Every summer, the King George at Ascot gives us a glimpse into greatness—or at least, that’s the idea. And in 2025, it delivered again. But maybe not quite in the way most expected.
The favourite, Calandagan, came with a bit of baggage. Last month at Epsom, he got outbattled by Jan Brueghel in the Coronation Cup, leaving punters (and pundits) wondering if he had the fight to win a proper dogfight. This time? He answered with a resounding yes—and then some.
Calandagan: from last to first with style
The Aga Khan’s colt didn’t just win. He arrived. Held up at the back, Barzalona never panicked. He just waited, cruised, waited some more, and then—boom—unleashed that trademark turn of foot down the outside. You could almost hear the gears shift.
Why did it work so well this time? A few reasons:
- Pace setup: Jan Brueghel set an honest but not blistering pace. That allowed Calandagan to travel sweetly and conserve energy.
- Ground & trip: “Good” ground at 1m4f is right in his sweet spot. Throw in a clean run down the outside and voilà.
- Mentality: People doubted his grit after Epsom, but maybe that was harsh. Sometimes you get out-nosed; doesn’t mean you lack heart. This time he had clear ground and no excuses—and he wanted it.
Kalpana: almost the giant-killer
Let’s not forget Kalpana. She kicked clear at the 2f pole and looked, for a brief moment, like she might pull off the upset. But as good as she is (and she is good), she just didn’t quite have enough in reserve to hold off a charging Calandagan.
Still, second in the King George is a serious result. She travelled well, moved smoothly into the lead, and gave everything. She’s one to keep an eye on—especially when she gets a more tactical race with less deep closers breathing down her neck.
Jan Brueghel: what happened?
Let’s talk about the elephant in the paddock. Jan Brueghel came into this race looking like a legit Group 1 force. But from the halfway point, the writing was on the wall. He was ridden along early, didn’t quicken, and was basically a sitting duck by the 2f pole.
So… what went wrong?
- Tactics: Maybe leading just doesn’t suit him at this level. He looked one-paced and uncomfortable.
- Bounce factor? After peaking at Epsom, this might’ve come a touch too soon.
- Just not good enough? Harsh, but possible. Calandagan and Kalpana were pulling away while he was going the wrong direction.
It wasn’t a total collapse—he still beat Continuous—but it definitely raises some questions for next time.
Rebel’s Romance: trapped in the traffic
Charlie Appleby’s 7-year-old got stuck in the rail sandwich. Buick had horse but no daylight, and by the time he saw room, the race was gone. Still, he finished with purpose and might’ve got closer with a clear run. He’s not done yet.
Final thoughts
In the end, this race came down to class, rhythm and execution. Calandagan had all three. Kalpana lost nothing in defeat. And Jan Brueghel? Well, back to the drawing board.
If these horses meet again—say in the Irish Champion Stakes or the Arc—you can bet Calandagan will be shorter in the market. And deservedly so. He’s now a dual Group 1 winner and finally silenced the doubters.
And next time you see Kalpana in a race without a flying finisher breathing down her neck? She might just finish the job.
If you enjoyed this race breakdown and you’re already looking ahead to the next big betting opportunities, don’t miss my Galway Racecourse Betting Guide —perfect timing with the Galway Summer Festival just around the corner. And if staying closer to home is more your thing, check out my full Goodwood Cup 2025 betting tips, where I’ve broken down the field ahead of one of the week’s most tactical races. Plenty more winners to find 👀🐎
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[…] Similar betting angles appear in other midsummer highlights like the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes guide. […]