Coolmore and Westerberg's dual Derby hero Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) heads a field of nine for Saturday's G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Qipco S. after final declarations were confirmed for Ascot's midsummer showpiece on Thursday morning. Aidan O'Brien trimmed his team from five to three for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf “Win and You're In”, sidelining Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}), and will also saddle Hans Andersen (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}).
Auguste Rodin, who has hit the heights six times in elite-level contests, finished off the radar when last of 10 in 2023's renewal and will bid to become O'Brien's fifth winner of the 12-furlong contest. “We have been very happy with Auguste Rodin and the plan always was to come here after the [G1] Prince Of Wales's Stakes,” the trainer said. “In last year's King George, it was soft ground and we probably held him up too much. When Ryan [Moore] felt he was not going to win, he eased him out of it, and the run probably was not as bad as it looked. The plan for Auguste Rodin after Ascot is the [G1] Japan Cup, which will be very exciting, and he could have a run somewhere in between. Luxembourg won the [G1] Coronation Cup over a mile-and-a-half, which we thought would suit him. He is in very good form as well.”
Six Group 1 winners are in the line-up and the field also includes Godolphin's globetrotting Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), recent G1 Pretty Polly Stakes heroine Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}) and William Haggas trainee Dubai Honour (GB) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}). Last month's G1 Irish Derby runner-up Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) is the lone 3-year-old representative. The field is completed by Middle Earth (GB) (Roaring Lion) and French raider Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}).
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