Saturday’s (26 July) King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2392m) will be the most valuable race ever run at Ascot and four of its five declared runners are world-class quality middle-distance performers by any measurement.
In terms of courage to match brilliance, Jan Brueghel is heading in the direction of awesome status. He often looks like he's beaten, only to pull victory out of the fire. The same could also be said of his legendary rider Ryan Moore.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien blamed himself for the son of Galileo's sole career defeat in a Group 3 at The Curragh (2000m) in April, saying that the race was too soon for his 2025 return. But that setback was quickly forgotten when Jan Brueghel rallied after a thrilling battle up the Epsom straight with Saturday's opponent Calandagan (Mickael Barzalona) to win June's G1 Coronation Cup (2405m).
O'Brien says of Jan Brueghel who will be fitted with cheekpieces. "He doesn't surrender and if you pass him slowly you're in trouble."
After four consecutive seconds – albeit all in Group 1 company – Calandagan's will to win was questioned. Of those defeats, his Chantilly-based trainer Francis-Henri Graffard says: "He has finished second to some brilliant horses and each time with some excuses. I keep my faith with this horse."
Admittedly, the field was not that strong, but Calandagan's subsequent winning acceleration away from four rivals in last month's G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2400m) suggested that Jan Brueghel will have another battle on his hands on Saturday. A searching pace could suit both horses and that is expected with Wayne Lordan no doubt sending O'Brien's Continuous steaming from the gates.
Rebel's Romance (William Buick) has been a huge money-spinner for Godolphin with the Charlie Appleby-trained gelding's achievements (18 wins from 26 starts) including a stylish victory in last year's G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin. But, at seven years old, he would be the oldest-ever winner in the long history of this Ascot spectacular.
The Andrew Balding-trained Kalpana gets a handy fillies' allowance. She ended last season with a sparkling victory in the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (2321m) at Ascot and has lost out only narrowly in two Group 1 starts at The Curragh over shorter distances this year. Back at this longer trip, and back at Ascot, Oisin Murphy's mount is not easy to dismiss from King George calculations.
