Rebel’s Romance chasing more history in G2 Hardwicke Stakes

Rebel’s Romance seeks another landmark success in the G2 Hardwicke Stakes as he headlines four Godolphin contenders for the fifth and final day of Royal Ascot on Saturday, 21 June. 

The seven-year-old is bidding to become the oldest horse to capture the 12-furlong contest, as well as joining Anamoe as Godolphin’s most prolific Group winner with a 13th Pattern-race victory. 

Rebel’s Romance is already the winning-most horse in the royal blue silks, notching 17 wins during a glittering career that has included seven at G1 level in Germany, North America, the UAE and Hong Kong. 

Crowned Champion Male Turf Horse at the 2024 Eclipse Awards, the Charlie Appleby-trained son of Dubawi returns to a mile and a half on the back of a brave head success in last month’s G2 Yorkshire Cup. 

Charlie Appleby said: “Rebel’s Romance has been there and done it many times before. He looks in great shape and William [Buick] will be a lot more comfortable coming back to the mile and a half after his Yorkshire Cup win.”

Improving three-year-old Spy Chief steps up in class for John & Thady Gosden in the G3 Jersey Stakes, with half-brother to Al Suhail having easily won at Yarmouth on his third start.

Treanmor hopes to follow up an exciting introduction for Charlie Appleby when he tackles seven furlongs in the Listed Chesham Stakes. The Frankel colt scored by an easy four lengths over a furlong shorter at Newmarket in mid-May. 

Charlie Appleby said: “We thought a bit of Treanmor going into his debut and he was obviously impressive at Newmarket. He has done well since and the step up to seven should suit. We are hoping he is a live contender.”

Symbol Of Honour aims to continue a superb start to his three-year-old season on his handicap debut in the Wokingham Stakes. The Charlie Appleby-trained sprinter has won four of his five starts in 2025, most recently taking Haydock Park’s G2 Sandy Lane Stakes. 

Charlie Appleby said: “We only took a view at going for the Wokingham with Symbol Of Honour quite late on, as he had two quick runs at Newbury and Haydock. He gets a nice allowance as a three-year-old and is weighted to run a big race. He has freshened up well and we are confident that he can be a big player.”