Rebel’s Romance unleashed a furious late rally down the center of the turf course on his way to winning the G1 Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf by three lengths at Keeneland on Saturday, 5 November.
The Breeders’ Cup Turf was the third straight G1 victory for the four-year-old son of Dubawi. He had previously captured the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin and G1 Preis von Europa. Rebel’s Romance, a Godolphin homebred, became the third Breeders’ Cup winner of the weekend for both his owner and his trainer, Charlie Appleby.
Patiently ridden by James Doyle, Rebel’s Romance raced in midfield through the early stages of the 12-furlong contest. Swinging wide in the final turn, Rebel’s Romance found himself in the clear but stuck racing five-or-six-wide as the field entered the home straight. Under a rousing ride by jockey Doyle, Rebel’s Romance uncorked a furious rally to take command and pull away to win easily by three lengths.
Rebel’s Romance is out of the Stakes-placed mare Minidress (Street Cry), herself a half-sister to G3-winner Volcanic Sky. She is the dam of three winners and is the daughter of G1 Oaks-placed mare Short Skirt.
Rebel’s Romance was the second Breeders’ Cup winner of the afternoon for Dubawi, joining G1 BC Mile winner, Modern Games. The amazing stallion has sired 43 Stakes winners this season, with seven having won at the highest level including Naval Crown (G1 Platinum Jubilee Stakes), Guineas winner Coroebus and St Leger hero Eldar Eldarov.
