King George Weekend: tradition, charm and names that endure
On Saturday 26 July, Ascot once again set the stage for a British celebration that goes far beyond horse racing. The King George Weekend, one of the most anticipated dates on the calendar, brought together not only the prestige and tradition of the turf but also a select and cheerful crowd that filled the venue with spontaneity and energy.
The atmosphere was carefully orchestrated, blending nature, architecture and hospitality. Perfectly arranged flowers, attentive service and a precise programme turned the day into a memorable experience. Between glasses of wine and moments of conversation, guests moved to the rhythm of bets and expectations, composing a quintessentially British setting where time seemed to flow differently.
Queen Camilla was in attendance and presented one of the trophies, adding a distinctive touch of royal presence to the occasion. Her participation highlighted the significance of the King George Weekend within the British social and sporting calendar.
Credits PA Images
In the main event of the day, Calandagan delivered a commanding performance to win the 75th edition of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. It was a second consecutive victory in the race for French trainer Francis Henri Graffard. Jockey Mickael Barzalona sat patiently at the back of the five runner field, advancing just as Kalpana, ridden by Oisin Murphy, surged forward. In the final moments, Calandagan showed his fighting spirit to overtake the filly and secure another Group 1 triumph for his team.
Saturday’s card featured two Group 3 wins for trainer Hugo Palmer. The Sodexo Live Princess Margaret Stakes went to Fitzella, guided to the finish with authority by Oisin Murphy. In the Longines Valiant Stakes, Cheshire Dancer, trained by Palmer and ridden by James Doyle, claimed victory in a tightly contested four horse finish. The Moet and Chandon International Handicap saw Two Tribes, trained by John Quinn and ridden by Jason Hart, pass Classic in the closing strides. Words of Truth, trained by Andrew Balding and ridden by David Probert, won the British EBF Crocker Bulteel Confined Maiden Stakes on his second start. Tenability, trained by George Boughey and ridden by Kevin Stott, dominated the Me2 Club Handicap. The closing Whispering Angel Handicap was won by Cover Up, trained by James Ferguson and ridden by Danny Muscutt.
Among the visual highlights of the day was the presence of Whispering Angel rose, seen discreetly displayed in some of the official prize presentations. As a wine I personally admire, it was pleasing to see it featured as a sponsor of one of the day’s races, adding a refined touch to the occasion.
Beyond the sporting celebration, Ascot represents a remarkable ecosystem of labour. Thousands of professionals contribute to the seamless execution of every detail, from garden and hospitality teams to logistics, media, catering and security.
Among those individuals is George, a veteran who has worked at Ascot for many years and who has always been gracious and kind to me and the team at Avesso Magazine. On a day filled with tradition and legacy, mentioning his name — the same as that of the race itself — feels both timely and symbolic.
As the sun set and the sound of hooves faded into the evening, what remained was the clear sense that King George is not just a race. It is a reflection of British culture, attention to detail and stories that deserve to be remembered.
