2022 Eclipse Awards: Rebel's Romance
Rebel’s Romance never got to race during his first trip to America. Sent to New York for the 2021 Belmont Stakes, Rebel’s Romance developed a leg infection that precluded him running.
Rebel’s Romance’s second trip to America worked out much better. Gelded after his 3-year-old season and remade from a dirt horse into a 1 1/2-mile turf performer, Rebel’s Romance stormed to a 2 1/2-length victory in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf, a showing strong enough to make him an Eclipse Award finalist.
Trained by Charlie Appleby, the homebred by Dubawi out of Minidress, by Street Cry, was bet like a second-stringer in the Breeders’ Cup Turf behind his Godolphin stablemate Nations Pride. First-call rider William Buick was aboard Nations Pride, James Doyle riding Rebel’s Romance.
:: Full list of 2022 Eclipse Awards finalists, including profile stories
In the days leading up to the race, Appleby himself suggested Nations Pride might be the right one. He’d already made three North American starts during 2022, and as a slighter, handier type of horse, was thought to suit the Keeneland turf course, compact by European standards.
Also in days leading up to the Breeders’ Cup Turf: The awesome physical presence of Rebel’s Romance leaving the Keeneland international quarantine area and going through his paces during morning training.
A massive, charismatic beast full of life, Rebel’s Romance stole the show among the Godolphin contingent readying for Breeders’ Cup races. Appleby questioned how Rebel’s Romance would handle the Keeneland turns. The answer was: Not very well, but good enough.
Rallying wide, with a tsunami of momentum, Rebel’s Romance swept to the lead by the furlong grounds and cruised home in America’s richest grass race.
That made Rebel’s Romance 5 for 5 since two dreadful races last winter over the dirt track at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai led to the gelding and a surface switch. Rising up the class ladder through the year, Rebel’s Romance won a Group 3 in England before being sent to Germany for his Group 1 turf debut, which produced a narrow victory in the Grosser Preis von Berlin in August.
In September, Rebel’s Romance gave weight and beat the talented German Derby winner Sammarco by three-quarters of a length in the Preis von Europa. Rebel’s Romance was very good that day – even better on American soil.
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