Benvenuto Cellini, the Irish Derby winner, is set to face a formidable field in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes scheduled for today at Ascot Racecourse. This Group 1 event, covering a mile and a half, is a highlight of the British flat racing calendar and features some of the top middle-distance horses from around the world.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Benvenuto Cellini is among the favorites in the race. He boasts an illustrious pedigree, being sired by Frankel, who himself is a son of the legendary Galileo. The colt aims to follow in the footsteps of notable previous winners, including Goliath, the 2024 King George victor, and French superstar Calandagan. Calandagan, the defending champion of this race, notably held the title of the best turf horse globally last year. The French contender poses a significant challenge as he returns to defend his crown.
Also in the mix is Masquerade Ball from Japan, who finished just a head behind Calandagan in the Japan Cup. The presence of top mares such as Kalpana and Minnie Hauk—stablemate to Benvenuto Cellini—adds further depth to the competitive field. Ascot CEO Felicity Barnard has emphasized the course’s commitment to maintaining Britain’s position as a premier racing venue, a goal reflected in the quality of this year’s King George lineup.
In addition to the Group 1 event, the card features other competitive races, including a strongly contested handicap over seven furlongs. Among the promising contenders is Amazing Journey, an improving three-year-old from the Osbornes’ yard, who impressed in his recent Ascot performance. Other noteworthy entries include Great Acclaim, known for a solid track record at Ascot, and Mezcala, who claimed a victory from the back at Royal Ascot.
Handicap experts highlight several horses with winning prospects in the seven-furlong handicap. Golden Mind, having finished fourth in the Victoria Cup at Ascot, has demonstrated capability on quick ground but is yet to fully return to form this season. Completely Random recently secured two wins on synthetic surfaces and placed second in the Wokingham Stakes, showing potential to handle the faster conditions and distance. Great Acclaim, with a history of strong performances at Ascot, also appears well-positioned to contend, while Two Tribes and Arctic Dawn are considered possible dark horses based on recent form and previous course results.
The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is scheduled to run at 3:35 p.m., with live coverage available. Racing enthusiasts anticipate a fiercely competitive event that continues Ascot’s tradition of hosting world-class middle-distance contests during the summer season.