The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes is widely regarded as the most coveted open-age race in the British flat calendar. With an illustrious roll of honour containing the likes of Njinsky, Mill Reef, Brigadier Gerard, Shergar, Galileo and more recently Enable, this prestigious race attracts only the highest calibre of thoroughbreds at the middle distance trip, many of whom have shaped the breeding of elite talent for generations.
Market Leaders
Jan Brueghel
Despite only making his debut last May, Jan Brueghel has rapidly stamped his authority on the middle distance scene with form figures 111121. The Galileo colt made a promising debut in a Curragh Maiden last May, stretching eight lengths clear in a race previously won by subsequent St Leger winner Galileo Chrome. He posted a rather workmanlike success in G3 company next time out when dourly staying on in the manner of one requiring further, and it was a similar effort when taking the G3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood over twelve furlongs giving 3lbs to Bellum Justum.
Despite evidently still looking somewhat unfurnished, connections stepped him up in trip once more to the St Leger and he made it four out of four in game fashion to fend off his smart stablemate Illinois. He returned this season with an underwhelming effort down in G3 company to be beaten by a moderate type, but that was over ten furlongs and like many of Aidan O’Brien’s he may have needed that first run back.
Any worries of not training on from his three year old career were quickly stepped aside, as he put in a relentless performance to beat Calandagan in the Coronation Cup, displaying every quality you’d wish to see in a high class middle distance thoroughbred. He is reminiscent of that of his father, who simply wouldn’t lay down without a fight, and he could prove exceptionally tough to beat should he back that Epsom effort up.
2025 King George Odds
Calandagan
French raider Calandagan has become something of a bridesmaid in Group One on the global scene, but his six length route in the King Edward VII Stakes last season placed him firmly in the higher echelons of staying talent.
The son of Gleneagles backed that effort up down in trip when second to City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International, having been given an almighty amount of work to do from midfield. He was one of the first off the bridle and swept through around the field, but couldn’t match the exceptional turn of foot displayed by City Of Troy who made all to put in one of the best performances in the race we’ve seen in recent years.
Calandagan backed that effort up when second to Anmaat in the Champions Stakes at Ascot, losing little in defeat having been collared by a very smart horse on his day with an unmatched turn of foot. He played second fiddle to smart sorts in two subsequent starts, notably in the Dubai Sheema Classic, but he proved he was capable of getting his head in front at the top level when a comfortable winner of the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
Having finally broken his Group One duck, connections have confirmed the rematch with Jan Brueghel is the plan and it looks set to be a fascinating battle between two exceptional middle distance types.
Kalpana
Plans regarding Kalpana seem up in the air at the moment, as her participation here might’ve been halted by her second to Whirl in the Pretty Polly Stakes, with the Yorkshire Oaks looking just as likely to be the next aim prior to a tilt toward the Arc.
That said, nothing is set in stone and should she come here then she’d have to merit serious consideration. The Study Of Man filly took the Fillies & Mares Stakes on Champions Day last season in magnificent style, displaying a smart turn of foot. For all the form didn’t look to be that strong, she’s backed that effort up twice this season without winning. She was third to Los Angeles and Anmaat on seasonal debut in the Tattersalls Gold Cup win short of room at a crucial stage when mounting a challenge, staying on well to take third. Little was lost in defeat there to two smart Group One performers in their own right, and I thought her second to Whirl in the Pretty Polly Stakes was just as respectable as she gave the winner 12lbs, pulling two lengths clear of the Oaks fourth Wemighttakedlongway.
It was perhaps a concern not to see her go past Whirl having travelled well into the race, but the suspicion is she may be better suited to twelve furlongs given her form over C&D and if turning up on the day, then she’ll likely be bang there at the finish.
Rebel’s Romance
Godolphin globetrotter Rebel’s Romance has been a model of consistency for Charlie Appleby throughout his career, with eighteen victories from twenty six efforts including seven Group One successes such as the Dubai Sheema Classic last season and latterly the coveted Breeders Cup Turf.
His form on these shores is barely a patch on what he’s achieved overseas, but it does read 11111311, with the sole defeat coming in this contest last season. He landed the Yorkshire Cup in spite of the trip being a touch too far for him, and he put up a career best in Britain last time out when landing the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot in gritty fashion, with the win looking assured as far out as the turn for home.
The Hardwicke has been a good pointer toward this contest in recent seasons, with last years second Goliath going one better in the King George, so while he would likely have to put up a career best here against a seriously talented bunch, it’s certainly not out of the question with the way he’s performing this season.
Amiloc
The participation of Amiloc will likely hinge on the ground, who won in spite of changing legs several times in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot on ground that Rossa Ryan describe after as unsuitable.
It would be unusual for a gelding to take this, with Cirrus Des Aigles in 2012 the last gelding to win the race prior to Goliath last season, but that does suggest we shouldn’t be put off by Amiloc’s lack of cojones as he makes up for that in the figurative sense of the term, demonstrated when gamely landing the Group Two over C&D from the progressive Zahrann last time out.
The Postponed gelding perhaps isn’t getting the respect he deserves, as he’s five from five and has improved on RPR’s on each occasion. He strikes me as the type to improve in a higher quality of race and one of this nature, with Ballydoyle pacemakers in for Jan Brueghel, could draw out his stamina laden pedigree (Authorized mare).
Outsiders To Consider
Merchant
The Gordon Stakes at Goodwood appears the most likely plan for the impressive King George V Stakes Handicap winner Merchant, but after having that form franked by the Irish Derby runner up Serious Contender it would be no surprise should that tempt connections to come here.
The Teofilo colt has progressed markedly since stepped up to this distance, landing a competitive York handicap in a comfortable manner and the way he easily pulled wide and came down the outside under hands and heels suggested he is miles above his mark.
Sosie
Sosie lost very little in defeat in the Coral Eclipse despite finishing last of the six, as he was only beaten four lengths and was potentially unsuited by having to make most of the running. The quick ground was also up against him, which would be concerning once again, but he’s a Group One winner over this trip and was fourth in the Arc last season, so a strongly run contest at this trip will suit given he can sit just off the pace, enabling to settle and open up his stride.
Verdict
The hardy Jan Brueghel could prove incredibly tough to pass as he fits the mould of the winners in the contest of the past, and the rematch between him and his Epsom runner-up will be one for the ages. He is no price to be taking at this stage, however, and it is worth nothing that Aidan O’Brien has surprisingly won just one renewal of this in the last decade.
It has the potential to cut up plenty, as the likes of Whirl, Minnie Hawk and Lambourn may await other targets with Jan Brueghel the clear number one and Continuous, perhaps alongside Trinity College, the likeliest of the Coolmore battalion to set the pace.
Almaqam, Kalpana and Amiloc will all be hindered by the forecast firmer surface, so the value may lie with Rebel’s Romance at this stage for each-way players. There is a slight concern that he was beaten into third in this last season by Goliath, but that came after travelling back from winning in Group One company at Sha Tin so he may have been feeling the effects.
He’s posted two career best efforts in Britain the last twice, formerly over a trip too far, and his Hardwicke success was impressive enough to think he can be competitive here. That said, the overarching suspicion is he’ll always be vulnerable to something a touch classier than him on these shores, and CALANDAGAN gets the slight nod given Jan Brueghel may also need a bit of ease in the going to be sent to best effect.
The selection is 1-1 over C&D which came in the King Edward VIII Stakes last season, and his subsequent form behind the likes of City Of Troy in that devastating International is the best that any of these have put up on a firmer surface.
- Calandagan
- Rebel’s Romance
- Jan Breughel
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