Kalpana, a five-year-old mare, secured a notable victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, reversing last year’s form against Calandagan. The mare, trained by Andrew Balding and ridden by Colin Keane, delivered a strong performance to win by a length and a half.
This win marks a significant moment for Juddmonte, the owners of Kalpana. The mare, wearing the same colours as three-time winner Enable, demonstrated her class in what was described as a strong renewal of the race, featuring international contenders.
Race Overview and Performance
Kalpana, a well-supported 13-2 shot, travelled effectively during the race, taking the initiative after being manoeuvred into a clear position. Although Calandagan attempted to close from a hold-up position, he was unable to match the winner’s pace.
The Irish Derby winner, Benvenuto Cellini, finished third, half a length behind Calandagan. Lambourn, last year’s dual Derby winner, secured fourth place after staying on under pressure. The field included the last two winners of the race, Derby heroes, two Japanese contenders, and the second-place finisher from the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Colin Keane, reflecting on the victory, described Kalpana as a “special mare.” He noted her ability to improve with each run and highlighted her straightforward nature, stating she makes his job easy. Keane also mentioned that he thought she would need a personal best performance to even place, making her victory particularly impressive.
Andrew Balding expressed his satisfaction with Kalpana’s performance, noting her improved condition this year. He praised Keane’s riding, stating that he never needs to instruct him. Balding also highlighted the privilege of training for Juddmonte and the honour of winning the King George, a race his father, Ian Balding, previously won with Mill Reef.
International Representation and Future Prospects
The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes featured a strong international contingent. In addition to Calandagan from France, Japan was represented by Masquerade Ball, the Japan Cup runner-up, and Wurttemberg, who placed second in the Tenno Sho (Spring). Masquerade Ball finished seventh under Christophe Lemaire, while Wurttemberg was effectively pulled up in the home straight.
This victory marks Kalpana’s second win from three starts this season. She previously won the Group 3 Aston Park Stakes in May before finishing second to Giavellotto in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.
Looking ahead, discussions are expected regarding Kalpana’s next steps. The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, where she finished seventh last year, is a potential target, with bookmakers adjusting her odds for the Paris event on October 4. The Yorkshire Oaks is also a possibility, as the mare is currently thriving on her racing.
A Memorable Day for the Balding Stable
The day proved to be highly successful for Andrew Balding and his Kingsclere stable, with three Group winners in a span of two hours, headlined by Kalpana’s triumph. Other notable performances included Moonrise winning the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes under Oisin Murphy, holding off Dee’s Funny Girl.
Additionally, Item, who had previously won the Dante at York in May but had a less successful run in the Derby, returned to winning ways at York. Item secured a victory in the Group 2 York Stakes under Rob Hornby, beating older horses.
The connections of Kalpana received £1.13 million for her victory in the King George. Barry Mahon, European bloodstock and racing manager for Juddmonte, described the win as one of the biggest days in his role, comparable to Bluestocking’s performance in the Arc and Field Of Gold’s win at Royal Ascot last year.
Mahon also praised Balding’s work, highlighting his team and his ability to achieve strong results. The discussions regarding Kalpana’s future racing schedule will involve considering the timeline between the Arc and Champions Day, with Paris expected to be a key topic.
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Source: racingpost.com
