?

Last year’s runner-up Kalpana has regularly run well at a high level. She has two Group 1s at Ascot to her name, while Bay City Roller could ensure the hosts serve it up to the strong away challenge. Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runner-up Minnie Hauk adds further depth to a good renewal.

Last Year’s King George Odds

French runner Calandagan was the 11/10 favourite when storming to success round Swinley Bottom last season. He returns for the 2026 renewal.

Betting Strategies for the King George

The King George can be betted on in several different ways depending on whether you prefer high stakes or just a bit of weekend fun. Below are some of the methods and factors to look out for when betting on the big race.

Outright Winner

The winner of the King George is what all punters will be looking for. Most will stick to this market, where you simply place a bet of your chosen value on your horse to be first past the post.

Each Way

The King George boasted a double-figure field last year, ensuring that each-way betting amounted to three or even four places with some firms. If there is  an underdog or outsider you fancy to go close in the King George, you can back them each-way for a profit if they finish just outside of the winning position.

Draw Biases

With Ascot’s tight turns, it can sometimes pay to have a convenient draw. Form the 1m4f start, it can be beneficial to be drawn on the inside unless the ground is tacky, in which case a wider draw from which to race across from can be a bonus.

Trends

Looking at the trends in terms of age, starting price, trainer/jockey combinations and more can give you an edge over the bookies when it comes to betting on this race. Dave Young, our trends man, will preview all of the key statistics well ahead of time to narrow down the field for you.

King George Odds of Past 10 Winners

Between 2016 and 2020, four out of five favourites were successful in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The only horse who didn’t, Poet’s Word, was a 7/4 shot, so every winner went off at a very short price. However, Calandagan was the first winning favourite for five years when successful in 2025.