Juddmonte’s Douglas Erskine Crum holds the trophy alongside Andrew Balding, Colin Keane and HRH The Princess Royal. Photo: Dan Abraham/focusonracing.comKalpana has claimed the prize, but how will it affect her place in our table? Ascot assembled a global field but the 2026 Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes was destined to stay in its host country. Calandagan was followed over the line by a close-up Benvenuto Cellini (current #40 from #37), the Epsom Group 1 Derby non-runner but Group 1 Irish Derby winner. Thereafter came Benvenuto Cellini’s stablemate Lambourn (currently #103 from #98), Calandagan’s yard mate and 2024 King George winner Goliath (currently #63 from #64) and longtime pacesetter Action (currently #1078 from #1088), who stayed on for sixth.