Francis-Henri Graffard’s Calandagan is set to bid for consecutive victories in the £2 million King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, scheduled for this Saturday. Last year, Calandagan secured the title by a length over Kalpana, who returns as a contender in this year’s race. The field also includes Masquerade Ball, narrowly beaten by Calandagan in the Japan Cup last November, and Benvenuto Cellini, the Irish Derby winner and a promising three-year-old with strong market support.

Nemone Routh, Director and French racing manager for the Aga Khan Studs, emphasized the respect the team holds for the competition as Calandagan aims to join the select group of horses to win consecutive King George titles, following Dahlia (1973-74), Swain (1997-98), and Enable (2019-20). She noted that Calandagan worked well in a recent session and is fully prepared for the challenge presented by a notably stronger field this year. According to Routh, the horse’s ability to accelerate powerfully in the final furlongs is a key strength.

In other developments within the British flat racing scene, Jamie Insole has announced plans to establish a new flat racing operation following his split from training partner Dr Richard Newland. Together, Insole and Newland had managed a dual-purpose operation based in Worcestershire, achieving 139 winners since their partnership began in 2023. Insole revealed that he and his partner Jess Stafford are in advanced negotiations to lease a modern training yard in Lambourn, featuring top-tier facilities and access to premier gallops.

Meanwhile, jockey William Buick faces an impending suspension from August 3 to August 10 due to a careless riding incident during a race at Windsor on Monday. The ruling follows a review by race stewards, sidelining Buick for a week during the busy summer racing schedule.