Rebel’s Romance Tries to Overcome Age in King George
The rematch between 4-year-olds Jan Brueghel and Calandagan is officially on after both big guns were among the final field for the July 26 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Ascot Racecourse.
Jan Brueghel came out on top against his rival in last month’s Coronation Cup (G1) at Epsom Downs Racecourse, adding to his group 1 tally alongside his classic success in last year’s St Leger Stakes (G1). He is one of two runners for Aidan O’Brien alongside likely pacemaker and outsider Continuous .
Calandagan finally picked up his breakthrough top-level triumph in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1) last time out for Francis Henri-Graffard and Aga Khan Studs, and he returns to the scene of his wide-margin win in the King Edward VII Stakes (G2) at last year’s Royal Ascot meeting. He was listed as the 7-4 favorite July 24, when the going at Ascot was rated good.
“(Calandagan) has been a very competitive horse internationally at the top level. He won his group 1 very convincingly last time and he’s coming to Ascot in his best form,” Henri-Graffard said. “He doesn’t mind any ground. He’s very versatile and has already won on the course and distance. We won the race last year with Goliath, so hopefully can do it two years in a row.”
It is far from a two-horse race, however, as both Rebel’s Romance and Kalpana will take their chance in the 1 1/2-mile summer showpiece that also serves as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series. The winner will gain a guaranteed spot, with fees paid, into the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
Godolphin’s globetrotting 7-year-old Rebel’s Romance, winner of the 2022 and 2024 editions of the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland and Del Mar, respectively, is America’s reigning champion turf male. He also has major wins in Germany, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Qatar on his illustrious CV. He bids to complete the Hardwicke Stakes (G2) and King George double following his royal meeting success last month. He also aims for a first group 1 triumph in Britain. The Dubawi gelding finished third in this race a year ago behind Goliath .
“Rebel’s Romance has come out of Royal Ascot well and we’ll go into the King George as a decent player,” trainer Charlie Appleby said. “Needless to say, there are some young legs in there, but a little bit like last year, he’ll always run a solid race for you. You’re going to meet some younger horses who have taken different routes to get there, but the one thing about him is he’s not going to lie down easily and wherever he finishes, whoever beats him will know they’ve had a race.
“Beyond Ascot, one of his targets will be the grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine. Hopefully that will give him a springboard into another crack at the Breeders’ Cup.”
The Juddmonte-owned Kalpana will be ridden by Oisin Murphy with the owners’ number one rider, Colin Keane, suspended. The Andrew Balding-trained 4-year-old filly returns to the scene of her greatest triumph in last year’s British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes (G1).
“We are delighted with the way that Kalpana’s been training,” Balding said. “Her work has been very good. We are very happy with her condition at the moment and hopefully she can be competitive in what is a very strong race but she could not be in better shape at the moment.”
