G2 Hardwicke Stakes

Australia's big hope for Royal Ascot 2026, Joliestar (Zoustar), has been drawn in the middle for Saturday's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes as 19 sprinters were confirmed on Thursday morning. James McDonald's mount will exit from stall nine in the six-furlong feature, with last year's runner-up Satono Reve (Lord Kanaloa) towards the stands' side in 18 under Ryan Moore. Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy's recently-gelded 2024 Golden Eagle winner Lake Forest (No Nay Never) retains regular rider Cieren Fallon in stall one on the far wing, while Tuesday's King Charles...

Globetrotting multiple Group 1 winner Rebel's Romance will defend his G2 Hardwicke Stakes crown at Royal Ascot next, according to trainer Charlie Appleby. The gelding was withdrawn from the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic prior to the race at the end of March. Appleby told the Press Association, "He's heading to the Hardwicke. I didn't think he could beat Calandagan (Gleneagles) in the Dubai Sheema Classic which is why we didn't take him over there for World Cup night and I think the Hardwicke is the right spot to start him...

Bringing an end to a three-year winless streak at Royal Ascot for Charlie Appleby, Dubawi's international heavyweight Rebel's Romance landed the required knockout blow in Saturday's G2 Hardwicke Stakes. Always travelling easily behind the genuine pace, the 6-4 favourite took control two out and drew away under William Buick to beat Al Riffa (Wootton Bassett) by 1 3/4 lengths, with Ghostwriter (Invincible Spirit) 1 1/2 lengths away in third. "He's a worldwide superstar--I have a picture of him on my bedside table, he means so much to us," commented Appleby, whose last...

Saturday's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes has a confirmed field of 16, with the big favourites set to represent four different countries in a fascinating edition of the six-furlong feature. Last year's G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest winner Lazzat (Territories) represents the Jerome Reynier stable and forms the spearhead of a strong French challenge alongside Topgear (Wootton Bassett), British hopes rest with last year's G1 Commonwealth Cup hero Inisherin (Shamardal) from the Kevin Ryan stable, Aidan O'Brien relies on his Australian import Storm Boy (Justify) and Japan are represented...

G2 King Edward VII Stakes winner Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) will likely get a break after his exploits at Royal Ascot. Since he is ineligible for some French Group 1 races after being gelded--namely the G1 Grand Prix de Paris and the G1 Arc de Triomphe--trainer Francis-Henri Graffard is in no rush to plot what the next assignment will be for the multiple Group winner. "We know how hard it is to be competitive and win at Ascot, so we are delighted with this win of course," Graffard said. "He...

With Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) sadly no longer with us and Shaquille (GB) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) retired, Europe's sprint category is in something of a lull at present. Elite-level performers are thin on the ground for Saturday's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, with the best of them being Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}) who will be racing on ground that is quicker than ideal. When it comes to the baker's dozen tackling Marc Chan's standard-setter, it will probably be a case of who peaks...

Saturday's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot will see a field of 14 sprinters line up in an open-looking renewal which includes last year's surprise winner Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Jamie Spencer, who partnered that Charles Hills-trained 80-1 shot 12 months ago, will instead be on Fitri Hay's other runner Mitbaahy (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}) from the same stable following his success in The Curragh's G2 Greenlands Stakes last month. Peter Harris's G2 1895 Duke of York Stakes winner Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) represents the Jane...