Rebel’s Romance Targets Royal Ascot and Rekindles Global Elite Hopes

Charlie Appleby maps out Hardwicke Stakes (G2) as next stop, with long-awaited American challenge also on the radar

NEWMARKET, England (Turf Diario Special)—In an era where information travels faster than ever, rumors tend to follow the same path. Over the past few days, speculation began to circulate suggesting that Rebel’s Romance could be heading into retirement. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth.

Godolphin’s globetrotting star, a multiple Group 1 winner across different continents, remains firmly in training and with major targets ahead. Trainer Charlie Appleby made that clear by confirming that the son of Dubawi will return to action in the Hardwicke Stakes (G2) during the Royal Ascot meeting.

The choice of race is no coincidence. Rebel’s Romance is already a past winner of the Hardwicke, and the plan is to use it as a launching pad following his withdrawal from the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) in March.

“I didn’t think he could beat Calandagan (Gleneagles), so we decided not to run him on Dubai World Cup night,” Appleby explained, emphasizing the strategic nature of the decision. “The Hardwicke is the perfect place to get him started again.”

A recent winner of the Dubai City of Gold (G2), the gelding continues to prove his relevance at the highest level, combining stamina, class, and remarkable adaptability across different racing jurisdictions.

But Ascot is only part of the plan. Also firmly on the radar is a long-standing target that still fuels the team’s ambition: the Sword Dancer Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

“I’ve always wanted to win that race with him,” Appleby admitted. “We tried in 2023, but he couldn’t make it after an issue in his prep. It’s unfinished business we’d love to take care of.”

With a résumé built on success in Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, Rebel’s Romance stands as one of the true international performers of modern racing, earning his reputation through consistency and top-level achievement.

That’s why the retirement rumors not only proved premature, but entirely unfounded. There are no farewell plans—only another chapter waiting to be written. And if his career has shown anything, it’s that Rebel’s Romance still has plenty left to say.