Defending champion Calandagan (Gleneagles) and Japanese star Masquerade Ball (Duramente) are in line for a rematch in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, which will be run for a record £2 million this year.
The pair met in the G1 Japan Cup last November, with Calandagan prevailing by a head at Tokyo on his way to being crowned Longines World's Best Racehorse for 2025. The Francis Graffard-trained five-year-old has already raced twice in 2026, first winning the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan, before floundering on the soft ground when well beaten in Saturday's G1 Coronation Cup at Epsom.
Meanwhile, this race has been a long-term target for Masquerade Ball, who returned to action with an honourable second behind the redoubtable Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) in April's G1 QEII Cup at Sha Tin.
Masquerade Ball's trainer Takahisa Tezuka said, “We started discussing about an international campaign for Masquerade Ball after he won the Tenno Sho (Autumn), when I got the impression that this horse could be competitive on the world stage.
“His owners, Shadai Race Horse, have been very keen to send him to the King George, and we agreed it should be the target. This race holds great significance for the owner, and we made our decision with that in mind. As a prestigious race for older horses in the UK, it provides an excellent opportunity and serves as a favourable alternative to competing in Japan during the hot season.”
He added, “This is the first time I will have a runner at Ascot, which is the royal track, and I am very excited and honoured. The shipping, which takes 48 hours from door to door, will be a big challenge, but I believe Masquerade Ball is a horse worthy of representing Japan.”
A total of 37 horses have been entered in the midsummer highlight, which will take place at Ascot on Saturday, July 25.
Masquerade Ball is set to be joined by fellow Japanese raider Wurrtemberg (Kitasan Black) – for whom Oisin Murphy has been booked – while Graffard has also entered his 2024 winner Goliath (Adlerflug) and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Daryz (Sea The Stars). Best Secret (Persian King) for Stephane Wattel and Cualificar (Lope De Vega) for Andre Fabre complete the potential French challenge.
The first three home in the Derby – Christmas Day (Camelot), Maltese Cross (Sea The Stars) and James J Braddock (Zarak) – feature among the standout contenders from Britain and Ireland, with Joseph O'Brien also entering his Oaks scorer Thundering On (Frankel) and runaway G1 Coronation Cup winner Bay City Roller (New Bay) in contention for George Scott.
As well as Christmas Day, Aidan O'Brien has Benvenuto Cellini (Frankel), Constitution River (Wootton Bassett) and Minnie Hauk (Frankel) among his 11 contenders.
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