Horse Profile: Rebel’s Romance

Breeders' Cup Turf Scouting Report

(Editor's note: Originally published in the 2024 BRISnet Breeders' Cup International Report) 

Godolphin’s 2022 Turf hero has regrouped from a star-crossed 2023 and arrives with strong claims to regain his crown. If the Charlie Appleby globetrotter succeeds, he’d join High Chaparral (2002-03) and Conduit (2008-09) as two-time winners – but the first to do so in non-consecutive years.

Rebel’s Romance has come back from the brink before. Once a dirt celebrity at Meydan, the 2021 UAE Derby (G2) victor skipped the Kentucky Derby (G1) with designs on the Belmont (G1), only to miss the “Test of the Champion” due to a hind leg infection. But he totally lost form when resurfacing at the following year’s Dubai Carnival.

Although his pedigree was dirt-friendly, it was just as well-crafted for turf, so Appleby opted to switch surfaces in hopes of resuscitating his career. By Dubawi and out of a Street Cry mare who’s a full sister to Group 3-winning stayer Volcanic Sky, Rebel’s Romance thus reinvented himself as a turf operator in the summer of 2022. He was unbeaten in his first five turf starts, a streak culminating in the Turf in a Keeneland course-record 2:26.35.

But his 2023 campaign got off to an inauspicious start. Withdrawn from his intended prep, the Dubai City of Gold (G2), due to a setback, Rebel’s Romance nevertheless advanced to the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) on World Cup night. He couldn’t get anywhere near Japanese phenom Equinox, winding up seventh.

Worse was to come when Rebel’s Romance turned up four months later for the Bowling Green (G2) at Saratoga. Traveling powerfully in traffic, he clipped heels on the final turn and sent jockey Richard Mullen crashing into the ground in a frightful spill. Rebel’s Romance regained his feet and galloped riderless.

Connections initially hoped to wheel back for the Arlington Million (G1), but Rebel’s Romance ended up returning to Appleby’s Newmarket base. He didn’t make it back to the races until that fall’s Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1), where he checked in fourth on yielding ground that blunted his kick. Rebel’s Romance was slated for a European return in the Grosser Preis von Bayern (G1), only to scratch. 

His fortunes finally took a turn for the better in last December’s Wild Flower S. over Kempton’s Polytrack. Getting a much-needed confidence booster, Rebel’s Romance pounced between foes to win comfortably. That was just the kickoff to a four-race winning spree.

Back in the Mideast to open 2024, Rebel’s Romance outclassed them in Qatar’s lucrative H H The Amir Trophy on Feb. 17. He was initially stacked out wide from post 10 when trying to angle over into a stalking spot. Since no one was particularly interested in going forward, regular rider William Buick sent him to the front. Once he bagged the rail and settled into his long, loping stride, it was all over. Rebel’s Romance pulled clear to a three-length tally over Japan’s Zeffiro, who might have gone a bit closer if not veering in the lane, followed by fellow Japanese shippers Satono Glanz and North Bridge. 

His tactical speed was decisive again in the March 30 renewal of the Dubai Sheema Classic. Perched in second monitoring the Ballydoyle pacemaker, Rebel’s Romance parlayed that superior position into a commanding victory. He kicked on far too well for the Japanese trio of Shahryar, Liberty Island, and Justin Palace and British mare Emily Upjohn, the respective second through fifth. Liberty Island is especially noteworthy, considering that she was coming off a second to the all-conquering Equinox in the Japan Cup (G1). Less informative was the non-effort of favorite Auguste Rodin, who trailed home as though he were sightseeing. 

Rebel’s Romance took his world tour to a new venue, Hong Kong, for the May 26 Champions & Chater Cup (G1). By far the class of the field at Sha Tin, the long odds-on favorite enjoyed a similar stalking trip and got the job done in perfunctory fashion.

After collecting so many trophies abroad, Rebel’s Romance at last was given a Group 1 opportunity at home in the July 27 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth (G1) at Ascot. His third-place effort to Goliath and Bluestocking (the eventual Arc winner) can be upgraded in light of the pace scenario. 

This time, his handy running style worked against him, as he got caught up in the miscue of the Ballydoyle pacemaker. Instead of ensuring an even pace, the leader went too fast in the middle stages. That compromised Ballydoyle favorite Auguste Rodin and stablemate Luxembourg while setting it up for Goliath and Bluestocking to swoop from off the pace. Rebel’s Romance stayed on best of anyone in the midst of that tactical tangle, actually striking the front in the stretch before the fresh-legged closers arrived. 

Rebel’s Romance rebounded back in Germany last time out, using the same race – the Sept. 22 Preis von Europa (G1) – that propelled him to the Breeders’ Cup two years ago. The odds-on favorite settled about midpack in the compact group, took over in the stretch, and had an unexpected fight on his hands when Straight quickened smartly to challenge. Rebel’s Romance held him off by a neck in 2:25.91, a stakes-record time. 

Appleby said afterward that he’d gone easy on Rebel’s Romance after the King George, so he wasn’t fully cranked for the Europa. The Turf was always the main aim, and the $9 million-earner figures to pad his bankroll at Del Mar. Presuming that he’ll bring his A game, Rebel’s Romance is a formidable stalk-and-pounce win candidate.