Auguste Rodin heads King George Challenge

The Aiden O’Brien race favourite Auguste Rodin spearheads Coolmore’s three-strong challenge on the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot.

Priced as the $2.25 race favourite with Ladbrokes, and again with Ryan Moore in the saddle, he’s coming off a ¾ length victory in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

In jumping from Gate 2 in a field of 9 starters, this will give Auguste Rodin his seventh Group 1 success, and third Derby winner to win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

In also joining Royal Palace in 1968 and Teenoso, 1984, in being 4 year-olds, its Aiden O’Brien who has also won with Galileo, Dylan Thomas, Duke of Marmalade and Highland Reel.

“We have been very happy with Auguste Rodin and the plan always was to come here after the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, as in last year’s King George the soft ground held him up.”

“When Ryan Moore felt he was not going to win, he eased him out, and the run probably was not as bad as it looked, and the plan for Auguste Rodin after Ascot is the Japan Cup.”

“It’s very exciting, and could have a run somewhere in between, but as Luxembourg won the Coronation Cup over a mile and a half, as it would suit him as he’s in very good form.”

A British Championship Group 1 event of 1½ m, it’s the four Group 1 victor Luxembourg who is $12 with Wayne Lordan, who last time out won the Coronation Cup at Royal Ascot.”

Also from Ballydoyle is Hans Andersen at $100 for Sean Leavy from Gate 5, who was a last start fifth to City of Troy in the Eclipse Stakes, having last year won the 2000 Guineas Trial.

With six individual Group 1 winners in the field, its Godolphin’s globetrotting star Rebel’s Romance is the $4.50 second pick with betting sites for Charlie Appleby, and again be ridden by William Buick.

In being a Group 1 winner in four countries, he’s the ‘Gulf-Asia Champion’ having earlier won the Charter Cup in Hong Kong, the Dubai Sheema Classic and The Amir Trophy in Qatar.

Hampshire-based Ralph Beckett is aways ’there’ and with You Got To Me winning the Irish Oaks, his 4yo filly Bluestocking is $5 with Rossa Ryan having last won the Pretty Polly Stakes.

And no major could not have ‘Aussie Tom’ Marquand and his two-time Australian Group 1 hero Dubai Honour, who’s at S19 for William Haggas having won the Grand-Prix de St-Cloud.

Priced $12 is the Irish Derby runner-up Sunway for David Menuisier with James Doyle in the irons, who is looking for his first season having last year won the Criterium International.

At $17 is the John & Thady Gosden trained Middle Earth for jockey Oisin Murphy, while from France its Goliath who’s at $34, who was second in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

With the latest Longines World best Racehorse Ranking released in July, it was Auguste Rodin who earned his upgraded 122 ranking for his top victory in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

One point above on 123 is Rebel’s Romance, equal to Derby winner City of Troy, having held this ranking since March on winning the Dubai Sheema Classic, with Luxembourg on 120.

And as the 2024 Breeders’ Cup World Championship upon us, there’s whisper that City of Troy may compete at Del Mar, while as mentioned Auguste Rodin’s mission is the Japan Cup.

With this King Gearge VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes being a ‘Win You’re In’ for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf, will Augustine Rodin defend his title having won the Turf last year, or will Rebel’s Romance be seeking to renew his 2022 BC Turf crown with victory at Ascot.