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| Staff Writer |
Rebel's Romance notched his fourth Gr.1 triumph by showcasing his superiority over a formidable lineup in the Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup Night on Saturday, 30th March.
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The 2022 Breeders' Cup Turf victor entered the 12-furlong spectacle at Meydan with momentum from notable victories in both the UK and Qatar. However, he faced stiff competition from a field boasting nine other Gr.1 champions from Japan and Europe.
Rebel's Romance is a 6YO gelding, the offspring of Dubawi and the Street Cry mare Minidress. Trained by Charles Appleby, he has raced under the banner of Godolphin, LLC. Rebel's Romance has showcased his talents with victories at Belmont, Aqueduct, Keeneland, and Saratoga. Notably, he clinched stakes win at the 2022 Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Turf.
Three years after triumphing in the UAE Derby on dirt, Rebel's Romance, the celebrated traveller of Godolphin, graced Meydan's lush green turf for a historic victory in the Gr.1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic. Under trainer Charlie Appleby's tutelage and William Buick's reins, who wisely opted for a conservative approach, the 6YO Dubawi gelding secured victory with remarkable ease, devoid of any unforeseen incidents. Buick skillfully managed the former Breeders' Cup winner's eager disposition, allowing Point Lonsdale, one of two contenders for trainer Aidan O'Brien, to dictate the early pace.
The duo maintained a significant lead over the rest of the field, with Point Lonsdale commanding a three-length advantage at the halfway mark of the 2410-meter race. As Rebel's romance surged forward, Lordan urged Point Lonsdale onward, attempting to resist the fast-closing threat. Meanwhile, Buick, aware of the ample energy remaining in his mount, opted not to challenge the leaders immediately. Instead, he patiently waited until the 400-meter marker approached. When he finally urged Rebel's Romance forward, the horse displayed a remarkable burst of speed, swiftly distancing himself from the competition.
Rebel's Romance ultimately crossed the finish line with a comfortable two-length lead, ahead of Hideaki Fujiwara's 2022 champion Shahryar, who made a late surge to deny his stablemate Liberty Island the third position by a further length. This victory marked the entire team's third consecutive win in a third different country, following successes in a Gr.3 race in Qatar and a Listed event at Kempton. However, the odds-on favourite and Aidan O'Brien's dual Derby winner, Auguste Rodin, finished last among the twelve contenders as he sought his third consecutive victory.
Buick emphasised winning on Dubai's most significant racing day, acknowledging the fierce competition and the team's dedication. He praised the quality of the horses at the event, underscoring Godolphin's commitment to excellence.
"He showed in Qatar what a versatile horse he is," said Buick. "His best form has usually been when he's held up, but I tried something new in Qatar. Today, I was keen to adopt a similar tactic and got a lovely slipstream from the leader. He's a very good horse on his day and showed that today. I'm delighted; he's a great horse and so glad he's back to his best."
Buick added, "You know His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum wants to see the best horses come to Dubai, and the best horses are here. These races are tough to win, so I'm thrilled. It's great for the team and everybody. It's great to be here and ride a winner. It was an amazing training performance and a great job by the whole team. I'm fortunate to be able to ride these horses."
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Appleby said, "It was today's last roll of the dice. We went into the race as a long shot, which shows the depth of the race. We had a bumpy road last year; went to Kempton to bring up his confidence and then to Qatar to bring him back to where we wanted him to be. "Full credit to the team, especially the logistical team, as he returned to the UK from Qatar and then out here. "The plan was to go forward, and William knows the track and horse very well. Most importantly, I am delighted for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the entire team at Godolphin."
The Newmarket handler added, "It was our last throw of the darts, but we were confident he was in as good a place as we could get him. He went to Kempton and had a great ride from William to Qatar.
"He has travelled a lot, but we were confident he was doing his best. Plan A was to go forward and give the horse the best chance to run his best race.
"This whole night is a huge space in the racing calendar that everyone will aim for. You must look after these horses and ensure you don't give them only a few races.
"We toyed with the Champions & Chater Cup in Hong Kong next, but we will enjoy today, and he deserves a bit of a rest."
Shahryar's jockey, Cristian Demuro, commended his horse's performance and acknowledged Rebel's Romance's superiority on the day.
Demuro said, "He ran a perfect race. He travelled well and was always in a good position. The best horse just beat him on the day. The pace was okay; it allowed my horse to relax behind the winner."
Liberty Island's trainer, Mitsu Nakauchida, who ended up third, expressed disappointment with the result, attributing it partly to the unfamiliar ground at Meydan.
Nakauchida said, "She was in perfect condition. I thought she sat in a good place; however, maybe the ground at Meydan didn't suit her. She couldn't show her turn of foot compared to what she does in Japan. I wanted to get a good result but couldn't. I feel sorry for her connections and fans."
Rebel's Romance's victory showcased Godolphin's prowess and highlighted the team's meticulous preparation and determination to succeed at the highest level of international racing.
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Winner Race 2024 |
Full Finishing List 2024