King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes:

Location: Ascot (UK)

Total Prize: £1,000,000 (approx. US$1,555,000)

Official Website: http://www.ascot.co.uk

First run: 1951

Qualification: Open 3yr old and up

Distance: 1 mile 4 furlongs (approx 2400 metres)

Course Record: 2:26.78 Harbinger 2010 in this race.

Track: Turf, right handed.

Track Bias: Small fields and the long straights of the Ascot track mean that no discernable bias applies although it is hard to lead all the way. On pace runners with a good turn of foot can overtake the leaders in the final straight.

History: Informally known as the "King George" (but not to be confused with the Group 2 King George Stakes at Goodwood in July), the 1^st running of this race was officially The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Festival of Britain Stakes, combining 2 other races (The King George Stakes and The Queen Elizabeth Stakes) and celebrating The Festival of Britain with a race offering the 2^nd biggest purse for any race in Britain after the Derby. Following as it does around a month after the Epsom Derby, many horses will enter both and there is a long list of famous horses that have won the double including Nijinsky 1970, Mill Reef 1971, Shergar, 1981 and Galileo 2001.

Past Winners; The Minstrel 1977, Nashwan 1989, Lamtarra 1995, Conduit 2009 and Harbinger 2010

Lead Up Form: Epsom Derby

Related Races:  In 1970 Nijinsky won The Derby, The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, The Irish Derby and came 2^nd in the  Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe and in 1971 winner Mill Reef went on to win the Arc. Many horses from this race also go on to contest the Irish Derby.

Top Jockeys & Trainers: The most successful jockey to date is Lester Piggott with 7 wins, The most successful trainer is Sir Michael Stoute with equal 5 wins, he also trained the 2^nd and 3^rd placed horses in 2009.

Betting at Ascot UK including the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ascot Gold Cup, King Stand Stakes & Golden Jubilee Stakes is available now online at Sportsbet.com.au.