The thundering hooves of Rebel’s Romance are set to echo across British soil once again as the Godolphin globetrotter returns to tackle five brave competitors in the esteemed Yorkshire Cup. The seven-time Group 1 winner, with an impressive haul exceeding £10 million in prize money, is poised to stretch his legs over 14 furlongs for the first time in Friday’s race at York.
This Dubawi gelding isn’t just a pretty picture – he’s a powerhouse, conceding weight to the rest of the field, including the determined Sweet William, famous for clinching last season’s Doncaster Cup and consistently performing within the top three.
Meanwhile, Continuous is on a quest for redemption, eager to replicate the glory of his 2023 St Leger victory. Despite a daunting fifth place in that year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, this Ballydoyle challenger aims to reverse fortunes against a field featuring the likes of Epic Poet, following their showdown in both the Red Sea Turf Handicap and Dubai Gold Cup.
Adding to the competitive mix, Alsakib enters the fray, carrying past C&D winning credentials into this season’s debut performance. As the excitement builds, racing aficionados will want to keep a keen eye on the odds, while Timeform offers a snapshot of the runners and shrewd betting tips.
Yorkshire Cup 2025 Outlook
According to Timeform, despite not being at his peak in the Sheema Classic last month, Rebel’s Romance retains the edge and is the one to beat on this rare venture back to Britain. Epic Poet comes in a close second, having honed his skills in Dubai, and is primed to challenge both Rebel’s Romance and Sweet William.
The action is hot and the odds are hotter, evolving as we edge closer to race day, but here’s a peek at what the competition looks like as per the latest declarations.
Yorkshire Cup 2025 Horses in Contention
Rebel’s Romance
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: William Buick
Age: 7
Weight: 9st 8lbs
Draw: 2
Profile: A high-class gelding with seven Group/Grade 1 victories to his name, Rebel wasn’t in top form in Dubai’s Sheema Classic but looks poised to handle this 1¾m distance with resolve.
Sweet William
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Jockey: Robert Havlin
Age: 6
Weight: 9st 6lbs
Draw: 4
Profile: A tenacious stayer with wins at both Sagaro and Doncaster Cup last season, Sweet William remains steadfast and reliable, having finished second in the 2023 Ebor over C&D.
Alsakib
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: P. J. McDonald
Age: 5
Weight: 9st 3lbs
Draw: 1
Profile: Last summer’s C&D Group 3 victor, Alsakib now faces fiercer competition and may find himself at a disadvantage upon return.
Continuous
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Age: 5
Weight: 9st 3lbs
Draw: 3
Profile: Once a St Leger luminary, Continuous has struggled to maintain form. He seeks resurgence with first-time blinkers potentially stirring his latent prowess.
Epic Poet
Trainer: David O’Meara
Jockey: Daniel Tudhope
Age: 6
Weight: 9st 3lbs
Draw: 5
Profile: Grappled with last year’s Ebor over C&D and emerges from a commendable spell in the Middle East with a strong January win at Meydan, looking poised to perform with vigor.
Yorkshire Cup fans are surely in for an exciting showdown as these remarkable equine athletes go neck and neck. For those eager to dig deeper into race details, directions to the current odds and racing insights await keen eyes.
