Masquerade Ball team gearing up for Calandagan rematch at Ascot
Trainer Takahisa Tezuka prepares Masquerade Ball for a much-anticipated rematch with Calandagan in the 2026 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. After a narrow defeat in the Japan Cup, Tezuka believes his star is ready for the international stage, highlighting both the challenge and the honor of competing at the UK's royal track. The showdown is highly anticipated, with Masquerade Ball entering at 3/1 odds and Calandagan leading the betting. The event marks Tezuka's first runner at Ascot.
- Masquerade Ball to face Calandagan in 2026 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes
- Tezuka targeting international success after Japan Cup near-miss
- First Ascot runner for Tezuka; Calandagan remains favourite
Takahisa Tezuka is busy preparing his stable star, Masquerade Ball for a second showdown with Calandagan in the 2026 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
The two met for the first time in the Japan Cup back in November. Masquerade Ball was sent off as the 6/4 favourite following his victory in the Tenno Sho, but it was Francis Graffard's globe-trotting superstar who snatched a narrow victory, silencing the home crowd with his late swoop.
Calandagan won the King George at Ascot last season, and will return to Berkshire on the back of sixth Group One victory in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. Tezuka has been eying an International campaign with Masquerade Ball for some time now, and has confirmed that his European tour will begin with a titanic rematch with Calandagan at Ascot.
"We started discussing plans for Masquerade Ball after he won Tenno Sho Autumn at Tokyo in November 2025, when I was impressed that this horse could be competitive at world stage."
"While he was beaten only a head by Calandagan in Japan Cup, I understand it was a complete loss, as Tokyo is our home course."
"Shadai Race Horse, which owns Masquerade Ball, has been very keen to send him to UK for King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes and we agreed it should be the target for Masquerade Ball."
Takahisa Tezuka is yet to saddle a runner on British shores. However, as he explained later in the interview, he does have some experience of British racing.
Tezuka continued, "I have stayed in Newmarket for six months more than 30 years ago, to learn what the Newmarket trainers are doing. And when I sent Fierement to Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 2019, I selected Newmarket as the training base in Europe, even though the race was in France."
"This is first time for me to have a runner at Ascot, which is the royal track, and I am very excited and I am honoured."
"I understand the shipping, which takes 48 hours from door to door, is big challenge for Masquerade Ball."
Christophe-Patrice Lemaire's mount can be backed at 3/1 to win at Ascot. Calandagan is the 7/4 favourite, with Aidan O'Brien's duo Benvenuto Cellini and Minnie Hauk available at 4/1 and 6/1 respectively.
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