German Group 1 win sends Rebel's Romance to BC Turf

Rebel’s Romance is scheduled to start in the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 2 at Del Mar for the second time after a win in Sunday’s Group 1 Preis Von Europa in Cologne, Germany.

Rebel’s Romance won the 2022 BC Turf at Keeneland, but did not start in the race at Santa Anita last year. Should Rebel’s Romance win the BC Turf later this fall, he would become the first two-time winner in non-consecutive years of a race first run in 1984.

Trained by Charlie Appleby for Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin Racing, Rebel’s Romance won his sixth Group 1 race in the $179,600 Preis Von Europa at 1 1/2 miles. Ridden by William Buick, Rebel’s Romance, the 3-5 favorite, closed from fourth of six to take the lead with more than a furlong remaining. He won by a neck over the 21-1 outsider Straight.

“He is entitled to come on for this and we can look forward to the Breeders’ Cup Turf,” Appleby told Godolphin’s website.

The Preis Von Europa was Rebel’s Romance first start since a third-place finish behind Goliath in the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot Racecourse in England in July.

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“We don’t leave horses too short for Group 1 races, but he wasn’t quite as fit as he was heading into his last run,” Appleby said.

A 6-year-old, Rebel’s Romance has won 4 of 5 starts this year, including two Group 1 races at 1 1/2 miles in the spring – the Sheema Classic in the United Arab Emirates and the Champions and Chater Cup in Hong Kong.

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