Ascot: Kalpana secures King George victory over Calandagan
Kalpana’s commanding performance at Ascot
Kalpana delivered a dominant performance to win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, reversing last year’s form against Calandagan. The five-year-old, trained by Andrew Balding, secured a victory by a length and a half under jockey Colin Keane. This win marks her second from three starts this season.
The mare, a dual Group 1 winner over the King George course and distance from her victories in the last two runnings of the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, demonstrated her class by convincingly beating her male rivals. Keane noted her straightforward nature, stating she was brilliant out of the gates and relaxes well, making his job easy.
Keane expressed his admiration for Kalpana, highlighting her consistent improvement throughout the year. He mentioned that he believed she would need a personal best just to place, making her victory particularly impressive. He also acknowledged the strong international field, with horses from France and Japan competing.
Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte, placed Kalpana’s win among other memorable moments for the stable, including Bluestocking winning the Arc and Field Of Gold winning the St James’s Palace Stakes. This victory adds another significant achievement to Juddmonte’s racing history.
Race dynamics and key contenders
The race featured a strong field, with Action, one of four runners for Aidan O’Brien, setting an early pace. Action maintained a lead of three or four lengths, with stablemate Minnie Hauk and dual Derby winner Lambourn close behind. The main contenders, including Kalpana, Benvenuto Cellini, and Calandagan, began to close in as they approached the turn for home.
Kalpana, positioned well, made her challenge by switching around Lambourn. Despite Calandagan and Benvenuto Cellini pursuing, Kalpana maintained her lead. Calandagan’s reserves were depleted in the final stages, allowing Kalpana to extend her advantage. Benvenuto Cellini managed to close his deficit to finish third, half a length behind Calandagan.
The Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini closed from a more conservative position to secure third place, a further half-length behind Calandagan. Lambourn, last year’s dual Derby winner, stayed on under pressure to claim fourth position. The race also saw international representation from Japan with Masquerade Ball and Wurttemberg.
Masquerade Ball, the Japan Cup runner-up, raced too enthusiastically early on and finished seventh. Wurttemberg, who was second in the Tenno Sho (Spring), was ridden closer but was effectively pulled up in the home straight. The distances at the finish were a length and a half between Kalpana and Calandagan, and half a length between Calandagan and Benvenuto Cellini.
A memorable day for Andrew Balding’s stable
Kalpana’s triumph capped a remarkable afternoon for trainer Andrew Balding and his Kingsclere stable. Balding celebrated three Group winners within two hours, with Kalpana’s performance being the highlight. He expressed his delight, stating that winning the King George is a significant achievement that defines a season and a career.
Balding noted that Kalpana appeared leaner and fitter this year, which he believes was a crucial factor in her improved performance. He also mentioned that his late father, Ian Balding, won the race in 1971 with Mill Reef, making this victory particularly special for him and his family. The trainer had considered Kalpana a lively outsider and would have been content with a third-place finish.
Earlier in the day, Moonrise secured a victory in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes under Oisin Murphy, holding off Dee’s Funny Girl. This win followed her second-place finish in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. Additionally, Item, who had previously won the Dante in May, bounced back from a disappointing Derby performance to win the Group 2 York Stakes under Rob Hornby at York, beating older horses.
Kalpana’s connections earned £1.13 million from her King George victory. Following her win, bookmakers shortened her odds for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris on October 4.
Source: racingpost.com