A Day to Savour at the Home of British Racing

My dad used to say that if you only went racing once a year, it should be King George day at Ascot. He'd pack the flask, iron his best flat cap, and treat the whole occasion with the kind of reverence most people reserve for weddings. I've been going since I was about twelve, and I can honestly say the magic hasn't dimmed one bit. There's something about Ascot in high summer — the heat shimmering off the track, the buzz of a big crowd, the sense that history might just be made — that gets under your skin and stays there.

This Saturday, 25 July 2026, we've got eight races across the afternoon on ground described as Good to Firm (goingstick reading of 8 on the stands side). That's fast ground, folks. The ball is going to bounce, the times will be quick, and horses who handle a quick surface are going to be at a real premium today. Horses who want it soft? Best leave them at home. Make sure you've had a good look at the full Ascot racecard before you have a penny on anything.

The Feature Race: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (15:35)

Right, let's get to the big one. The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is one of those races that makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. Two million pounds in prize money, the best middle-distance horses in Europe — and this year, we've got a field that genuinely warrants all the fanfare.

Calandagan heads the market and heads the ratings at a lofty 130, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard and ridden by Mickael Barzalona. He's a course and distance winner, which on a track as unique as Ascot is no small thing. The long, sweeping home straight rewards horses who travel well and quicken late — Calandagan does both. On Good to Firm ground, he's electric. This is his race to lose.

The danger I keep coming back to is Masquerade Ball (rated 128), trained in Japan by Takahisa Tezuka and ridden by the brilliant Christophe Lemaire. Japanese horses have been making serious inroads in European Group Ones in recent seasons, and Masquerade Ball arrives here with an imposing profile. The one question mark is the ground — Japanese tracks tend to be on the softer side, and we don't know for certain how he'll handle a quick Ascot surface. If he takes to it, he's a serious threat. If he doesn't, Calandagan will be gone before Lemaire can press the button.

Aidan O'Brien saddles four, as only he can. Minnie Hauk (rated 123, William Buick) is a course and distance winner and has to be respected — Buick doesn't get on these big-race rides without good reason. Benvenuto Cellini (rated 119, Ryan Moore) is another live contender with course and distance form. Kalpana (rated 120, Colin Keane) for Andrew Balding also catches the eye — she's a C&D winner and Balding's horses have been in fine form all summer.

My verdict: Calandagan is the one. On this ground, over this course, he's as close to a banker as this sport allows. Masquerade Ball for the each-way slip if you're feeling adventurous.

Earlier in the Day: Ones to Watch

Princess Margaret Japan Cup Stakes (13:45)

A cracking juvenile fillies' Group Three to warm us up. Dark Issue (rated 98) tops the ratings and has course and distance form — Richard Hannon's yard knows how to produce a two-year-old, and Pat Dobbs is a quietly excellent jockey who doesn't get the credit he deserves. Moonrise (rated 93) for Oisin Murphy and Andrew Balding also has course and distance form and is the type of filly who could improve again on this fast ground. Keep an eye on Dee's Funny Girl for Ryan Moore and the Donnacha O'Brien yard — unrated but with the pedigree to go well on a quick surface.

Longines Valiant Stakes (14:20)

This Group Three over just shy of a mile has Touleen (rated 112, William Buick) as the standout on ratings for Owen Burrows. She's top-rated and Buick's booking says everything. The three-year-olds dominate the top of the weights here, and on Good to Firm ground, their natural freshness and pace could be a real asset. Kon Tiki (rated 105, Ryan Moore) for Jane Chapple-Hyam has course and distance form and shouldn't be dismissed — Moore rarely turns up at Ascot without a live chance.

Moët & Chandon International Handicap (14:55)

A Heritage Handicap worth £150,000 and as competitive as they come — seventeen runners going seven furlongs on fast ground. These big-field handicaps can be a lottery, but there are some interesting angles. Stellar Sunrise (rated 102, Oisin Murphy) for Andrew Balding is a three-year-old with a course and distance win on her CV — the age allowance is a genuine asset in a race like this, and Murphy's record at Ascot speaks for itself. Completely Random (rated 102, Ryan Moore) for Harry Charlton is another to consider, though without a C&D tick on the card. In a wide-open race like this, each-way punters should be looking at Two Tribes (rated 102, David Egan) — course and distance form, a tidy rating, and Egan has been in excellent nick all season.

How the Going Affects Today's Racing

Good to Firm at Ascot — a goingstick reading of 8, remember — means we're on the quick side of ideal for many horses. A few things to bear in mind:

  • Course and distance form becomes even more valuable. Ascot's unique camber and long straight suit a particular type of horse, and on fast ground that specificity increases. Horses who've won here before know what they're doing.
  • Front-runners may be flattered. On quick ground, pace can be punishing and horses who lead are sometimes caught late. Horses with a big, powerful stride who can come from off the pace tend to thrive.
  • Three-year-olds in handicaps. The weight-for-age allowance is significant on fast summer ground when the older horses can find it a touch sharp.
  • Watch the draw in the sprint. In the Whispering Angel Handicap (17:20) over five furlongs, the draw can be crucial on fast ground. Those drawn low on the stands side often have an advantage — worth checking the market moves before you commit.

Best Bets and Ones to Watch

Here's a quick summary to take to the track or the sofa — wherever you're enjoying today's racing from:

  • Best Bet: Calandagan (15:35) — Top-rated, course and distance winner, Barzalona up. On this ground, he's the one.
  • Each-Way Pick: Masquerade Ball (15:35) — The Japanese raider could be anything. Huge potential each-way value if the ground suits.
  • Filly to Follow: Dark Issue (13:45) — Top-rated in the Princess Margaret, course and distance form, Hannon knows what he's doing.
  • Handicap Interest: Stellar Sunrise (14:55) — Three-year-old with C&D form and Oisin Murphy in the saddle. Each-way at a price.
  • One for the Fun: Cieren Fallon on Astralite (13:10) — Maiden opener, nothing to go on form-wise, but Fallon's been in fine fettle and Harry Charlton's yard is flying. Worth a small interest.

Whatever you're backing today, I hope the sun shines on you and the photo goes your way. It's King George day at Ascot — there really is nowhere better to be. Enjoy every minute of it.