Aidan O’Brien aiming to bridge 10-year gap in Ascot’s King George

Aidan O’Brien is preparing to attempt to close a 10-year gap in the history of the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, one of Britain’s most prestigious races. The event takes place on Saturday, with the field featuring a mix of seasoned stars and emerging talents. O’Brien, widely regarded as the leading force in European horse racing, has previously triumphed in the race four times, starting with his iconic stallion Galileo over two decades ago. This year's edition promises to be a high-stakes showdown, with the prize money increased to £2 million, reflecting its growing significance in the sport. The race has traditionally served as a battleground between younger and older horses, but in recent years, it has increasingly favored older contenders. The last two victories have gone to Francis Graffard’s pair of top-tier older geldings, Calandagan and Goliath, both of whom will return to challenge once more. Calandagan, in particular, has emerged as a formidable presence, having finished second to Masquerade Ball in last November’s Japan Cup. However, the spotlight is shifting toward Benvenuto Cellini, the Irish Derby winner who has been named the second favorite by bookmakers. The colt, a descendant of Galileo, faces a significant weight disadvantage of 11 pounds against Calandagan due to the weight-for-age rules. O’Brien’s filly Minnie Hauk, a standout performer in her own right, is also among the contenders. Having claimed victory in the Triple-Oaks last year, she showed promising form at Royal Ascot, finishing second to Ombudsman in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes. Her inclusion adds another layer of intrigue to the race, particularly given her pedigree and track record. Two Japanese entries, Masquerade Ball and Wurttemberg, are expected to bring additional competition. Masquerade Ball, who narrowly missed out on victory in the Japan Cup, has already demonstrated his ability to contend at the highest level, finishing second to Croix Du Nord in the Japanese Derby. His performance in the Tenno Sho further cements his status as a top contender. While Japanese horses have made a notable impact on the international stage, their success at Ascot has been limited. Agnes World won the July Cup in 2000, but since then, only Deirdre has secured a win in the Nassau Stakes. Hearts Cry came close to victory in the 2006 King George, finishing third to Hurricane Run. Historically, the King George has had a rich lineage of winners, with a dozen Irish-trained horses claiming victory. The first of these was Vincent O’Brien’s Ballymoss in 1958, followed by other legends such as Nijinsky and The Minstrel. France has also contributed significantly, with ten winners coming from the country. Graffard aims to continue this legacy, following in the footsteps of Saeed Bin Suroor, who achieved a remarkable hat-trick for Godolphin between 1997 and 1999 with Daylami and Swain. As the day unfolds, attention will also turn to the supporting races, including the Group 1 hurdle at Ballinrobe. Colin Keane will ride Kalpana in the King George, though he will be traveling to Mayo for the action in Ballinrobe. A 96 rating gives Heney de Bromhead’s Nuit a strong chance in the final stages, while Elusive Duke could also play a role in the outcome. Daboya, meanwhile, continues his impressive run in a mile-and-a-half handicap, with proven course form adding to his credentials.