Rebel’s Romance wins in Germany, is on to North America

Rebel’s Romance, who won the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Turf, picked up the eighth top-level victory of his career Sunday when he won the Group 1, US$180,582 Grosser Preis von Berlin.

Now 4-for-4 in Germany, Rebel’s Romance is expected to make an early return to North America for a Grade 1, $750,000 date Sept. 17 at Woodbine.

“He’ll be heading to Canada for the Canadian International most likely,” trainer Charlie Appleby said. “Obviously on the back of those horses running last night in the Sword Dancer (G1) as well. By the time everyone gets back, we’ll just let the dust settle and form a plan.”

Appleby was referring to first-place El Cordobés and third-place Nations Pride, Godolphin stablemates who hit the board Saturday at Saratoga. He also said Rebel’s Romance is “very much working back from the Breeders’ Cup again.”

Sunday marked the second time Rebel’s Romance won the race at Hoppegarten. He also finished first in 2022. This time he did it with jockey Billy Loughnane, 19, who picked up his first Group 1 win playing the role of understudy while William Buick was in France.

A 7-year-old Dubawi gelding who is a Godolphin homebred, Rebel’s Romance (1-5) stayed in touch with early pacesetter Junko (5-1). He took the lead inside the last quarter-mile and won their ensuing duel by three-quarters of a length. Cold Heart (13-1) chased his way to finish third in the field of six horses, ages 3 and up.

The winning time on good turf was 2:27.81 without a run-up going 2,400 meters, 15 yards less than 1 1/2 miles.

Rebel’s Romance ran his record to 28: 19-0-2 with earnings of $14,151,447.