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SARGA.CO - The 2026 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) is shaping up to be one of the strongest flat races of the season, with a star-studded field spanning Europe and Japan set to clash over 2,400 metres at Ascot this Saturday, 25 July.

This year’s race has attracted a stacked lineup comparable to a mini Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Eight of the ten confirmed runners are G1 winners, and the remaining two - Japan's Wurttemberg and Ireland's Action - have both already placed at the highest level, demonstrating the overall quality of the field.

French Horse of the Year Calandagan, last year's King George winner, heads the betting after bouncing back from defeat in the Coronation Cup to retain his Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1) crown earlier this month. Local bookmakers have put the Francis Graffard-trained star as the 2.75-1 favourite, ahead of Japan's Masquerade Ball (5.0-1), while Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini has drifted slightly in the market despite being partnered by Ryan Moore.

Reflecting the competitive nature of this year's race, Coral's David Stevens said there will be challenge for his horse facing the field. “Calandagan was sent off at 11-10 last year, but he will be facing a deeper field this time so I don't expect him to start that short again. It's all change for the second favourite, as support has seemingly dried up for Benvenuto Cellini, despite the Irish Derby winner having Ryan Moore in the saddle. Instead, Masquerade Ball is now the closest market rival to last year's winner for what is a King George with true international flavour,” Stevens mentioned for Racing Post

Francis Graffard will saddle two runners as he bids to become the first trainer this century to win three straight editions of the King George. Alongside Calandagan is Goliath, the 2024 winner, giving the French trainer a strong hand.

Ireland's challenge is once again spearheaded by Aidan O'Brien, a four-time King George-winning trainer seeking his first success in the race since Highland Reel in 2016. His leading hope is Benvenuto Cellini, whose roller-coaster campaign saw him controversially declared a non-runner despite completing the Derby before rebounding impressively to win the Irish Derby.

O'Brien has also declared Minnie Hauk, runner-up to Ombudsman in the Prince of Wales's Stakes, Lambourn, the dual Derby hero looking to return to winning form, and Action, who has consistently competed at the highest level despite still searching for another victory.

Britain's hopes rest largely with Kalpana, who finished a close second in last year's King George and again in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. Bay City Roller, winner of the Coronation Cup, also adds further depth to the home challenge.

Joining him is Wurttemberg, trained by Hiroshi Miyamoto, who will make both his British and Ascot debut under leading jockey Oisin Murphy. Although considered an outsider, Wurttemberg has already demonstrated his ability by finishing second in the Tenno Sho (Spring) earlier this season.