Ascot Does It Again — What a Day at the Berkshire Showpiece

There are race days, and then there are race days. Saturday, 25 July 2026 at Ascot fell firmly into the second category. Seven races, good to firm ground baked hard under a July sun, and a card that had something for absolutely everyone — from debutants finding their feet in the opener to the very best middle-distance horses in Europe locking horns in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. If you weren't here, you missed something special. If you were — you already know.

The goingstick read 8 on the stands side, which tells you everything. Fast ground, big fields, and horses running on the ragged edge of their ability. The sort of afternoon where form gets made, reputations get cemented, and the odd shock gets thrown in just to keep the bookmakers honest.

The Big One: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (15:35)

Let's not bury the lede. The King George was always going to be the centrepiece of the Ascot racecard, and with a field of nine heading to post over the mile and three furlongs-plus trip, it did not disappoint in terms of anticipation.

Calandagan (Mickael Barzalona, rated 130) came into this as the undisputed headline act — a horse rated a full two pounds clear of his nearest rival and carrying the weight of expectation that only a genuine superstar can shoulder. Course and distance form ticked, connections brimming with confidence. Barzalona is in the form of his life right now and this was the partnership everyone wanted to see at their best.

But racing doesn't hand out prizes for reputation alone, and Masquerade Ball (Christophe Lemaire, rated 128) was never going to be a pushover. The Japanese raider has been a revelation this season, and Lemaire — ice cool in the big moments — was the ideal pilot for a horse who travels beautifully and hits the line hard. If Calandagan had an afternoon where he wasn't quite at his peak, Masquerade Ball was always going to make him pay.

Minnie Hauk (W.M. Lordan, rated 123) and Kalpana (Colin Keane, rated 120) added further intrigue. Minnie Hauk has been progressive all season and Lordan is a jockey who absolutely thrives when given a horse with a bit of class underneath him. Kalpana, meanwhile, is a mare who has been knocking on the door of the very top level and this looked like her moment to kick it clean off its hinges.

Keep an eye on Wurttemberg (Oisin Murphy, rated 116) too. He's been quietly knocking out solid performances and Murphy doesn't take rides in Group Ones without believing he has a genuine chance. Don't be surprised to see him pop up in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe conversation come autumn.

Valiant Stakes and Moet Handicap — The Supporting Cast Shone Bright

Before the King George stole the show, the Longines Valiant Stakes (14:20) gave us a cracking Group Three over the extended seven furlongs. Touleen (William Buick, rated 112) was the class act on paper — and Buick, as ever, was utterly professional in the saddle. But Skydance (Oisin Murphy, rated 105) and Kon Tiki (Ryan Moore, rated 105) were never going to make it easy, and with Sukanya (Tom Marquand, rated 104) also in the mix, this was a race with depth throughout the field.

Pina Sonata (Daniel Muscutt, rated 103) is one to note going forward. She's been building nicely through the season and a track like Ascot on fast ground looks tailor-made for her. Don't be surprised if she turns up in a Group Two next time out.

The Moet & Chandon International Handicap (14:55) — a £150k Heritage Handicap over seven furlongs — was the race that had the punters buzzing. Seventeen runners, all crammed into a narrow ratings band, and the sort of race where the draw, the pace scenario, and a sprinkle of luck can be just as important as raw ability. Stellar Sunrise (Oisin Murphy, rated 102) and Completely Random (Ryan Moore, rated 102) were the ones attracting the most attention pre-race, but in a field this competitive, form students were also keeping a very close eye on Two Tribes (David Egan, rated 102) — course and distance form ticked, and Egan has been in magnificent nick all summer.

Ones to Follow — Horses That Caught the Eye

Every big race day throws up a handful of names worth scribbling down for future reference. Here are the ones that jumped off the page today at Ascot:

  • Wurttemberg — Murphy's mount in the King George looked to be running his race of the season. Arc entry surely incoming, and at a big price he could be the each-way banker of the autumn.
  • Pina Sonata — Quietly progressive, loves fast ground, and Muscutt clearly has a strong partnership developing. A Group Two target before the season's end looks very achievable.
  • Two Tribes — Course and distance form is a powerful asset at Ascot, and Egan has the confidence to ride him with real aggression. Watch for him in another Heritage Handicap or a conditions race step up.
  • Dark Issue (Pat Dobbs, rated 98) in the Princess Margaret Stakes — Dobbs doesn't get on many Group Three fancies without there being a very good reason. Rated 98 and with course form, this filly could be Group One material before the year is out.
  • Blue RC (Colin Keane, rated 104) in the Betfred Handicap — Top of the weights and Keane in the saddle. The combination of class and confidence is hard to ignore. One for the notebook for the Autumn Mile scene.

Sprint Action and the Closer — Whispering Angel Handicap (17:20)

The card signed off in style with the Whispering Angel Handicap over five furlongs — fourteen sprinters absolutely flying out of the stalls on ground that was made for speed. Getreadytorumble (Tom Marquand, rated 100) was the one everyone wanted to see, and on this surface he was always going to be dangerous. King of Light (Marco Ghiani, rated 99) has been threatening to win a big one for most of the season, and today felt like it could finally be his afternoon.

All Ways Glamorous (Gina Mangan, rated 92) was a fascinating runner — Mangan is one of the most exciting young riders on the circuit right now, and getting a ride in a £60k Class Two at Ascot shows the faith connections have in her. One to watch, both horse and jockey.

The earlier Dentakay EBF Crocker Bulteel Maiden (13:10) was a fascinating curtain-raiser — nine unrated horses heading into the unknown over six furlongs. Izuba (Oisin Murphy) and Never Enough (William Buick) were the two that drew most of the attention, and frankly, when Murphy and Buick are both in the same maiden, you know the quality is there. Keep both names in mind — winners from this race have a habit of going on to better things.

The Verdict — A Day That Delivered

Ascot on King George day is one of the great occasions in the flat racing calendar, and the Ascot racecard for 25 July 2026 lived up to every bit of that billing. Fast ground, competitive fields, and a feature race that had the whole racing world watching — this was the sport at its brilliant, unpredictable best.

The names to carry forward into the second half of the season are clear: Wurttemberg for the Arc, Pina Sonata for a Group Two target, Two Tribes for the Heritage Handicap circuit, and Dark Issue as a potential Group One filly in the making. The autumn is going to be very interesting indeed.

For now though — raise a glass. Days like this are why we love racing. Same again next year? We'll be there with our notebooks ready.