Rebel's Romance

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Rebel's Romance
SireDubawi (IRE)
GrandsireDubai Millennium (GB)
DamMinidress (GB)
DamsireStreet Cry (IRE)
SexGelding
Foaled19 March 2018[1]
CountryIreland
ColorDark bay or Brown
BreederGodolphin
OwnerGodolphin Racing
TrainerCharlie Appleby
Record18 :12 - 0 - 0
EarningsUS$7,965,232[2]
Major wins
UAE Derby (2021)
Glorious Stakes (2022)
Grosser Preis von Berlin (2022)
Preis von Europa (2022)
Breeders' Cup Turf (2022)
Wild Flower Stakes (2023)
H H Amir Trophy (QAT) (2024)
Dubai Sheema Classic (2024)
Last updated on 31 March 2024

Rebel's Romance (foaled March 19, 2018) is an Irish-bred multiple Group/Grade I turf winning Thoroughbred racehorse. As a three-year-old in 2022 he won the UAE Derby on the dirt in Dubai. His major wins in 2022 include the Grosser Preis von Berlin and Preis von Europa in Germany and the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland where he set a new track record.


Background[edit]

Rebel's Romance is a dark bay or brown gelding who was bred and owned by Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin organisation. He was sent into training with Charlie Appleby, whose stable is based at Newmarket, Suffolk, but typically relocates to Dubai in winter.

He was sired by Dubawi a top-class son of Dubai Millennium, whose wins included the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the Prix Jacques Le Marois. At stud, Dubawi has been a highly successful breeding stallion, siring major winners such as Monterosso, Al Kazeem, Makfi, Lucky Nine and Night of Thunder.[3]

Rebel's Romance's dam Minidress is a full-sister to Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy winner Volcanic Sky (GB), with both being produced by Group 3 Musidora Stakes - and G1 Epsom Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks placegetter Short Skirt (GB) (Diktat (GB). Rebel Romance's third dam is the excellent producer Much Too Risky (GB) (Bustino (GB), who has four stakes winners to her credit headed by G2 Prix de Pomone winner Whitewater Affair (GB) (Machiavellian), herself the dam of the multiple Group 1-winning Dubai World Cup winner Victoire Pisa (JPN) (Neo Universe (JPN) and G1 Yasuda Kinen winner Asakusa De'nen (GB) (Singspiel (IRE)). Short Skirt's three-parts brother Little Rock (GB) (Warning (GB) won the G2 Princess of Wales's Stakes, while Much Too Risky is kin to G1 Irish St. Leger hero Arctic Owl (GB) (Most Welcome (GB) and G1 Sydney Cup winner Marooned (GB). Minidress has the two-year-old colt Measured Time (GB) (Frankel (GB)) (2020) and a yearling filly by Golden Horn (GB) (2021) to come.[4]

Racing career[edit]

2020: Two-year-old season[edit]

Rebel's Romance began his career at Newcastle Racecourse in a Novice Stakes event on the polytrack surface winning the race by a length as the 9/2 third choice in a field of nine runners.[5] He followed up with a four-length victory at Kempton Park Racecourse as the 11/10 favorite.[6] His management then shipped the horse to the Middle East to continue his campaign rather than turn him out for a spell over winter.

2021: Three-year-old season[edit]

Rebel's Romance opened his three-year-old campaign in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial over 1600 metres at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. Settling in mid-division after the start, he made progress with a quarter-mile out, leading with one furlong to run to win by a head over the US-bred Mouheeb.[7]

On February 20, in the Al Rajhi Bank Saudi Derby in Saudi Arabia, Rebel's Romance finished fourth to the Japanese-bred Pink Kamehameha.[8] Charlie Appleby was disappointed with the effort, commenting later, "We were expecting a better run than in Saudi."[9]

In his next assignment, Rebel's Romance was entered in the UAE Derby, a major event in the Road to the Kentucky Derby. After starting towards the rear, jockey William Buick pushed him after being outpaced after one furlong. He moved into second place over a furlong out, then hit the front and was clear in the final 100 yards, drawing away to a 5+1⁄2-length victory.[10] Although Rebel's Romance earned 100 points for the victory, which would ensure a spot in the Kentucky Derby, trainer Charlie Appleby wasn't committed for his plans.[9]

