Pyledriver Drives Out Opposition in The King George at Ascot

The race was first run in 1951 after it was an amalgamation of two races, the first was the King George Vi Stakes, a race over two miles which was first run in 1946. The second race was to celebrate and commemorate The King’s wife, Queen Elizabeth. This was first run in 1948 and was over 1 ½ miles. Major John Crocker Bulteel, the clerk of the course at Ascot wanted to have a Group 1 race, open to international runners and decided to join the original races together. The race would be run in the July meeting at Ascot and would be open to three year olds and up, for both colts and mares and fillies over 1 ½  miles. The race has kept the same format since its first running. The race became an iconic race – one of the few that all owners and breeders wished to win. As a result, it became very attractive to companies for sponsorship. In 1975, Debeers, the world renowned diamond dealers won the opportunity to sponsor the race, a race they remained as sponsors until 2006. Since then it has been sponsored by Qipco.

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