King Of The World - Rebel’s Romance Claims a Second Breeders' Cup Turf

Mark Smith - Sunday November 3

Godolphin’s globetrotting champion Rebel’s Romance has conquered the world in 2024, topping it off with a second Breeders’ Cup Turf when defying the strong Japanese challenge of Rousham Park and Shahryar in the US$5,000,000 feature at Del Mar.

Caught wide in the early running, William Buick pressed on to sit outside of the leader Cabo Spirit.

Advertisement

Taking control before the home turn, the son of Dubawi looked set for a dominant win before Christophe Lemaire emerged from the pack on the least fancied of the Japanese raiders, Rousham Park.

The 5-year-old son of Harbinger closed to within a neck with one and a half lengths back to the Deep Impact 6-year-old Shahryar in third.

The winner of the race two years ago at Keeneland, Rebel’s Romance has enjoyed another hugely successful year.

He has won the The Amir Trophy at Doha, Sheema Classic at Meydan, Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup at Sha Tin and the Preis von Europa at Cologne. His only defeat came when third to Goliath and Bluestocking in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot.

An eleventh Breeders' Cup winner for Charlie Appleby, Rebel's Romance advances his record to 15 wins and a third from 22 starts.

Rebel's Romance (image Grant Courtney)

"He's an incredible horse," Buick told Racing Post.

"He's such a joy to ride and a beautiful horse who has been expertly managed by Charlie Appleby and the team. He's an international superstar.

"We agreed to give him a positive ride but we managed to get a breather in. He kicked from the turn and when the competition came, he went again."

Gelded before his first start, Rebel's Romance is a half-brother to the Group 1 Jebel Hatta Stakes and Grade 1 Manhattan Stakes winner Measured Time (Frankel) and the stakes-placed Petticoat (Cape Cross) out of the stakes-placed Minidress (Street Cry).

Advertisment
More Reading...
Dunnell Enjoys Cup Day Success as Breeder
Well-known racing photographer Trish Dunell had a day to remember on Tuesday, recording success as a breeder on racing’s biggest stage at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
Aga Khan Studs Set Fees for 2025
Sea the Stars has had four stakes-winners in Australia this season and has had a fee increase at Aga Khan Studs for 2025.
Sire Table Snapshot – Halfway Through Flemington Carnival
The Flemington Carnival has two more days to run with the $1million Group I VRC Oaks today and then three more G1 races on Saturday all worth $3million, so how does the Australian General Sires List look at the halfway point of this time honoured carnival.
Impressive HK Winner for Wrote
Chill Chibi was an impressive winner of the Class 2 Final at Happy Valley in Hong Kong on Wednesday. Sent out favourite, he duly obliged for trainer Danny Shum and Jockey Zac Purton. 
$220,000 for Oscar Award Tops Inglis Digital November (Early) Online Sale
Oscar Award, the dam of G1 sprinter and Inglis Digital graduate Oscar’s Fortune has topped the Inglis Digital November (Early) Online Sale, with the daughter of Sebring purchased by Allam Racing in partnership with Kestrel Thoroughbreds for $220,000.
Running By Triumphs in Inglis Bracelet
Another valuable prize for the Ciaron Maher stable as Running By justified her favouritism in the $350,000 Inglis Bracelet (1600m) at Flemington.
Gavelhouse Bargain Buy Ready for Stakes Class
An online purchase over COVID-19 lockdown is proving fruitful for a group of Otago mates.
Late Bloomer Way To The Stars Claims the Century Stakes
Way To The Stars ran up to his third behind I Am Me and Bella Nipotina in the Group III Concorde Stakes at Randwick when opening his stakes account in the Listed Racing And Sports Century Stakes (1000m) down the straight at Flemington on Crown Oaks Day.
Kiwi Family Leaving Lasting Legacy
Hi Yo Legacy is the latest success story for Kim Reid out of her family’s late broodmare Hi Yo Wassup, with the five-year-old producing an impressive victory on debut at New Plymouth on Wednesday.
Progressive Mare heads Kiwi-bred trifecta on Oaks Day
New Zealand-breds finished first, second and third in the A$150,000 Good Friday Appeal Trophy (2000m) on the Crown Oaks undercard at Flemington on Thursday, headed by a lightly raced mare whose star is on the rise.