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.

Advertisement

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

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...
Pride of Jenni to Visit I Am Invincible - Match Made in Heaven
Three-time Champion Sire I Am Invincible has been confirmed as the first mating for reigning Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year Pride Of Jenni, who will head to the breeding barn this season following a phenomenal racing career.
Almanzor Colt Wins G2 Italian Derby
Wootton Bassett sired the winner of the Group I Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) on Sunday in Camille Pissarro and then overnight his champion Cambridge Stud based son Almanzor (Fr) produced the winner of the Group II Derby Italiano (2200m).
G3 Fred Best Showdown for Quality Colts – Rosemont vs Yulong
The rescheduled $300,000 Group III BRC Fred Best Classic (1350m) brings stakes racing to a Wednesday this week with a field of 17 to go around at Doomben and at the head of the market is a pair of quality colts.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 3
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 2
Here is the full list of 40 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Impressive First Winner for St Marks Basilica
Coolmore shuttler St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) was the 2021 European Horse of the Year and the son of Siyouni is on the board as a sire with his first winner after Rogue Supremacy scored an impressive debut victory.
One to Watch – Echuca
Twin Hills Stud’s Peltzer had an impressive winner at Echuca on Tuesday for his breeder Olly Tait.
In-Demand Stallions Feature in NZB Weanling Sale Catalogue
The catalogue for the 2025 NZB National Weanling Sale features the progeny of a broad range of sires, from proven topliners to exciting up-and-comers as well as the brand-new kid on the block, Profondo.
Pencarrow Stud hits a hundred winners in stellar season
Pencarrow Stud has celebrated an outstanding achievement with a century of homebred winners for the season.
$1500 Weanling Becomes $525,000 Top Lot at MM National Yearling Finale
A colt by Harry Angel set a new benchmark in Australia for his sire and topped the final day of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale when selling for $525,000 to conclude a hugely successful two weeks of sales.