Ascot is set to host the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday, an event that race organisers have highlighted as a significant fixture. 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 of £2.5m.
The track has also cleared its debt, having paid off the final £3m of a loan taken for its grandstand in 2006. Attendance figures for last month’s Royal meeting saw an increase across all five days, establishing a post-Covid record.
King George’s renewed focus
In recent years, the King George, a 12-furlong all-aged Group One race, has faced challenges in maintaining its prize money and prestige compared to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. However, Nick Smith, Ascot‘s director of racing and public affairs, stated that a strategic decision was made two years ago to prioritise the King George as their main race asset.
This year’s renewal features a prize fund of £2m, making it the most valuable race in Ascot‘s history, at least until next year’s increase. Smith described the current field as the strongest this century, including last year’s top two racehorses, Calandagan and Masquerade Ball, along with the leading one-and-a-half mile three-year-old, Benvenuto Cellini. Other notable contenders include Kalpana, Minnie Hauk, and Goliath, a previous winner.
The presence of Masquerade Ball, one of two Japanese-trained runners, is particularly significant. Japan’s racing industry is known for valuing stamina in its champions. Millions of Japanese fans are anticipated to watch the race, hoping for a historic victory. Ascot‘s broader goal is to promote the King George as a premier race in its own right.
Smith emphasised the race’s heritage, noting that the course will display flags with the colours of every past King George winner. He underscored that the event is promoted as Britain’s premier all-aged race and a special sporting moment.
International contenders and local tips
Masquerade Ball‘s participation follows a journey to Britain, with trainer Takahisa Tezuka expressing satisfaction with the horse’s condition since arriving on 12 July. Tezuka highlighted Masquerade Ball‘s physical and mental development from three to four years old, noting that the horse appears happy and training is progressing well.
The Japanese colt finished closely behind Calandagan in the Japan Cup, with only 2lb separating them on ratings. Benvenuto Cellini, the Irish Derby winner, is another strong competitor. Minnie Hauk, who secured a close second in a previous Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, also showed strong form in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes.
For the supporting races at Ascot, several tips have been offered. In the Longines Valiant Stakes at 2:20, SKYDANCE, trained by Willie McCreery, is a preferred choice. This horse has shown strong form, including a notable win at Leopardstown. The Moet & Chandon International Handicap at 2:55 sees a preference for COMPLETELY RANDOM, trained by Harry Charlton, who performed well at Royal Ascot. In the concluding Whispering Angel Handicap at 5:20, SIR YOSHI, trained by Geoff Harker, is considered a contender, having shown promise in a recent outing at Pontefract.
Other tips for Saturday’s races include Getreadytorumble for the 5:20 Ascot race, Fantastic Fox for the 4:00 Newcastle race, and Blue Rc for the 4:45 Ascot race. Amazing Journey is noted for the 2:55 Ascot race, while Son is tipped for the 3:05 York race. Damysus is also fancied for the 2:35 York race.
The long-term ambition for Ascot is to eventually match the prize money of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which currently stands at €5m (£4.24m). Smith acknowledged that this goal would take several years to achieve, but the increased prize money for the King George is seen as a clear indication of their commitment.
The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes is scheduled to take place on Saturday.
Source: theguardian.com
As NewsGB's Senior Football Correspondent, Jack Ferndale reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He covered north-east football for a regional daily. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland and completed an NCTJ diploma. Jack lives in Sunderland, where he watches lower-league football home and away. “The story is in the squad, not just the starting eleven.”