Although the horse was in fifth place in the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby standings trainer Appleby commented on social media, "Having spoken to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, we feel (Rebel's Romance) needs more time, and he will now be aimed at the last leg of the US Triple Crown, the G1 Belmont Stakes."[11] After arriving in the United States in May and after a couple of workouts in preparation for the Belmont Stakes, Rebel's Romance was found to have a hind leg infection and was withdrawn from consideration for the event.[12]

2022: Four-year-old season[edit]

On November 5, in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland in the US, Rebel's Romance started slowly. Jockey Doyle commented, "We ended up in a nice position" after the slow break. "I was keen to get him off the inside rail and get him out to the middle of the track. It was a little raw on the turns." He ran on strongly to win by 2+1⁄4 lengths from Irish-bred Stone Age and War Like Goddess in third. Rebel's Romance finished the 1+1⁄2 miles on firm turf in course-record time of 2:26.35.[13]

2023: Five-year-old season[edit]

The horse was initially scheduled to start the season with the Dubai City of Gold on March 1, but due to inflammation in his forearm, he was withdrawn.[14] On March 25, he was entered in the Dubai Sheema Classic, but his winning streak stopped at 5 as he was unable to catch up to the victor, Equinox.[15]

On July 30, at Saratoga, the horse clipped heals and fell in Bowling Green Stakes race as the heavy 11-20 favorite and was unhurt in the incident. Jockey Richard Mullen was taken to hospital after the fall.[16]

Rebel’s Romance finished fourth at the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes before being entered in the Grosser Preis von Bayern, only to be scratched.[17] The horse scored a victory in his final race of the season, the Wild Flower Stakes at Kempton held at December 13.

2024: six-year-old season[edit]

After his win in Qatar, he won the 2024 Dubai Sheema Classic.

Statistics[edit]

Date Distance Race Grade/
Group 		Track Odds Field Finish Winning
time 		Winning
(Losing)
margin 		Jockey Ref
2020 – two-year-old season
Oct 26, 2020 1 mile 5 yards Novice Stakes Newcastle 9/2 9 1 1:41.74 1 length William Buick [5]
Nov 18, 2020 1 mile Novice Stakes Kempton Park 11/10* 12 1 1:37.95 4 lengths William Buick [6]
2021 – three-year-old season
Jan 14, 2021 1600 metres[a] UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Meydan (UAE) N/A[b] 10 1 1:37.55 head William Buick [7]
Feb 20, 2021 1600 metres[c] Saudi Derby King Abdulaziz Racetrack N/A[d] 12 4 1:38.57 (5 lengths) William Buick [8]
Mar 27, 2021 1900 metres[e] UAE Derby II Meydan (UAE) N/A[f] 14 1 1:56.28 5+1⁄2 lengths William Buick [10]
2022 – four-year-old season
Jan 21, 2022 2000 metres[g] Aliyah By Azizi Meydan (UAE) N/A[h] 16 8 2:03.46 (24+3⁄4 lengths) William Buick [18]
Feb 11, 2022 2000 metres Curlin Stakes Listed Meydan (UAE) N/A[i] 13 11 2:08.12 (26+3⁄4 lengths) William Buick [19]
Jun 25, 2022 1+1⁄2 miles Fred Archer Stakes Listed Newmarket 9/4* 4 1 2:35.75 3+3⁄4 lengths William Buick [20]
Jul 29, 2022 1m 3f 218y Glorious Stakes[j] III Goodwood 4/5* 8 1 2:34.89 1 length William Buick [21]
Aug 14, 2022 2400 metres[k] Grosser Preis von Berlin I Hoppegarten (GER) Evens* 8 1 2:32.33 neck James Doyle [22]
Sep 25, 2022 2400 metres[l] Preis von Europa I Cologne (GER) 13/10* 7 1 2:30.97 3⁄4 length William Buick [23]
Nov 6, 2022 1+1⁄2 miles Breeders' Cup Turf I Keeneland 5.96 13 1 2:26.35[m] 2+1⁄4 lengths James Doyle [24]
2023 – five-year-old season
Mar 25, 2023 2410 metres[n] Dubai Sheema Classic I Meydan (UAE) N/A[o] 10 7 2:25.65 (11 lengths) William Buick [25]
Jul 30, 2023 1+3⁄8 miles Bowling Green Stakes II Saratoga 0.55* 9 fell 2:15.21 DNF Richard Mullen [26]
Oct 7, 2023 1+1⁄2 miles Joe Hirsch Turf Classic I Aqueduct 0.55* 8 4 2:32.86[p] (5+3⁄4 lengths) William Buick [27]
Dec 13, 2023 1m 3f 219y Wild Flower Stakes Listed Kempton Park 4/5* 8 1 1:37.95 1+1⁄4 lengths William Buick [28]
2024 – six-year-old season
Feb 17, 2024 2400 metres[q] H H The Amir Trophy III Doha (QAT) N/A[r] 11 1 2:38.84 3 lengths William Buick [29]
Mar 30, 2024 2410 metres[s] Dubai Sheema Classic I Meydan (UAE) N/A[t] 10 1 2:26.72 2 lengths William Buick [30]

