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| Staff Writer |
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Rebel’s Romance is set to continue his extraordinary 2024 campaign, aiming for his first UK Group One victory in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, July 27.
The 6YO, unbeaten in five UK appearances including the 2022 Gr.3 Glorious Stakes, has achieved remarkable success internationally with wins in Dubai, Germany, North America, Qatar, and Hong Kong.
Following his Glorious Stakes victory, Rebel’s Romance secured a hat-trick of Group One wins in the Grosser Preis von Berlin, Preis von Europa, and the Breeders’ Cup Turf. After a challenging 2023, he has returned to top form this season with dominant performances in Qatar’s Gr.3 H H The Amir Trophy, the Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic, and the Gr.1 Champions & Chater Cup in Hong Kong.
Trainer Charlie Appleby remarked, “It’s great to be part of such a historic race. There looks to be plenty of strength in depth in this year’s renewal but we are very happy with Rebel’s Romance.”
“He has earned his reputation on the international stage, and the only real omission on his CV is a Group One win in England. This looks a decent opportunity to fill that gap and he has come out of Hong Kong in great shape.
“Rebel’s Romance is a very uncomplicated horse these days and a true professional. It has been a faultless campaign so far and we feel he is a big player here.”
Devoted Queen will put her flawless record to the test in the Gr.3 Valiant Stakes on the same Ascot card. The Kingman homebred made a winning debut at Newmarket last year and built on that with a victory at Kempton Park in April, followed by a two-length triumph in a York Listed race in mid-May.
Meanwhile, Gr.2 Coventry Stakes fifth Al Qudra returns to Ascot for the Listed Pat Eddery Stakes, a race that saw future Gr.1 stars Rosallion, Ancient Wisdom, and Sunway among its participants 12 months ago.
Charlie Appleby added: “Devoted Queen has had a nice break since York and we feel that she is ready to step up into Group company. She goes into this on the back of a nice preparation and we are looking forward to seeing how she gets on.
“Al Qudra brings experience into the Pat Eddery Stakes and I think the step up to seven furlongs can hopefully produce more improvement. It was a solid effort in the Coventry Stakes and he looks a leading contender with this step up in distance.”