Princess of Wales Stakes 2026 winner Rebel’s Romance added another major success to his remarkable career on the opening day of the Debenhams July Festival at Newmarket.
The eight-year-old landed the £165,000 Group Two Princess of Wales’s Stakes, sponsored by the Kingdom of Bahrain, recording his 22nd victory from 32 career starts. Sent off as the 8-11 favourite, the Charlie Appleby-trained gelding defeated stablemate Arabian Crown by half a length in the mile-and-a-half feature.
Rebel’s Romance has now won nine races at Group or Grade One level, with major victories in Germany, the United States, Dubai and Hong Kong. His career earnings have also moved beyond £12 million, underlining his status as one of Godolphin’s most accomplished international campaigners.
The race marked his first appearance at Newmarket since June 2022, when he secured his first victory on turf in the Listed Fred Archer Stakes. That performance proved an important turning point in a career that has since taken him to some of the world’s leading racecourses.
William Buick settled Rebel’s Romance behind the 18-1 chance Arabian Crown during the early stages. The favourite moved to the front entering the final furlong, but Arabian Crown responded and mounted another challenge close to the finish.
Rebel’s Romance maintained his advantage under pressure, holding his stablemate by half a length to secure another Group Two success.
Princess of Wales Stakes 2026 Result
Appleby said Newmarket had been selected as the horse’s main summer target after the team decided against taking him to Royal Ascot. The trainer explained that Rebel’s Romance had been progressing steadily at home and continued to display the enthusiasm that has defined his career. He also credited Will, Mark Halford and the wider team responsible for preparing the veteran performer.
“He showed all the signs that he still wants it,” Appleby said. “I do not think anyone could question him after what he produced today.”
Appleby also praised the staff at the original Moulton Paddocks yard, where Rebel’s Romance is based. He described the gelding as a much-loved member of the stable and said the team understood his routine and personality particularly well.
Despite being eight years old, Rebel’s Romance continues to show a strong appetite for training and racing. Appleby said the horse becomes unsettled if his normal exercise schedule is altered, which remains an important indication that he still wants to compete.
“He will tell us when he does not want to do it anymore,” the trainer said. “He may not be quite as good as he once was, but he is still doing what he enjoys.”
No immediate target has been confirmed for Rebel’s Romance. Appleby said future plans would be decided race by race, with the horse’s condition and enthusiasm after the Newmarket contest guiding the next move.
The trainer added that there would be no attempt to commit the gelding to a fixed programme at this stage of his career. Buick was equally appreciative of the winner, describing Rebel’s Romance as a special horse whose resilience and determination had remained intact over several seasons.
“He is amazing,” Buick said. “His will to win and his resilience are remarkable. To have a horse like him as part of my career is very special.”
The jockey also said racing followers deserved the opportunity to see Rebel’s Romance compete at Newmarket, particularly as the gelding enters the later stages of his career.
The Princess of Wales Stakes 2026 victory took Rebel’s Romance to 22 wins from 32 starts and added another notable chapter to a career built around consistency, durability and international success.
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