Legend:
  Turf   Dirt   All--weather track
Notes:
An (*) asterisk after the odds means Rebel's Romance was the post-time favorite.

  1. ^ Distance for the event was approximately one mile
  2. ^ Rebel's Romance final odds in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial with British Bookmakers were 1/2 odds-on since gambling is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates
  3. ^ Distance for the event was approximately one mile
  4. ^ Rebel's Romance final odds in the Saudi Derby with British Bookmakers were 9/4 joint favorite since gambling is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates
  5. ^ Distance for the event was approximately 1+3⁄16 miles
  6. ^ Rebel's Romance final odds in the UAE Derby with British Bookmakers were 8/1 since gambling is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates
  7. ^ Distance for the event was approximately 1+1⁄4 miles
  8. ^ Rebel's Romance final odds in the Aliyah By Azizi with British Bookmakers were 8/11 odds-on since gambling is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates
  9. ^ Rebel's Romance final odds in the Curlin Stakes with British Bookmakers were 3/1 since gambling is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates
  10. ^ The registered Glorious Stakes was run as the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate Glorious Stakes due to sponsorship
  11. ^ Distance for the event was approximately one and a half miles
  12. ^ Distance for the event was approximately one and a half miles
  13. ^ Rebel's Romance set a new track record for the distance
  14. ^ Distance for the event was approximately 1+1⁄2 miles
  15. ^ Rebel's Romance final odds with British Bookmakers were 3/1 since gambling is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates
  16. ^ The winner War Like Goddess set a new track record for the distance on the outer turf track at Aqueduct
  17. ^ Distance for the event was approximately one and a half miles
  18. ^ Gambling is prohibited in Qatar
  19. ^ Distance for the event was approximately 1+1⁄2 miles
  20. ^ Rebel's Romance final odds with British Bookmakers were 3/1 since gambling is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates

Pedigree[edit]

Pedigree of Rebel's Romance (IRE), dark bay or brown gelding, March 19, 2018[1]
Sire
Dubawi (IRE)
(2002) 		Dubai Millennium (GB)
(1996) 		Seeking The Gold
(1985) 		Mr Prospector* (1970)
Con Game (1974)
Colorado Dancer (IRE)
(1986) 		Shareef Dancer (1980)
Fall Aspen (1976)
Zomaradah (GB)
(1995) 		Deploy (GB)
(1987) 		Shirley Heights (GB) (1975)
Slightly Dangerous (1979)
Jawaher (IRE)
(1989) 		Dancing Brave (1983)
High Tern (IRE) (1982)
Dam
Minidress (GB)
(2009) 		Street Cry (IRE)
(1998) 		Machiavellian
(1987) 		Mr Prospector* (1970)
Coup De Folie (1982)
Helen Street (GB)
(1982) 		Troy (GB) (1976)
Waterway (FR) (1976)
Short Skirt (GB)
(2003) 		Diktat (GB)
(1995) 		Warning (GB) (1985)
Arvolo (GB) (1990)
Much Too Risky (GB)
(1982) 		Bustino (GB) (1971)
Short Rations (GB) (1975) (family 8-d)[31]


