Heavyweights clash in King George VI and Queen Elizabeth for Breeders' Cup Turf berth

Key Event at Ascot Racecourse

This Saturday, Ascot Racecourse, located just outside of London, will host one of the most prestigious events in the European racing calendar: the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. This race is run over a distance of 1 1/2 miles and serves as a crucial qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Turf. The winner of this event earns a fees-paid berth into the championship race at Del Mar on November 1, as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In.

Overview of the Challenge Series

The Challenge Series was introduced in 2007 and now includes 93 races across 15 countries. This year, there are 14 qualifiers held in England, with an additional five in Ireland and six in France. These races provide a pathway for top horses to earn automatic entry into the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which will be held at Del Mar on October 31 and November 1 this year.

Leading Contenders for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Among the top contenders for the race is Rebel’s Romance, who won last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf and the 2022 edition at Keeneland. Trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, Rebel’s Romance is aiming for his first Group 1 victory on British soil. He recently won the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at this course and distance during the Royal Ascot meeting and finished third in this race last year. He is expected to be one of the leading choices in the betting.

Another strong contender is Calandagan, who may take the favorite role after a strong performance in a French Group 1 race. A proven performer at Ascot, Calandagan won the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes here last year. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, with Mickaël Barzalona as jockey, Calandagan has solid credentials, including a second-place finish to City of Troy in the Juddmonte International.

Jan Brueghel, who won the Group 1 St. Leger at Doncaster as a 3-year-old, is also a major player. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, he returned to action in April with a rare defeat but rebounded strongly with a commanding victory in the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom. His stablemates Lambourn, Whirl, and Continuous are also entered, though Lambourn and Whirl are expected to be withdrawn. Continuous, who may act as a pacemaker, was entered in the Prince of Wales’s as a pacemaker for Los Angeles but finished last.

Another entrant is Green Impact, who finished sixth in both the Irish Derby and the 2000 Guineas. Ruling Court won the 2000 Guineas, while Field of Gold, considered Europe’s leading miler, finished second.

Upcoming Qualifiers for the Breeders’ Cup Turf

Five horses have already secured their spots in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, but their participation is not guaranteed. Some key upcoming qualifiers include:

• Grade 1 Sword Dancer (Saratoga – August 9)
• Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap (Del Mar – August 30)
• Grade 2 Kentucky Turf Cup (Kentucky Downs – September 6)
• Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes (Leopardstown – September 13)
• Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Longchamp – October 5)
• Group 1 Champion Stakes (Ascot – October 18)

These races offer further opportunities for horses to secure their places in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Additional News from the Horse Racing World

In addition to the main event, there are several other developments in the horse racing world. The Breeders' Cup Charities hosted its Annual Day of Giving, highlighting the charitable efforts of the organization. There is also interest in which Royal Ascot runners might show up at the Breeders’ Cup. Meanwhile, journalist Haskell made a furious late run in a recent race, capturing attention in the racing community.