Rebel's Romance uses new tactics to return to form in Sheema Classic

A disappointing 2023 campaign is behind Rebel’s Romance. The well-traveled 6-year-old is in the midst of a perfect start in 2024, including a win in Saturday’s Group 1 Sheema Classic at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.

Well-known in the United States for winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland in 2022, Rebel’s Romance won the fourth Grade 1 or Group 1 race of his career in the $6 million Sheema Classic at 1 1/2 miles due largely to a tactical ride by jockey William Buick.

Unlike earlier in his career, when he frequently rallied from off the pace, Rebel’s Romance stalked 76-1 Point Lonsdale, who was entered as a pacesetter for Auguste Rodin, the winner of the BC Turf at Santa Anita last November.

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Point Lonsdale cruised along in front without pressure, setting a modest pace. On the turn, Buick urged Rebel’s Romance closer to the front and took the lead with more than a furlong remaining.

None of the 10 world-class runners posed a late threat. Rebel’s Romance, who paid $32.20 in American pools and was 25-1 with British bookmakers, ran 1 1/2 miles in 2:26.72, winning by two lengths.

“We were confident that the right way was to go forward on him,” trainer Charlie Appleby said. “I was confident on the [backstretch] when the fractions weren’t that quick.”

Shahryar, third in the BC Turf last November, closed well to finish second at 23-1, a length in front of 9-5 Liberty Island. The Sheema Classic was the first start for Liberty Island since a second in the Grade 1 Japan Cup last November.

Auguste Rodin, also 9-5 in American pools, was never a factor and finished last of 12.

Rebel’s Romance, a 6-year-old Irish-bred gelding by Dubawi, races for Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin Racing. The Sheema Classic was Rebel Romance’s first win at the highest level since the 2022 BC Turf.

Rebel’s Romance was seventh in the 2023 Sheema Classic in his first start of the year, and did not race again until the Grade 2 Bowling Green Stakes at Saratoga last August where he was the 1-2 favorite. Rebel’s Romance clipped heels with a rival in the final half-mile of that race and unseated jockey Richard Mullen.

Later in the fall at the Belmont at Aqueduct meeting, Rebel’s Romance finished fourth at 1-2 in the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, which was run on yielding turf.

Rebel’s Romance has not lost since. He won minor Wild Flower Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on the synthetic track at Kempton Park outside of London in December to salvage at a win from a four-race campaign in 2023.

In his first start this year, Rebel’s Romance won the Group 3 Amir Trophy, a $3 million race at 1 1/2 miles in Qatar on Feb. 17. In the Wild Flower and Amir Trophy, Rebel’s Romance raced closer to the pace than what was typical earlier in his career.

“At Qatar, I tried something new,” Buick said after Saturday’s win.

The new race tactics worked in an ideal manner at Meydan.

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