* Rebel's Romance is inbred 4S x 4D to the stallion Mr Prospector, meaning that he appears fourth generation on the sire side of his pedigree and fourth on the dam side of his pedigree.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Pedigree of Rebel's Romance". Equineline. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  2. ^ "Rebel's Romance profile". Equibase. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Dubawi Stud Record". Racing Post. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  4. ^ Cronin, Sean (14 August 2022). "Dubawi's Rebel's Romance Celebrates Career High In Germany". thoroughbreddailynews.com. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Play Ladbrokes 5-A-Side On Football Novice Stakes - (race 4)". Sporting Life. 26 October 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Unibet/British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes (Div 1) - (race 5)". Sporting Life. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  7. ^ a b "UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Sponsored By Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal". Racing Post. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Saudi Derby sponsored by Al Rahji Bank (Conditions)". Racing Post. 20 February 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  9. ^ a b Kieckhefer, Bob (25 March 2022). "Rebel's Romance Impressive in UAE Derby Win; Rebel's Romance took command of the March 27 race in early stretch". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  10. ^ a b "UAE Derby Sponsored By Emirates NBD (Group 2)". Racing Post. 27 March 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  11. ^ Bloodhorse Staff (7 April 2021). "Rebel's Romance to Pass Kentucky Derby, Await Belmont; Colt will target 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes (G1) June 5 at Belmont Park". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  12. ^ King, Byron (1 June 2021). "Rebel's Romance to Miss Belmont With Hind Leg Infection; Godolphin still has the Brad Cox-trained Essential Quality for the 1 1/2-mile race". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  13. ^ Kieckhefer, Bob (5 November 2022). "Rebel's Romance Takes BC Turf With Record-Setting Run; Rebel's Romance set the course record at Keeneland, going in 2:26.35". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  14. ^ Kieckhefer, Bob (2023-03-01). "Godolphin Super Saturday Team Is Minus Rebel's Romance". www.bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  15. ^ Club, Dubai Racing (2023-03-25). "'I Knew He Was The Best Horse': Japan's Equinox Stuns With Dubai Sheema Classic Win In Record Time". Paulick Report. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  16. ^ Rollins, Molly (31 July 2023). "Mullen Remains Under Medical Care at Albany; The jockey was unseated from Rebel's Romance during the Bowling Green Stakes (G2T)". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  17. ^ "Großer Preis von Bayern ohne Rebel's Romance". galopponline.de (in German). 2023-11-04. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  18. ^ "Aliyah By Azizi (Rated Conditions)". Racing Post. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  19. ^ "Curlin Stakes Presented By Race of Ambition (Listed Race)". Racing Post. 11 February 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  20. ^ "House Of Cavani Menswear Fred Archer Stakes (Listed) - (race 4)". Sporting Life. 25 June 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  21. ^ "L'Ormarins Queen's Plate Glorious Stakes (Group 3) - (race 5)". Sporting Life. 29 July 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  22. ^ "Westminster 132nd Grosser Preis von Berlin (Group 1)". Racing Post. 14 August 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  23. ^ "60th Preis von Europa - prasentiert von DZ Privatbank (Group 1)". Racing Post. 25 September 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  24. ^ "2022 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf Grade 1 – (race 10)". Equibase. November 6, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  25. ^ "Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1)". Racing Post. 25 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  26. ^ "2023 Bowling Green Stakes Grade 2 – (race 9)". Equibase. 30 July 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  27. ^ "2023 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes Grade 1 – (race 4)". Equibase. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  28. ^ "Unibet Wild Flower Stakes (Listed)". Sporting Life. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  29. ^ "H H The Amir Trophy (Group 3) (4yo+) (Turf)". Racing Post. 17 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  30. ^ "Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1)". Racing Post. 30 March 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  31. ^ "Thoroughbred Bloodlines - Feronia (GB) - Family 8-d". www.bloodlines.net. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
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