Kalpana’s King George Triumph
Kalpana, a five-year-old mare, delivered a commanding performance to win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, reversing last year’s form against Calandagan. The victory marked a significant achievement for trainer Andrew Balding and jockey Colin Keane, capping a successful day for Balding’s Kingsclere stable.
The mare, trained by Andrew Balding, is a dual Group 1 winner over the King George course and distance, having secured victories in the last two runnings of the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes. This time, she convincingly defeated her male rivals under the guidance of Colin Keane.
Starting as a well-backed 13-2 shot, Kalpana travelled effectively behind the pace set by Action and Lambourn. She took the lead once clear, maintaining her advantage despite Calandagan closing from a hold-up position. Kalpana ultimately won by a length and a half, with Benvenuto Cellini finishing third, a further half-length back. Lambourn, last year’s dual Derby winner, secured fourth place.
Jockey Colin Keane described Kalpana as a “special mare,” noting her consistent improvement throughout the year. He expressed his surprise at her performance, stating that he believed she would need a personal best just to be placed. Keane highlighted her straightforward nature, praising her ability to start well and relax during the race, which he said made his job easy. He also acknowledged the challenge posed by Calandagan, who is known for his fast and late closing speed.
The win secured connections £1.13 million. This victory was Kalpana’s second from three starts this season. She had previously won the Group 3 Aston Park Stakes in May before narrowly losing to Giavellotto by a short head in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last month. Despite finishing seventh to Daryz in last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, bookmakers have now shortened her odds to 8-1 (from 20) for the Paris event scheduled for October 4.
International Competition and Balding’s Successful Day
The King George race featured an international field, with Calandagan representing France. Japan also had strong contenders in the form of Masquerade Ball, the Japan Cup runner-up, and Wurttemberg, who placed second in the Tenno Sho (Spring). Masquerade Ball, ridden by Christophe Lemaire, raced too enthusiastically early on and finished seventh. Wurttemberg, under Oisin Murphy, was positioned closer but was effectively pulled up in the home straight.
The day was particularly memorable for trainer Andrew Balding, whose Kingsclere stable celebrated three Group winners within two hours, with Kalpana’s triumph being the highlight. This success echoed a significant moment in his family’s history, as his late father, Ian Balding, won the mid-summer showpiece with Mill Reef 55 years ago. The elder Balding’s victory with Mill Reef is a career-defining moment, from a time when the King George was considered a premier event.
Earlier in the day, Moonrise secured a victory in the Princess Margaret Stakes, a Group 3 race, under jockey Oisin Murphy. She held off a late challenge from Dee’s Funny Girl. This win followed her second-place finish in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot last month. Moonrise is now priced at 6-1 for the Lowther Stakes at York next month.
Further north, at York, Item made a successful return to the Knavesmire, winning the Group 2 York Stakes under jockey Rob Hornby. Item had previously shown promise by winning the Dante at the same track in May but had a disappointing performance in the Derby. His recent victory, where he defeated several talented older horses, suggests his Epsom effort was an anomaly.
The day’s events underscore a period of strong performance for Andrew Balding’s stable, with multiple horses achieving significant wins across different venues. The success of Kalpana in particular highlights her continued development and ability to compete at the highest level, setting the stage for her potential participation in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on October 4.
Source: racingpost.com
As News-GB.org's Sports Reporter, Eleanor Vance reports on tennis, cricket and athletics for readers across the country. She built her name on long-form athlete profiles. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of Bath and completed an NCTJ diploma. Eleanor lives in Bath, where she swims competitively and follows British athletics. “A profile is only as good as the questions behind it.”