Rebel's Romance seeks another first in G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes
Ascot's midsummer highlight has been won by Godolphin luminaries Swain, Daylami, Doyen and Adayar, although a seven-year-old has yet to be successful since the race was inaugurated in 1951.
Rebel's Romance is no stranger to rewriting the record books. The Charlie Appleby-trained son of Dubawi became the first horse to win non-consecutive renewals of the G1 Breeders' Cup Turf in November and is also the only overseas runner to capture Hong Kong's G1 Champions & Chater Cup.
His tally of 18 wins, including 14 in Group races, makes him the most prolific Godolphin horse in history, with seven-top level victories including three in Germany and the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in addition to his North American and Hong Kong successes.
A valiant third in last year's King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Rebel's Romance returns having won three of his four starts this season, including comfortably taking the G2 Hardwicke Stakes over the course and distance at Royal Ascot.
Charlie Appleby said: 'Rebel's Romance goes into this in great order. There was plenty of strength in depth in this contest 12 months ago, when he ran a good race, and it looks a similarly strong renewal this time around.
'He is taking on younger opposition again but, wherever he finishes, the others will know that they have had a race.'
Dubawi filly Dance To The Music hopes to follow up a winning introduction for the same trainer in the G3 Princess Margaret Stakes earlier on the card.
The full-sister to three-time G1 winner Space Blues remains over six furlongs after overcoming signs of inexperience to score by a length at Newmarket in May.
Charlie Appleby added: 'Dance To The Music has done well physically since winning at Newmarket. She is stepping up to Pattern company for the first time and it's a fact-finding mission. The form of her race has worked out well and we are hopeful that she can be competitive at this level.'
Sovereignty aims to rule again in G2 Jim Dandy Stakes: Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty looks to continue the momentum of an outstanding campaign into the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga in US on Saturday.
The Into Mischief homebred has established himself as the best three-year-old colt in North America and makes a second start at Saratoga this summer following a convincing victory over Preakness Stakes victor Journalism in the G1 Belmont Stakes.
Sovereignty also denied Journalism in the G1 Kentucky Derby, as the Bill Mott-trained colt provided Godolphin with a first victory in the Run for the Roses.
Winner of the G3 Street Sense Stakes on his final juvenile outing, Sovereignty started his year with two appearances at Gulfstream Park – winning the G2 Fountain Of Youth Stakes before taking second in the G1 Florida Derby.
Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: 'Bill has been pleased with Sovereignty's build up to the Jim Dandy. He has done everything that Bill has wanted and is ready to get back to work.
'The Jim Dandy will serve as a nice prep to get to the mid-season goal of the G1 Travers in late August. It is a small field as expected – the one concern is that they are mainly closers except for Mo Plex, who is the lone speed and will probably try to control the field from the front.
'Sovereignty has a nice draw on the outside [5], so Junior [Alvarado] will have options of what type of trip he gets. We expect him to run very well and solidify his position as the top three-year-old in the country.'
Time To Turn rises to the occasion at Ascot: Time To Turn provided Godolphin with a fifth Listed Pat Eddery Stakes win in the space of seven years as he reversed the form with A Bit Of Spirit at Ascot on Friday.
A head had separated the duo in a Newbury novice race in mid-June, with the victorious A Bit Of Spirit going on to readily defy a penalty at Sandown Park and Time To Turn reopposing after scoring by 10 lengths at Wolverhampton.
Held up at the rear of the six runners by William Buick, Time To Turn started to make smooth headway two furlongs out and the Dark Angel homebred quickened into a clear lead inside the final furlong.
Palace Pier colt A Bit Of Spirit rallied and reduced Time To Turn's lead close home, with the Charlie Appleby-trained juvenile holding on by a head. The front two pulled more than three lengths clear of third home Italica.
