French star Lazzat broke Japanese hearts as he downed Satono Reve in a pulsating international finish to the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1,200m) at Royal Ascot on Saturday.

The Jerome Reynier-trained four-year-old enjoyed a fast break and landed in the lead early under Wathnan’s top jockey, James Doyle. From there, the writing was firmly on the wall, with the Territories gelding being a top-level winner over the 1,800m distance.

The pair kept on galloping relentlessly and although Satono Reve – who has chased home Ka Ying Rising twice this year – loomed up with menace, the Japanese star was never quite getting there.

It was ultimately a cosy success for the now two-time Group One winner, with Reynier never worried about his star being caught.

“The Japanese [horse] made a late challenge and it was pretty tough, but James knew that he was never going to get beaten. He had plenty in his hands and he was very confident he was going to be able to bring him to the post,” said Reynier.

“He had a really good feeling on him today over this six-furlong straight. He’s unbeaten over straight courses, so now we can stick him to this kind of competition and there’s a nice European programme for him.”

The win completed a double on the day for jockey Doyle, who won the opening Listed Chesham Stakes (1,800m) on the Andrew Balding-trained Humidity – again for Wathnan.

Elsewhere on the card, last year’s Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) winner Rebel’s Romance added another notch to his belt with a dominant win in the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes (2,400m).

The $2.1 favourite always travelled well just in front of midfield and as the field turned for home, William Buick made his move and the pair powered into the lead – one that proved to be unassailable.

The global superstar has won in England, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, the United States and Hong Kong, but this victory was made even sweeter as it snapped a three-year losing sequence for Charlie Appleby at the Royal meeting.

“What more can I say about him? If I’ve got to talk about Rebel’s Romance to people, they don’t follow racing. Everyone knows him and loves him,” said Appleby.

“He’s more than our iron horse, he’s our stable favourite and he always will be. It’s been a tough week but it’s a week you’ve got to enjoy because I know how hard it is to get horses here. To win with them is just a bonus.

“I was taught early on in my career to make sure you applaud every winner here because they are richly deserved by whoever owns, trains or rides. It’s the equine Olympics.”