Ascot prepares for King George with increased prize money
Ascot’s Financial Health and Strategic Focus
Ascot Racecourse has reported annual pre-tax profits of £10.5m in 2025. The track has also cleared its debt, having paid off the final £3m of a loan used to construct its grandstand in 2006. This financial stability comes as the racecourse prepares for an exceptional renewal of the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Attendance figures for the Royal meeting last month saw an increase across all five days, setting a post-Covid record. Despite broader concerns within the racing industry regarding affordability checks, tax raids, and declining attendance, Ascot appears to be maintaining a strong position.
Nick Smith, Ascot’s director of racing and public affairs, stated that a conscious strategic decision was made two years ago to focus on the King George as its primary race asset. He noted that while the Royal meeting is distinct, the King George is considered the main asset, surpassing races like the Gold Cup or the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
King George Stakes Attracts Top Talent
The upcoming King George is set to feature a strong field, with a prize fund of £2m, making it the most valuable race in Ascot’s history until next year. The event is described as the best King George of this century by Smith, highlighting the quality of the participants.
The field includes Calandagan, identified as last year’s best racehorse, and Masquerade Ball, who was ranked as the world’s second-best. Also competing is Benvenuto Cellini, described as the best one-and-a-half mile three-year-old based on current performances. Other notable entries include Kalpana, Minnie Hauk, and Goliath, a previous winner from two years ago.
Masquerade Ball, one of two Japanese-trained runners, is considered a significant contender. Japan’s racing industry is known for its success and its appreciation for both stamina and speed in its champions. Millions of Japanese fans are anticipated to watch the race, hoping for a historic victory that could establish Masquerade Ball as a highly sought-after stallion prospect.
Trainer Takahisa Tezuka expressed satisfaction with Masquerade Ball’s condition since arriving in the UK on July 12. Tezuka noted the horse’s maturation and development from three to four years old, both mentally and physically, describing him as bigger and stronger. Despite initial concerns about the journey, Tezuka reported that everything went smoothly and the horse is training well.
Calandagan, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, is a strong favourite, having ended 2025 as the world’s top-rated racehorse. However, Masquerade Ball was closely matched with Calandagan in the Japan Cup, finishing just a head behind. Benvenuto Cellini, the Irish Derby winner, and Minnie Hauk, who placed second in last season’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, are also considered serious rivals.
Future Ambitions for the King George
Ascot’s long-term objective is to promote the King George as a premier horse race. Smith emphasised the racecourse’s commitment to showcasing the event itself, rather than focusing on peripheral attractions. He mentioned the display of flags with the colours of past King George winners along the course and banners of previous champions around the parade ring, underscoring the race’s heritage.
Next year, the prize money for the King George is set to increase to £2.5m. This boost will position the race behind only the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which offers a purse of €5m (approximately £4.24m), among European races. Ascot’s ultimate ambition is to eventually match the prize money offered at the Longchamp event.
Smith acknowledged that achieving this goal will take several years, particularly given the funding system of French racing, which benefits from a pari-mutuel monopoly. He views the current and upcoming prize money increases as a clear statement of intent, marking the beginning of a sustained effort to elevate the King George’s standing in international racing.
The racecourse aims for the King George to consistently rank among the top four races globally in the coming years. Masquerade Ball is set to compete in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday.
Source: theguardian.com
As NewsUK's Senior Football Correspondent, Thomas Beckwith reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on three World Cups for a national news agency. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Thomas lives in Sheffield, where he watches lower-league football most weekends. “Football writing is about the decisions, not just the result.”