Charlie Appleby said: 'It was a pleasing run from Time To Turn, who is learning on the job. We are learning about him as well and it was another nice step forward today. We might give him a little break and look towards the autumn, as I think he will appreciate some juice in the ground.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Gulf Today
Rebel's Romance seeks another first in G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes
International superstar Rebel's Romance bids to add a first UK G1 to his glittering CV in the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday. Ascot's midsummer highlight has been won by Godolphin luminaries Swain, Daylami, Doyen and Adayar, although a seven-year-old has yet to be successful since the race was inaugurated in 1951. Rebel's Romance is no stranger to rewriting the record books. The Charlie Appleby-trained son of Dubawi became the first horse to win non-consecutive renewals of the G1 Breeders' Cup Turf in November and is also the only overseas runner to capture Hong Kong's G1 Champions & Chater Cup. His tally of 18 wins, including 14 in Group races, makes him the most prolific Godolphin horse in history, with seven-top level victories including three in Germany and the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in addition to his North American and Hong Kong successes. A valiant third in last year's King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Rebel's Romance returns having won three of his four starts this season, including comfortably taking the G2 Hardwicke Stakes over the course and distance at Royal Ascot. Charlie Appleby said: 'Rebel's Romance goes into this in great order. There was plenty of strength in depth in this contest 12 months ago, when he ran a good race, and it looks a similarly strong renewal this time around. 'He is taking on younger opposition again but, wherever he finishes, the others will know that they have had a race.' Dubawi filly Dance To The Music hopes to follow up a winning introduction for the same trainer in the G3 Princess Margaret Stakes earlier on the card. The full-sister to three-time G1 winner Space Blues remains over six furlongs after overcoming signs of inexperience to score by a length at Newmarket in May. Charlie Appleby added: 'Dance To The Music has done well physically since winning at Newmarket. She is stepping up to Pattern company for the first time and it's a fact-finding mission. The form of her race has worked out well and we are hopeful that she can be competitive at this level.' Sovereignty aims to rule again in G2 Jim Dandy Stakes: Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty looks to continue the momentum of an outstanding campaign into the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga in US on Saturday. The Into Mischief homebred has established himself as the best three-year-old colt in North America and makes a second start at Saratoga this summer following a convincing victory over Preakness Stakes victor Journalism in the G1 Belmont Stakes. Sovereignty also denied Journalism in the G1 Kentucky Derby, as the Bill Mott-trained colt provided Godolphin with a first victory in the Run for the Roses. Winner of the G3 Street Sense Stakes on his final juvenile outing, Sovereignty started his year with two appearances at Gulfstream Park – winning the G2 Fountain Of Youth Stakes before taking second in the G1 Florida Derby. Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: 'Bill has been pleased with Sovereignty's build up to the Jim Dandy. He has done everything that Bill has wanted and is ready to get back to work. 'The Jim Dandy will serve as a nice prep to get to the mid-season goal of the G1 Travers in late August. It is a small field as expected – the one concern is that they are mainly closers except for Mo Plex, who is the lone speed and will probably try to control the field from the front. 'Sovereignty has a nice draw on the outside [5], so Junior [Alvarado] will have options of what type of trip he gets. We expect him to run very well and solidify his position as the top three-year-old in the country.' Time To Turn rises to the occasion at Ascot: Time To Turn provided Godolphin with a fifth Listed Pat Eddery Stakes win in the space of seven years as he reversed the form with A Bit Of Spirit at Ascot on Friday. A head had separated the duo in a Newbury novice race in mid-June, with the victorious A Bit Of Spirit going on to readily defy a penalty at Sandown Park and Time To Turn reopposing after scoring by 10 lengths at Wolverhampton. Held up at the rear of the six runners by William Buick, Time To Turn started to make smooth headway two furlongs out and the Dark Angel homebred quickened into a clear lead inside the final furlong. Palace Pier colt A Bit Of Spirit rallied and reduced Time To Turn's lead close home, with the Charlie Appleby-trained juvenile holding on by a head. The front two pulled more than three lengths clear of third home Italica. Charlie Appleby said: 'It was a pleasing run from Time To Turn, who is learning on the job. We are learning about him as well and it was another nice step forward today. We might give him a little break and look towards the autumn, as I think he will appreciate some juice in the ground.'
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Godolphin's globetrotting legend Rebel's Romance chases historic King George crown
The eyes of the global racing world will turn to Ascot on Saturday, July 26, as Rebel's Romance, the most prolific horse in Godolphin's storied history, lines up in the Group 1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, seeking a historic first British top-level victory to add to his glittering international résumé. The £1.5 million midsummer highlight at Ascot is not just the richest all-aged flat race in Britain; it is a battleground of champions, a race where legacies are written, and reputations either crowned or crushed. For Dubai-owned Rebel's Romance, trained by Charlie Appleby, the 2025 edition offers another chance to cement his name in the British record books. With 18 career wins, including 14 in Group company and a remarkable seven at the top level, Rebel's Romance has already secured his place in history as Godolphin's winningest horse of all time since the stable was created in 1993. His Group 1 triumphs stretch from North America to Germany, from Hong Kong to Dubai, where he stormed to victory in the 2023 Dubai Sheema Classic. And yet, one prize continues to elude him: a Group 1 victory on British soil. That could change on Saturday. Appleby Upbeat 'Rebel's Romance goes into this in great order,' said Appleby. 'There was plenty of strength in depth in this contest 12 months ago, when he ran a good race, and it looks a similarly strong renewal this time around. 'He is taking on younger opposition again, but, wherever he finishes, the others will know that they have had a race.' Indeed, Rebel's Romance ran an admirable third in last year's King George and returns to Ascot in flying form. Three wins from four starts this season include a commanding performance in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes over the same course and distance at Royal Ascot in June, a clear signal of his readiness. This is a race that holds special resonance for Dubai racing fans. The King George has previously been won by legendary Godolphin runners like Swain (1997 & 1998), Daylami (1999), Doyen (2004), and Adayar (2021), while other Dubai-owned stars such as Postponed and Poet's Word have added their names to the honour roll. It all began in 1988 with Mtoto, the first Dubai-connected horse to capture the race. Rebel's Romance now carries the royal blue silks into that elite company. But the road to glory won't be easy. Rival Loom Among his key rivals is heavily fancied Calandagan, representing France, who returns to Ascot off a Group 1 breakthrough in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, the colt seeks to emulate stablemate Goliath, who won this race last year. Ireland's challenge is led by Jan Brueghel, the 2024 Coronation Cup winner and reigning St Leger champion. Only one horse, Conduit in 2009, has pulled off the rare St Leger–King George double in recent years. Trainer Aidan O'Brien strengthens his hand with Continuous, Lambourn, and Whirl - each a Group winner, each a potential spoiler. British hopes rest partly on Kalpana, the Juddmonte filly who impressed in last year's Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, while rounding out the field is Green Impact, a lightly raced contender from Jessica Harrington's yard in Ireland. Saturday's King George is more than just a big-money clash. It's a mid-season summit of elite middle-distance talent colliding for supremacy. For Rebel's Romance, a Group 1 crown in Britain would not only be the ultimate homecoming triumph but a fitting jewel in an already glittering crown.
