Rebel’s Romance Earns a Second Eclipse In Three Years as Champion Turf Male

[Wandering Eyes]

Despite having made just the one start on American soil in 2024, Godolphin's Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) was given the nod for the second time in three years as champion turf male off his victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar. Starting his year off last February in Doha, he secured his first seasonal victory in the G3 H. H. The Amir Trophy and parlayed that effort into a fabulous victory in the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic. From there it was another plane trip to Sha Tin in late May for the G1 Standard Chartered HK Champions & Chater Cup, a fruitful trip as he again took home top prize, but could managed only third July 27 in the prestigious G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes as fellow frequent flier G1SW-Eng Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) dominated with eventual G1 Arc de Triumph victress 'TDN Rising Star' Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}) in game pursuit of that one ahead of him. After a quick stopover in Germany to take home the G1 Mehl-Mulhens-Stiftung – 62nd Preis von Europa, he set his sights on Del Mar for a title defense in the World Championships. Never far from the early pace, he roared into the lead off the far bend and would not be denied by Japanese contenders Rousham Park (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) and Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) as they tried valiantly, but ultimately in vain, to catch him in a blanket photo finish. The handsome dark bay won the 2022 Turf at Keeneland and took home the Eclipse Award on that occasion as well. “He's 6-years-old and still campaigning at the level he is and taking us all on journeys around the world,” Appleby told DRF after the Breeders' Cup victory. “Everybody loves him, needless to say. He's also built up this global fan base. You see it all around the world.” The legendary Dubawi is now the sire of 10 champions worldwide.

The post Rebel’s Romance Earns a Second Eclipse In Three Years as Champion Turf Male appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article