Ascot’s Strategic Focus on the King George
Ascot Racecourse is preparing for an important renewal of the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The event is described as a significant fixture in the racing calendar. This comes as the racecourse announced annual pre-tax profits of £10.5m in 2025 and revealed that next year’s King George will offer a British-record prize of £2.5m.
Amid broader concerns within the racing industry regarding affordability checks, tax measures, and declining attendance, Ascot has seen increased crowds. The Royal meeting last month recorded higher attendance figures across all five days, setting a post-Covid record. The racecourse has also cleared its debt, having repaid the final £3m of a loan taken in 2006 for its grandstand.
Nick Smith, Ascot’s director of racing and public affairs, stated that a strategic decision was made two years ago to focus on the King George as their primary race asset, distinct from the Royal meeting. He noted that while the Royal meeting is unique, the King George is considered the main race asset, surpassing the Gold Cup or the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
A Competitive Field and International Interest
The upcoming King George is anticipated to be one of the strongest renewals in terms of quality and depth in at least two decades. Smith described it as the best King George this century, highlighting the presence of top contenders. The field includes last year’s best and second-best racehorses in the world, Calandagan and Masquerade Ball, along with the leading one-and-a-half mile three-year-old, Benvenuto Cellini. Other notable entries are Kalpana, Minnie Hauk, and Goliath, who won the race two years prior.
The presence of Masquerade Ball, one of two Japanese-trained runners, is particularly significant. Japan’s racing industry values stamina in its champions, and millions of Japanese fans are expected to watch the race. A victory for Masquerade Ball would establish him as a prominent stallion prospect in Japan. Ascot’s aim is to promote the King George as a premier race in its own right.
Calandagan, last year’s winner, is a favourite. Masquerade Ball was rated behind him. Takahisa Tezuka, Masquerade Ball’s trainer, expressed satisfaction with the horse’s condition since arriving in the UK on 12 July, noting his physical and mental development from three to four years old. Benvenuto Cellini, the Irish Derby winner, and Minnie Hauk, who placed second in last season’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, are also considered strong rivals.
Future Ambitions and Supporting Races
The prize money for the King George, currently £2m and set to increase to £2.5m next year, positions it as one of Europe’s most valuable races, second only to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which offers a purse of €5m (approximately £4.24m). Ascot’s long-term ambition is to match the prize money of the Longchamp showpiece. This is considered a bold goal, partly due to the different funding systems in French racing, which benefits from a pari-mutuel monopoly.
Smith acknowledged that while the upcoming race might be exceptionally strong, the goal is for the King George to remain among the top four races globally in the coming years. He emphasized that the prize money increase is a clear statement of intent for the race’s future. The racecourse is actively promoting the event, displaying flags with the colours of past King George winners and banners of previous champions around the parade ring.
Beyond the main event, the race weekend features several other races. The Longines Valiant Stakes at 2:20 includes SKYDANCE, trained by Willie McCreery, who showed strong form last season and won a maiden at Leopardstown. The Moet & Chandon International Handicap at 2:55 features 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 noted for his potential return to form.
Other races include the York 1.30, featuring Mon Na Slieve, and the Ascot 1.45 with Dark Issue. The York 2.00 will see Evening Blues, while Touleen is set to run in the Ascot 2.20. The Punt nap for the 5:20 Ascot race is Getreadytorumble, while the Handicappers’ nap for the 4:00 Newcastle race is Fantastic Fox. The Eyecatcher for the 4:45 Ascot race is Blue Rc, and the Speed figures selection for the 2:55 Ascot race is Amazing Journey. The Dark horse for the 3:05 York race is Son, and the Newmarket nap for the 2:35 York race is Damysus.
Source: theguardian.com
Harry Loxley is a Senior Football Correspondent at NewsGB.org. He spent his early career reporting East Midlands football. He focuses on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Derby and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Derby, he watches non-league and runs a fan podcast. “Good football writing follows the people, not just the points.”