The 2026 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes is as high class and international renewal as the race has seen. With challengers from France, Ireland and Japan joining a single hope for the hosts, racing fans are in for a treat on Saturday.
GG tipster Joe Napier has the privilege of previewing the big race. He has the latest odds, racecard and trends to inform your bets, and gives his verdict.
2026 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Runners
Nine runners go in an elite edition of the King George at Ascot. Calandagan remains one of the best in the world on his day, with connections confident this will be his best run yet in 2026. It will have to be though, as even in getting back to winning ways at the highest level last time out, he had to work hard to do so against markedly inferior rivals.
Masquerade Ball is not that, as shown in last year’s Japan Cup. Calandagan got the better of the home hope that day, but Takehisa Tezuka’s charge is a year older now and ran well in the QEII Cup on his only race so far this year. 1m4f is his best trip on most recent evidence and this appears his primary target for the year.
Their compatriots Goliath and Wurttemberg are somewhat unknown quantities. The former last raced in the Hardwicke Stakes at the royal meeting and may well have won but for Christophe Soumillon’s saddle slipping. He has a chance at redemption aboard the six-year-old, who improved substantially to win this two years ago. Wurttemberg, meanwhile, has excelled over 2m and further. His stamina is therefore assured, if not his class, but he pushed the very talented Croix Du Nord all the way last time. Oisin Murphy being aboard would suggest he is not here to make up the numbers either.
Closer to home, Aidan O’Brien runs four. Action is surely there to set the pace, which is unfortunately likely true of last year’s Derby winner Lambourn. Benvenuto Cellini and Minnie Hauk are the chances. Ryan Moore has opted for the Irish Derby hero, though three-year-olds have had to be highly talented to win this in the past decade (only Enable and Adayar have managed it). He is probably short of that level, but multiple Oaks winner Minnie Hauk returns to her optimum conditions for the first time this year. Wayne Lordan can be as confident as ever of being on the right Ballydoyle horse.
Only Kalpana remains of the hosts’ challenge. The Juddmonte mare is highly consistent, finishing second in this in 2025. She was also a close second over course and distance in the Hardwicke Stakes and will give her running. She should contend each-way, but would be a surprise winner.
2026 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Racecard
Awaiting racecard…
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Trends 2026
Our trends man Dave Young has already analysed the King George trends here. A key selection of these are below.
2026 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Tips
Any one of seven have chances here, with Calandagan the target for all of his rivals. The defending champion could spring right back to life here, but the signs so far in 2026 are that he is operating slightly below his best. Stablemate Goliath is a tempting alternative at a price given he was unlucky in the Hardwicke Stakes behind 2025 King George runner-up Kalpana. However, the international challenge may bear fruit from further afield, with Masquerade Ball the choice. He was beaten so narrowly by Calandagan in the Japan Cup last year and may still be improving as a four-year-old, with this 1m4f trip his optimum. If he has travelled over well, as reported by connections, this can be a marquee day for Japanese racing. Minnie Hauk is more of a danger than Benvenuto Cellini for Aidan O’Brien despite Ryan Moore’s preference.
- Masquerade Ball
- Goliath
- Calandagan
FAQ
When and where is the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes?
The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes will take place at Ascot racecourse on Saturday 25 July 2026 at 3.35pm.
How can I watch the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday?
The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes is live on ITV Racing at 3.35pm on Saturday.
When were the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes tips published?
The tips for the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes were published at 2.12pm on Thursday 23 July.
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