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"Special" Auguste Rodin ready for King George redemption

jon-vine
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Last updated: 19 Jul 2024
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Jon Vine 19 Jul 2024
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  • Auguste Rodin will return to Ascot for another crack at the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes
  • Aidan O'Brien's star finished last in the race 12 months ago
  • Read key quotes from Aidan O'Brien on our website
auguste rodin stakes
Auguste Rodin at Doncaster. (Getty)

Auguste Rodin will return to Ascot next weekend, looking to make amends for his disappointing performance in the 2023 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Aidan O'Brien's star went into last year's King George as the short-priced favourite, having completed the Epsom and Irish Derby double earlier in the summer. Ryan Moore's mount broke out of the gates smartly enough, but the favourite came under pressure before the field turned for home and as Hukum and Westover went on to right out the finish, Auguste Rodin was being eased down.

Moore's mount bounced back with victories in the Irish Champion Stakes and the Breeders' Cup Turf. Two defeats followed in the Sheema Classic and the Tattersalls Gold Cup, but Auguste Rodin was last seen collecting the fifth Group One of his glittering career in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Coral-Eclipse came under consideration following that 10-furlong victory. However, speaking to the press this week, Aidan O'Brien said that a return to the King George was always the team's prefference.

"Auguste Rodin would have been in the mix for the Eclipse but it looks the right fit to go back to Ascot for King George with him." O'Brien said, "The lads obviously felt it was the right call for City Of Troy to go to the Eclipse."

"Auguste Rodin could be a Japan Cup horse. He has won at the Breeders' Cup already and maybe the lads might decide to go back."

"Luxembourg could go to the King George with Auguste Rodin. That's what we're thinking at the moment."

Despite his flop in last year's edition of this great race, O'Brien hasn't lost any faith in his superstar, claiming he's always been "special" from the moment he arrived at Ballydoyle.

O'Brien said, "Before he came here, he was considered very special from Coolmore. Through all of his checks and samples, he was always very highly rated. I remember when Ryan (Moore) rode him in February as a two-year-old, he said that this is a very special horse, so he ticked all the boxes all the way."

Group One winners Rebel's Romance and Bluestocking will likely be Auguste Rodin's chief competition at Ascot. Dubai Honour, Sunway and Emily Upjohn are also likely runners. The full betting for the 2024 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes can be found here on our website.

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