The road to Ascot Racecourse has begun to take shape, and the early entries for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes suggest racing fans could be treated to a world-class spectacle featuring Classic winners, international stars and some of the sport’s most accomplished middle-distance performers.
A total of 37 horses have been entered for the 76th running of the historic contest, which will be run for a record ÂŁ2 million on Saturday, July 25. Among them are some of the world’s highest-rated middle-distance runners, headed by reigning champion Calandagan and Japanese star Masquerade Ball, whose anticipated rematch promises to add an international dimension to one of Europe’s most celebrated races.
King George 2026 Entries
Their rivalry already carries significant weight. Masquerade Ball captured the Group 1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) last season before finishing a narrow second to Calandagan in the Japan Cup, a race widely regarded as one of the finest contests staged anywhere in the world during 2025.
Since then, both horses have continued to enhance their reputations on the global stage. Masquerade Ball returned this year with a strong second-place finish behind Romantic Warrior in Hong Kong’s QEII Cup, while Calandagan added another elite success when landing the Dubai Sheema Classic. His subsequent defeat in the Coronation Cup at Epsom was widely attributed to unsuitable ground conditions rather than any decline in ability.
Connections of Masquerade Ball have made no secret of their ambitions to target Ascot, viewing the King George as the ideal opportunity to showcase the horse internationally.
Trainer Takahisa Tezuka explained that plans for a global campaign began after the colt’s Tenno Sho victory, believing he possessed the quality to compete against the best middle-distance horses in the world.
The trainer highlighted the prestige of the race and acknowledged the logistical challenges involved in transporting a horse from Japan to Britain, but expressed confidence that Masquerade Ball is capable of representing his country with distinction on one of racing’s grandest stages.
Japan’s challenge may not end there. Wurrtemberg, another accomplished performer with four victories to his name, is also expected to travel. The six-year-old produced a career-best effort when beaten only a nose by Croix Du Nord in this year’s Tenno Sho (Spring).
Trainer Hiroshi Miyamoto described participation in the race as a long-held ambition, revealing that owner Teruya Yoshida has often referred to the King George as a “dream race”. While alternative options were considered, the team ultimately identified Ascot’s premier middle-distance contest as the ideal target.
French hopes are expected to be led by trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, who is seeking a remarkable third consecutive victory in the race. His entries include defending champion Calandagan, former winner Goliath and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero Daryz. Fellow French trainers Stephane Wattel and Andre Fabre have also entered Best Secret and Caulificar respectively.
Britain and Ireland are represented by a formidable group headed by Derby winner Christmas Day, runner-up Maltese Cross and third-placed James J Braddock.
Aidan O’Brien, a four-time winner of the race, has entered 11 horses, including Benvenuto Cellini, Constitution River, Jan Brueghel, Lambourn and Minnie Hauk, giving the Ballydoyle operation significant strength in depth.
The Classic generation is also represented by Oaks winner Thundering On, while Joseph O’Brien and the Gosden stable have several notable contenders. Legacy Link, runner-up in the Oaks, and the unbeaten Water To Wine remain among the possible runners.
Other leading names entered at this stage include Kalpana, runner-up in last year’s race, Coronation Cup winner Bay City Roller and Tattersalls Gold Cup hero Almaqam.
The quality of the early entries reflects the growing stature of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Last year’s renewal was won by Calandagan, who subsequently earned recognition as the Longines World’s Best Racehorse, while the race itself was officially ranked among the highest-quality contests run anywhere in the world.
With elite performers from Britain, Ireland, France and Japan all targeting Ascot, this year’s edition has the potential to become one of the most significant international clashes of the Flat racing season.
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