Kalpana turns the tables on Calandagan in thrilling King George Victory
Jockey Colin Keane on Kalpana on their way to winning the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Photograph: Adam Davy/PA
A year after finishing runner-up in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the Andrew Balding-trained mare Kalpana has turned the tables on world champion Calandagan in a sensational contest at Ascot.
Britain’s most prestigious open-aged middle-distance race featured a world-class lineup, boasting 2025’s top-rated horse in the world Calandagan, Japanese star Masquerade Ball, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runner-up Minnie Hauk, Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini, and two-time Group 1 winner Kalpana.
In running, race favourite Calandagan settled in his customary position towards the rear of the nine-horse field alongside Japanese raider Masquerade Ball. The Aidan O’Brien-trained trio of Action, Minnie Hauk, and Lambourn took up the running early, while Kalpana and Benvenuto Cellini comfortably tracked the pace.
Approaching the home straight, Calandagan made his move, sweeping around the outside as the field began to cluster. Meanwhile, the well-fancied Masquerade Ball was unable to match the tempo and became detached from the pack alongside fellow Japanese contender Wurttemberg.
Amidst the unfolding drama, jockey Colin Keane angled Kalpana off the rail, holding the mare under a tight grip as she effortlessly glided into contention. On her outside, the three-year-old colt Benvenuto Cellini and Calandagan launched their respective challenges.
With a furlong left to run, Kalpana seized the lead. With Calandagan in hot pursuit, many anticipated the champion horse to sweep past as he has done so often in the past. However, Kalpana showed remarkable grit, battling valiantly to maintain her advantage all the way to the line.
Calandagan held on for second, half a length clear of Aidan O’Brien’s Benvenuto Cellini, while last year’s dual Derby winner (Epsom and Irish Derby), Lambourn, finished fourth. Other key runners Masquerade Ball and Minnie Hauk finished a distant 7th and 8th.
“I’ve just felt she has been better this year,” Balding said after Kalpana’s victory.
“It was a struggle to get weight off her last year, but this year I felt she has trained leaner and lighter and I’ve been happier with her all along.
“I don’t know what the difference is, but she is so much fitter this year and it told at the finish.”
For winning trainer Andrew Balding it was an emotional first success in the prestigious race that his late father, Ian, also won with Mill Reef back in 1971.
With this memorable victory, Kalpana has earned herself an automatic entry into the Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar in November.
