Dubawi's Rebel's Romance Sparkles in Sheema Classic

Mark Smith - Sunday March 31

A few jockeys will reflect on their rides in the US$6,000,000 Group 1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan, but Godolphin's 6-year-old Dubawi gelding, Rebel's Romance, was undoubtedly a worthy winner.

A record fifth Sheema Classic for William Buick (image Grant Courtney)

The Charlie Appleby trained gelding honoured William Buick with a record fifth win in the race.

Travelling on the speed set by Point Lonsdale, Rebel's Romance set up a winning lead at the 300m and was strong to the line in defeating the Japanese Derby winner and 2002 Sheema classic winner Shahryar (Deep Impact) by two lengths.

Advertisement

The Japanese Triple Tiara winner Liberty Island (Duramente) got a mile back and closed off for third after making a long run. The daughter of Yankee Rose was making her first start since finishing second to the champion Equinox in the Japan Cup last November.

Rebel's Romance, a winner of the UAE Derby in 2021, closed out 2022 with five consecutive wins, culminating in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland.

He disappointed in this race last year behind Equinox but looks back to his brilliant best

"He showed in Qatar what a versatile horse he is," Buick said.

"His best form has usually been when he's held up but in Qatar I tried something new. I was keen today to adopt a similar tactic and I got a lovely slipstream from the leader.

"He's a very good horse on his day and he showed that today. I'm absolutely delighted; he's a great horse and I'm so glad he's back to his best.

"You know His Highness wants to see the best horses come to Dubai and the best horses are here. These races are incredibly hard to win so of course I'm incredibly happy.

"It's great for the team, great for everybody. It's great to be here and it's great to ride a winner. It's an amazing training performance and a great job by the whole team. I'm in the fortunate position to be able to ride these horses."

Japan was hoping for a third consecutive win in the feature but had to settle for second, third and fourth.

Shahryar (2nd), jockey Cristian Demuro said: "He ran a perfect race. He travelled well and was always in good position. He was just beaten by the best horse on the day. The pace was okay, it gave my horse a chance to relax behind the winner."

Liberty Island (3rd), trainer Mitsu Nakauchida said: "She was in perfect condition. I thought she sat in a good place, however, maybe the ground at Meydan didn't suit her. She couldn't show her turn of foot compared to what she does in Japan. I wanted to get a good result but couldn't. I feel sorry for her connections and fans."

Justin Palace (4th), jockey Joao Moreira said: "Very good run. He was a bit aggressive, even though the pace was genuine enough for him to get into his comfort zone. Finished off not too bad, very close to second and third, so I'm very proud of his performance."

The winner of twelve of his 18 starts, Rebel's Romance is a half-brother to the Group 1 Jebel Hatta Stakes winner Measured Time (Frankel) and the stakes-placed Petticoat (Cape Cross) out of the stakes-placed Minidress (Street Cry). 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Magic Carpet Writes New Chapter for Family
Jenna McLeod got a massive thrill when watching the latest generation of her family’s breed score at stakes level at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Tara Talks Racing - Insights from a Legend - Darren Beadman
Beiwacht upstaged his more fancied rivals to win the $1million Group I ATC Golden Rose last Saturday in course record breaking style to become the hottest colt in Australia giving us the opportunity to chat to a legend that has been very much involved in his story so far.
Resolute Racing Purchase Top Lot Goffs Orby Day 1
The Goffs Orby Yearling Sale kicked off overnight and the top lot on Day 1 was a colt by Blue Point purchased by John Stewart’s Resolute Bloodstock for €675,000, while Wootton Bassett produced the top selling filly, whose half-brother Trinity College is now in Australia.
Satono’s Stunning Stats Continue as Rich Hill Sires Shine
Rich Hill Stud’s Group 1 stallion roster was the dominant force at Te Rapa’s premier meeting with their progeny claiming a feature race double.
Evaporate Caps Off Great Week for Per Incanto
Evaporate crowned a stellar period for his sire across the Tasman when he produced a gallant performance to land the thick end of the stake in Saturday’s Gr.3 Sandown Stakes (1500m).
Sires With Winners - Monday September 29
Here is the full list of 22 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Kiwi Stayer Chasing Melbourne Cup Golden Ticket
Wolfgang, who races as Mister Wolfgang in Australia, will get his first opportunity to earn a golden ticket into the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) when he heads to Flemington on Saturday.
Petrol in the Tank – Why Buying Mares from Godolphin is a Good Idea
From the point of view of the bloodstock world, Beiwacht was the most significant winner from last weekend with his Group I Golden Rose victory propelling his sire Bivouac to the top of the second season sires list, but it wasn’t just Godolphin cheering him home with a number of other Aussie breeders now invested in his family.
Pedigree Potential –NZB Ready to Run – Nicks that Click
A quality packed catalogue for the 2025 NZB Ready to Run Sale is now online and in the lead up to the sale we’ll go looking each week for some horses of interest that jump out on pedigree for various reasons.
Jenni The Pride of Trelawney
Comeback mare Pride Of Jenni has given Trelawney Stud a number of reasons to look forward to the spring after a dashing victory in the Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) on Friday night.