Gulf Today
19-07-2025
- Gulf Today
Immersive hopes to regain winning thread in G1 Coaching Club American Oaks
Reigning Champion Two-Year-Old Filly Immersive looks to avenge a first career defeat on her return to G1 company in the Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga in US on Saturday. The Nyquist filly emerged with plenty of credit when going down by a neck to Take Charge Milady in the Monomoy Girl Stakes at Churchill Downs in mid-June, in which the Godolphin homebred was making her first start of the season following a layoff with bone bruising. In an outstanding juvenile campaign for Brad Cox, Immersive dominated her division with four imposing wins, including a hat-trick of G1 victories in the Spinaway Stakes, Darley Alcibiades Stakes and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: 'Immersive has trained like the champion she is since her extended spell off in the winter. Her comeback prep race was everything we could have asked for, except for losing her undefeated record. 'She had a bullet workout last Saturday, indicating her readiness for her first major goal of the season here. She didn't get an ideal draw down on the rail, but she dealt with the same issue last year in the Spinaway. 'Hopefully, La Cara doesn't get an easy uncontested lead, like she has in both her G1 wins, and is kept honest in front. Brad is very happy with Immersive's condition. We expect her to run very well and hopefully get back on the winning trail.' Nash bids to secure a first Graded Stakes win in the G2 Alfred G Vanderbilt Handicap on the same card, with the Medaglia d'Oro colt having found his calling as a hold-up sprinter. Runner-up to Preakness winner Seize The Grey in last year's G2 Pat Day Mile, Nash is two wins from three starts in allowance optional claimers since dropping to six furlongs earlier this season. Michael Banahan added: 'Nash is coming into the G2 Vanderbilt in great shape and had a very good breeze last Saturday at his homebase of Churchill Downs. Last year, we were hoping that he would make it down the Derby trail, but that didn't work out and trying to figure out his preferred distance was somewhat trial and error. He appears to have found his home as a come-from-behind sprinter. 'He received one of the highest 2025 speed figures winning his last race, so now is the time to find out if he can replicate that in Graded company. This is a tough race and would probably be much the same field if it were a G1. 'We are hopeful of a good performance and, if he runs back to his last race, he should be very competitive, although he must seal the deal against Graded opposition.' Rain key to Ancient Wisdom's Newbury chances: Ancient Wisdom looks set for a return to Listed company in the Steventon Stakes at Newbury in UK on Saturday providing the forecast rain arrives at the Berkshire course. The son of Dubawi finished third on his sole previous Listed appearance in Ascot's Pat Eddery Stakes in July, 2023, with his nine subsequent starts all coming in Group races including victory in the same season's G1 Futurity Trophy. Ancient Wisdom failed to act on quicker ground at Newbury on his four-year-old return but bounced back to form with a half-length second in the G3 Gordon Richards Stakes. He was pitched back into G1 company for the Coronation Cup at Epsom Downs on his latest outing, in which he faded to fifth. Trainer Charlie Appleby said: 'Ancient Wisdom has been gelded since his run in the Coronation Cup, and we feel that a mile and a quarter is probably his optimum trip these days. He wants plenty of cut underneath and would be an unlikely runner unless it's genuine good to soft ground.' Meanwhile, Consistent four-year-old Casapueblo produced another valiant effort as he went down by half a length to Mont de Soleil in the G3 Grand Prix de Vichy in France. Returning to the provinces having finished second in a Toulouse Listed race in April, the Andre Fabre-trained son of Le Havre was held up in sixth of the seven runners by Cristian Demuro for most of the 10-furlong highlight of Vichy's season. Tito Mo Cen made the early running before Cambronne snuck up the inside rail to hit the front after two and a half furlongs. Cambronne continued to save ground entering the straight, with Tito Mo Cen leading the rest of the field down the centre of the course. Casapueblo tracked Mont de Soleil as the eventual winner swooped to take up the running over a furlong out and the Godolphin runner saw out the trip well, edging out Woodchuck for second in the closing strides.
