Eight runners remain in contention for Saturday's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
King George 2025
Described as Britain’s most prestigious open-age flat race, the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes was established in 1951 and often pitches Epsom Derby winners against their elders.
There are currently eight entries for the race with Aidan O’Brien currently holding four of those including Coronation Cup winner Jan Brueghel and Derby winner Lambourn.
O'Brien has not won this race since 2016 but the four-year-old Jan Brueghel has won five of his six starts for Ballydoyle, including last year's St Leger at Doncaster.
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Who is the favourite to win the King George at Ascot?
| King George Winner | Best Odds | Worst Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Calandagan | 7/4 | 13/8 |
| Jan Brueghel | 9/4 | 15/8 |
| Kalpana | 5/1 | 4/1 |
| Rebel's Romance | 13/2 | 9/2 |
| Lambourn | 12/1 | 8/1 |
| Whirl | 20/1 | 10/1 |
| Green Impact | 33/1 | 25/1 |
| Continuous | 100/1 | 40/1 |
The bookmakers' favourite to win the King George at Ascot is French raider Calandagan, who comes into the race on the back of a Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud success last month.
Jan Brueghel is a close second favourite at the confirmation stage, while Kalpana (second in the Pretty Polly behind Whirl) and Rebel's Romance (last seen winning the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot) are vying for a place in the market's top three.
King George Winners, Trends & Stats
Enable won this race three times in 2017, 2018 and 2020 and interestingly is one of the previous three winners from the classic generation to have either won the Oaks or Derby prior to winning this race proving that you need to be one of the best of your generation to win this race.
- 12 of the previous 12 winners had won the trip of 1m4f
- 10 of the previous 12 winners were rated 118 or higher
- 10 of the previous 12 winners had already won a Group 1 race
- Nine of the previous 12 winners were aged four or older
- Seven of the previous 12 winners were last time out winners
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King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Runners Guide
Calandagan
Has yet to finish out of the top 3 in his 11 race career to date. Gained his first Group 1 victory in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud last time beating Aventure by 3 ½ lengths. Had previously finished 2nd beaten half a length behind Jan Brueghel in the Coronation Cup at Epsom.
He won the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes over this course and distance last season before finishing 2nd in the Champion Stakes on his only other start at the track. Francis- Henri Graffard won this race last season with Goliath and his representative this year should hold strong claims.
Jan Brueghel
Last year’s St Leger winner who lost his unbeaten record on his reappearance this season when 2nd in the Group 3 Alleged Stakes. Bounced back to win the Group 1 Coronation Cup beating Calandagan by half a length at Epsom last time and that form has been boosted with the runner-up winning the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on his next start. He appears to be the first choice from the Aidan O’Brien stable who last won this with Highland Reel in 2016 under Ryan Moore.
Kalpana
Won over this course and distance last season in the Group 1 Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes on soft ground but missed Royal Ascot due to the fast ground. She finished 3rd beaten only 1 ½ lengths in the Tattersalls Gold Cup on her reappearance before finishing 2nd beaten 1 ¼ lengths behind Whirl in the Pretty Polly Stakes last time. This step back up in trip to 1m4f should suit her well back at this track.
Rebel’s Romance
Seven-year-old who has won £10.8 million in prize money with a record of 18 victories from 26 starts. Could only finish 3rd in this race last season but was better than ever winning the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. Prolific winner who cannot be ruled out back up to Group 1 level.
Lambourn
Three-year-old who won the Chester Vase prior to Derby glory at both Epsom and the Curragh. Aidan O’Brien has stated that this is an unlikely target and he is more likely to run at York in the Great Voltigeur Stakes. If he were to run then he would hold strong claims on weight-adjusted ratings.
Whirl
Top class three-year-old filly who has won twice over 1m2f so far this season in both the Musidora Stakes and the Pretty Polly Stakes when defeating Kalpana. The form of her 2nd behind Minnie Hauk in the Oaks has been boosted with that rival following up in the Irish Oaks on Saturday but Whirl appeared better over the shorter distance last time. She would rate an unlikely runner at present with the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood surely being favoured.
Green Impact
Beat subsequent Coral Eclipse winner Delacroix twice last season including in the Group 2 Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown. The Jessie Harrington trained colt finished 6th in the 2000 Guineas on his reappearance before winning a listed race at Leopardstown over 1m1f on his next start. Upped in trip to 1m4f for the first time in the Irish Derby, he finished 6th beaten 3 ¾ lengths.
Continuous
2023 St Leger winner who hasn’t tasted victory since the Group 3 Royal Whip Stakes last season. Has been sent off 50/1, 66/1 and 100/1 for his three latest starts at Group 1 level when used as a pacemaker for better fancied stablemates.
King George Trainers & Jockeys To Watch
John Gosden has won this race five times since 2011 with Nathaniel (2011), Taghrooda (2014) and Enable (2017, 2019 & 2020) all winning for the trainer. Aidan O’Brien has won the race four times since 2001 with Galileo (2001), Dylan Thomas (2007), Duke Of Marmalade (2008) and Highland Reel (2016).
Christophe Soumillion (Hurricane Run in 2006 and Goliath last year), William Buick (Nathaniel in 2011 and Adayar in 2021) and Ryan Moore (Conduit in 2009 and Highland Reel in 2016) have all won this race twice recently.
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King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Tips
This looks a strong renewal of the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes this year with Jan Brueghel, Rebel’s Romance and CALANDAGAN all hitting the main five trends highlighted.
Francis-Henri Graffard won this race last season with Goliath and he runs Calandagan (advised on 15th July) this year who has a good record at Ascot. An impressive winner of the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot last season on good to firm ground, he finished 2nd dropped to 1m2f on his next two starts behind City Of Troy and Anmaat.
Calandagan didn’t appear to be in love with the track at Epsom when 2nd behind Jan Brueghel and he is expected to reverse that form back at Ascot. He gained his first Group 1 success in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud last time beating Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runner-up Aventure by 3 ½ lengths in impressive style. This return to faster ground will be no inconvenience to the son of Gleneagles and he looks the one to beat.
Advised Selection: Calandagan 9/4 (1pt) - advised 15/07/2025.
