King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Breeders' Cup Challenge Series > King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Race Facts

• Location: Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, England
• Inaugural Race: 1951
• Distance: 1 and 1/2 miles (12 furlongs)
• Track Type: Right-handed, Turf
• Age Qualifications: Three-year-olds and up
• 2023 Purse: £1,250,000
• 2023 Race Date: Saturday, July 29th

2023 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Race Results

Exotic Payoffs:

• $1 Exacta (4-8) Paid: $60.70
• $1 Trifecta (4-8-11) Paid: $377.50

Watch the 2023 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Race History

Recognized as England's most prestigious open-age flat race, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes has run annually at the Ascot Racecourse in Ascot, England since 1951. The race is regarded as Britian's most distinguished flat race and its winners are a proverbial "who's who" of elite European horses.

The race was initially conceived as a combination of two separate races held at Ascot, named in honor of King George and Queen Elizabeth respectively, in order to establish an important international race for three-year-olds. The 1975 running, described by some as the "race of the century", featured a thrilling head-to-head battle down the stretch between Grundy and Bustino. Grundy, the 1975 Epsom Derby winner and 4-5 favorite, was four lengths behind 4-1 chance Bustino at the head of the straight when Grundy began to rally. As soon as Grundy won the edge at the furlong pole, Bustino gave one final push that had both horses deadlocked until the final 100 yards when Grundy pulled away and eventually secured a half-length win.

Frankie Dettori and Lester Piggott are both tied for the record for most wins by a jockey with 7 each. Dettori's most recent three wins (2017, 2019, and 2020) came at the helm of Enable, the races winningest horse. Sir Michael Stoute currently holds the record for most wins by a trainer with six.

As of 2011 the race has been included in the Breeders' Cup Challenge series, offering the winner an automatic bid into the Breeders' Cup Turf.

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Past Winners