The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile 3 furlongs and 211 yards (2,406 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.It is Britain's most prestigious open-age flat race, and its roll of
honour features some of the most highly acclaimed horses of the sport's
recent history.
The event was formed as the result of an amalgamation of two separate races at Ascot which were established in 1946 and 1948.[2] The first of these, named after King George VI, was a 2-mile contest for three-year-olds held in October. The second, in honour of his wife, Queen Elizabeth,
was a one and a half-mile event staged in July. The idea was conceived
by Major John Crocker Bulteel, the Clerk of the Course at Ascot, who
wanted to create an important international race over one and a half
miles for horses aged three or older. The inaugural running of the
combined race took place on 21 July 1951. In its first year, to
commemorate the Festival of Britain, it was titled the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Festival of Britain Stakes.
During the early part of its history the King George VI and Queen
Elizabeth Stakes was not commercially sponsored. Its first period of
sponsorship started in 1972, when it began a long association with the
diamond company De Beers. The word "Diamond" was added to the race's title when permission for its inclusion was given by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975. It became known as the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth
Diamond Stakes, and De Beers continued to back the event until 2006.
It is now
Britain's second richest horse race, with a purse exceeded only by that
of The Derby.This years race is worth 1.25 million .
The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes became part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series in 2011. The winner now earns an automatic invitation to compete in the same year's Breeders' Cup Turf.[4]
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King George VI And Queen Elizabeth
Qipco Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)
(Class 1)
(3yo+)
Winner £708,875
11 runners
1m3f211y Soft
ITV
race conditions
£1,250,000 guaranteed
For
3yo+ NOTE:
Horses will only be eligible to run in this race provided that they have
a current BHA Handicap Rating of 80 or higher at midday of the
confirmation stage. Horses which do not qualify for a rating may also be
eligible providing the BHA Handicapper is satisfied that the horse's
racecourse performances up to and including the day before confirmation
merit a provisional assessment of 80 or higher. Horses which have not
run will not be eligible. CONFIRM & SUPPLEMENTARIES JULY 24TH
Weights
3yo colts & geldings 8st 12lb; fillies 8st 9lb; 4yo+ colts & geldings 9st 9lb; fillies 9st 6lb
Weight for age
3yo from 4yo+ 11lb
pay
£5,450
Penalty value
1st
£708,875.00
2nd
£268,750.00
3rd
£134,500.00
4th
£67,000.00
5th
£33,625.00
6th
£16,875.00
JBB FORM RATINGS :
(1) EMILY UPJOHN (122) (1) HUKUM (122) (3) AUGUSTE RODIN (121) (4) PYLEDRIVER (119)) KING OF STEEL (119)
This looks one the strongest renewals of King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes in many years, with 7 group one winners in the field .
WESTOVER : 4-Y-0 FRANKEL COLT : WINNING 4 FROM 11 . Two time group one winner ,winning the Irish Derby in good style last season .Also finished creditable second in Coronation Cup at Epsom last month behind Emily Upjohn. Made no mistake when odds on favourite in G1 Grand Prix de Saint Cloud last time in France . Possible place claims on the pick last seasons form .
PYLEDRIVER : 6-Y-0 HARBOUR WATCH ENTIRE : WINNING 8 FROM 19 : Two time group one winner ,including winning this race last year .Made very promising return at Royal Ascot last time ,winning the G2 Hardwicke Stakes over C/D .Looks much stronger contest this year , though goes particarly well here at Ascot (3 from 4) Each-way claims,though possibly better on faster ground .
LUXENBOURG : 4-Y-0 CAMELOT COLT : WINNING 6 OUT 10 : Three time group one winner over shorter trips,winning the Irish Champion stakes last season .Also won the group one Tattersalls Gold Cup at Currugh in May .Well held in Prince Of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot last time and unproven over this 12f trip .Others preferred .
HUKUM : 6-Y-0 SEA THE STARS HORSE : WINNING 10 OUT 16 : Impressive 4L winner of the Coronation Cup last season beating Pyledriver in good style .Made promising return in G3 Brigadier Gerard at Sandown in May beating 2022 Derby winner Desert Crown .Goes well on soft ground. Big player especially with ground conditions coming in his favour .
EMILY UPJOHN : 4-Y-0 SEA THE STARS FILLY : WINNING 5 OUT 8 : Two time group one winner ,including winning this years Coronation Cup in great style at Epsom in June .Also C/D winner here at Ascot ,winning the Champion Fillies & Mares in October on quite soft ground .Probably ran career best last time in Eclipse at Sandown, only beaten half lengh by the 125 rated Paddington ,when trying concede 7lb .Solid claims returning to her best trip .
AUGUSTE RODIN : 3-Y-0 DEEP IMPACT COLT : WINNING 5 OUT 7 : Three time group one winner ,including winning the English & Irish Derby .After blowing out in 2000 guineas at Newmarket in May ,has shown improved form since stepping up to 12 furlongs ,beating King Of Steel at Epsom in June .Made hard work of winning Irish Derby last time at Curragh,though obvious claims on his Epsom form, receiving plenty weight off his older rivals .
KING OF STEEL : 3-Y-0 WOTTON BASSET COLT : WINNING 2 OUT 4 : Close second in Epsom Derby at 66-1 behind Auguste Rodin , getting just outstayed in closing stages .Made no mistake when dropped in class in G2 Edward V11 stakes over C/D at Royal Ascot last time ,beating Continuous easily by 4L ,looks open to further improvement after just 4 starts .Can't be ruled out,though has been beaten twice by Auguste Rodin .
BOLSOI BALLET : 5-Y-0 GALILEO HORSE : WINNING 4 OUT 14 : Possible pace maker for O'Brien team ,though not won for over two years .Has mountain to climb on recent form .
DEAUVILLE LEGEND : 4-Y-0 SEA THE STARS GELDING : WINNING 3 OUT 9 : Good winner of G2 Great Voltigeur at York last season on fast ground . Also finished creditable fourth in Melborne Cup in November ,though only fourth on reappearance in Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot .Looks up against it on form .
HAMISH : 7-Y-0 MOTIVATOR GELDING : WINNING 8 OUT 16 : Very consistent type .Goes particularly well on soft ground , Won both starts this season ,though yet to win outside group three company . Takes big step up in class here .Others Preferred .
PORT LONSDALE 4-Y-0 AUSTRALIA COLT : WINNING 6 OUT 9 : Goes well on soft ground (3 out 3),though yet to win outside group two company . 0 out 3 in group one races . Has plenty to find on form .
VERDICT : At the prices EMILY UPJOHN looks the each-way value returning to her optimum trip, with Frankie Dettori back in the plate .Was impressive winner of the Coronation Cup at Epsom in June over this trip ,and ran a cracker in the Eclipse ,finishing half-lengh second to 125 rated Paddington trying to concede that rival 7lb ,over trip short of her best .Odds around 5-1 look solid each-way value ,especially with bookmakers paying 4 places in this high quality group one contest .
(1) EMILY UPJOHN (2) HUKUM (3) AUGUSTE RODIN
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EMILY UPJOHN 3.40 ASCOT KING GEORGE VI & QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES
0.50 PTS EACH-WAY @ 5-1 SKYBET (1/5 ODDS 1-2-3-4)
(UNPLACED SP 7-2 LOSS £100/1.00 PT)
RESULT : 1ST HUKUM 13-2 2ND WESTOVER 7-1 3RD KING OF STEEL 9-2
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