Rebel's Romance holds to win his 2nd Breeders’ Cup Turf

Del Mar, Calif.

Rebel's Romance has been around the Charlie Appleby so long, the well-decorated trainer likened the seven-time Group and Grade 1 winner to the barn furniture.

But this furniture holds secrets, and Appleby was more than happy to tell jockey William Buick how to spring the trap door to win the Breeders' Cup Turf on Saturday at Del Mar.

The surprise came in the form of an early move from the 19-10 favorite, ranging up to within a length of pacesetter Cabo Spirit through a half-mile in 48.77 seconds. When Rebel’s Romance had won the 2022 Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland, he did so with a sustained late run from tenth place.

“Knowing just when to make that move in the first quarter of the race, really sparked Rebel’s Romance’s competitiveness,” Appleby said. “Then (Rebel’s Romance) relaxed into that lovely stride.

“When William clearly had so much horse to make that second move on the turn, I was confident we were going to get the job done.”

And get the job done he did, holding off a late-closing Rousham Park by a neck in 2:26.07 for 1 1/2 miles on turf rated as firm. That margin does not do justice to the dominating nature of Rebel’s Romance's performance, as the other horses near the lead with him early finished 12th and ninth of 13.

“He got in that lovely rhythm, he was traveling so powerfully and well within himself,” Buick said. “Even when he got a little competition late, he still managed to find more.

“He’s an amazing horse; he just seems to always find a way, which is the sign of a very good horse.”

Rebel’s Romance has won 15 of 22 starts and has earned $11.7 million lifetime. Appleby trains the six-year-old Dubawi gelding for breeder Godolphin.

Rebel’s Romance has won on all three surfaces and on three different continents, including his seven Grade or Group 1 wins six different racetracks.

For him to win in Europe, Asia, Dubai, and (America) at the highest level is what (Godolphin) is all about,” Godolphin chief operating officer Hugh Anderson said. “Rebel’s Romance is a flagbearer for us, and long may it continue.”

And with Rebel’s Romance a gelding, there’s every reason to think that it can continue into a seven-year-old season. Rebel’s Romance joins High Chaparrel and Conduit as two-time winners of the Turf and first to do so in non successive years. A repeat engagement next year at Del Mar could make him the second three-time winner of a Breeders’ Cup race: Goldikova won the Breeders' Cup Mile in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

“For this fellow, he owes us nothing,” Appleby said. “We’d like to take him back to Dubai and look at the Sheema Classic, a race that he has won and is close to our heart. To have a horse like him turning up-he is an international star who draws attention and rightfully so.”