Kalpana lands the King George in style
Trainer Andrew Balding has revealed he could have another first once the team have celebrated the brilliant King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes win by Kalpana. The mare charged clear of Calandagan, the horse that defeated her the year before, to land the huge midsummer prize at Ascot.
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Balding cheered with his son Jonno as Kalpana held off the French-trained favourite and third-placed Benvenuto Cellini, one of four runners for Aidan O'Brien. The win came in the £2million event and added another major success to Balding's record.
In an interview following the £2million event, Balding said the post-race celebrations might go on a little longer.
“My daughter asked me the other day if I would ever get a tattoo and I said no, unless Kalpana ever won the King George,” he said on Sky Sports Racing. “I hope she is not going to hold me to that!”
He added:
“It worked out perfectly today. I don’t need to tell Colin (Keane, jockey) what to do as he knows what to do. It was a fabulous ride and a great performance.
