Outsprinted by Calandagan (Gleneagles) in 2025, Juddmonte's Kalpana (Study Of Man) outstayed the French superstar this time to carry off a stellar renewal of Ascot's G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.Living up to its billing, Saturday's edition was strongly-run as expected and it was the mare who proved the strongest of the best with an emphatic success. “She was impressive–she always improves run-to-run as the year goes on and she's a special mare,” jockey Colin Keane said of the 13-2 shot who had 1 1/2 lengths to spare over the title-holder at the line.“To do that is amazing. You wouldn't get a more straightforward horse to ride and she makes my job so easy,” he added. “We got a lovely pitch in the middle and controlled it to some degree, she's very game but she'll only ever do enough when she gets there.”Settled behind a Ballydoyle trio throughout, the Andrew Balding-trained Ascot specialist was launched in the straight and brushed aside the three-year-old Benvenuto Cellini (Frankel) before surging clear. The 6-5 favourite Calandagan was always playing catch-up in a renewal that tested his stamina to the full and may even have been fading late as Benvenuto Cellini stayed on to be a half-length further away.She's gone one better!Last year's runner-up KALPANA stars in the 2026 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes… pic.twitter.com/O0f51J2ff2— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 25, 2026The post ‘A Special Mare’: Keane Guides Kalpana To King George Glory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.