Sole British contender Kalpana saw off a stellar international field to hand trainer Andrew Balding an emotional first victory in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Ascot’s Group One showpiece has been synonymous with the Balding family since Andrew’s late father, Ian, won it with his legendary Derby winner Mill Reef in 1971.
‘It is a big deal as it is a race we have always wanted to win,’ said a visibly emotional Balding, who sent out a rapid Group race treble in the space of two hours โ thanks to Moonrise’s success in the Princess Margaret Stakes earlier on the card and Item’s Group Two win at York.
‘It defines a season, and it defines a career a race like this. I’m so pleased.’
Referring to his family’s legacy with the race, Balding added: ‘We have grown up with it. I think the first ever winner of the race was trained at Kingsclere [where Balding trains], it is lovely to bring it back all these years later.’
For his part, jockey Colin Keane was a little more measured, saying: ‘I’m just delighted for the filly. Although she’s won two Group Ones, she probably deserves to have won a couple more and she showed her true class today.
‘It was one of the strongest renewals of the race, with horses coming from all over the globe, so for her to go and do it today is very special.’
Kalpana saw off a stellar international field to hand trainer Andrew Balding an emotional first victory
In a race run at a furious gallop, courtesy of two Ballydoyle pacemakers, Mickael Barzalona adopted patient tactics aboard reigning champion Calandagan before attempting to reel in Kalpana from the two-furlong marker.
However, in contrast to 12 months ago, the 6-5 favourite could not overhaul Balding’s mare who kept on powerfully to score by a cosy length and a half, with Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini a creditable third.
While disappointed at his gelding’s defeat, Calandagan’s trainer, Francis-Henri Graffard, was content with the performance.
‘This season hasn’t been as smooth as last year,’ Graffard said.
‘Epsom [Calandagan finished fourth in the Coronation Cup] was a disaster and then, Saint-Cloud, he won a good race there but they had changed the date of the race and it was much closer to this race.
‘So, it gave me less time to get him very fresh for today and, also, it’s a heatwave in France โ it takes a lot of energy of the horses. So with all these factors he still ran a very good race.’
Master trainer Aidan O’Brien was also content with the efforts of Benvenuto Cellini, who saw out the 1m 4f trip well.
He said: ‘I was very happy with Benvenuto Cellini. He ran a great race. It was his first time against the older horses, and we learnt a lot about him.
‘We learnt he gets the mile and a half well, and you couldn’t be sure of that until he did it against the older horses. Even going to the line he didn’t looked finished.
‘I think we could look at the Breeders’ Cup.’
Unfortunately, there were few positives in the performances of Japanese contenders Masquerade Ball and Wurttemberg, who never figured in seventh and ninth respectively.
Away from the big race here on a sunny Berkshire afternoon, Saffie Osborne rode a sparkling 274-1 treble, with superb victories aboard Amazing Journey and Hickory, for her father Jamie, and Primo Lara for trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam.
‘I love Ascot and it has been very lucky for me, with the exception of the Royal meeting,’ enthused the thrilled rider. ‘All three horses
had a chance but it would have been a bit adventurous to think they would all win. It’s very special.’
Chapple-Hyam enjoyed two winners herself at the track yesterday, with the Ryan Moore-ridden Kon Tiki impressively capturing the Group Three Valiant Stakes to supplement Primo Lara’s later victory.
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