Godolphin's globetrotting legend Rebel's Romance chases historic King George crown
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.
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