# Rebel's Romance

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

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.
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.

## Racing career
### 2020: Two-year-old season

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. He followed up with a four-length victory at Kempton Park Racecourse as the 11/10 favorite. 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

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

### 2022: Four-year-old season

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.

### 2023: Five-year-old season

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. 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.
On July 30, at Saratoga, the horse clipped heels 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.
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. 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

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

## Statistics

| Date | Distance | Race | Grade/ Group | Track | Odds | Field | Finish | Winning time | Winning (Losing) margin | Jockey |
| 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 |
| Nov 18, 2020 | 1 mile | Novice Stakes | | Kempton Park | 11/10* | 12 | 1 | 1:37.95 | 4 lengths | William Buick |
| 2021 – three-year-old season ||||||||||||
| Jan 14, 2021 | 1600 metres | UAE 2000 Guineas Trial | | Meydan (UAE) | N/A | 10 | 1 | 1:37.55 | head | William Buick |
| Feb 20, 2021 | 1600 metres | Saudi Derby | | King Abdulaziz Racetrack | N/A | 12 | 4 | 1:38.57 | (5 lengths) | William Buick |
| Mar 27, 2021 | 1900 metres | UAE Derby | II | Meydan (UAE) | N/A | 14 | 1 | 1:56.28 | 5+1⁄2 lengths | William Buick |
| 2022 – four-year-old season ||||||||||||
| Jan 21, 2022 | 2000 metres | Aliyah By Azizi | | Meydan (UAE) | N/A | 16 | 8 | 2:03.46 | (24+3⁄4 lengths) | William Buick |
| Feb 11, 2022 | 2000 metres | Curlin Stakes | Listed | Meydan (UAE) | N/A | 13 | 11 | 2:08.12 | (26+3⁄4 lengths) | William Buick |
| 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 |
| Jul 29, 2022 | 1m 3f 218y | Glorious Stakes | III | Goodwood | 4/5* | 8 | 1 | 2:34.89 | 1 length | William Buick |
| Aug 14, 2022 | 2400 metres | Grosser Preis von Berlin | I | Hoppegarten (GER) | Evens* | 8 | 1 | 2:32.33 | neck | James Doyle |
| Sep 25, 2022 | 2400 metres | Preis von Europa | I | Cologne (GER) | 13/10* | 7 | 1 | 2:30.97 | 3⁄4 length | William Buick |
| Nov 6, 2022 | 1+1⁄2 miles | Breeders' Cup Turf | I | Keeneland | 5.96 | 13 | 1 | 2:26.35 | 2+1⁄4 lengths | James Doyle |
| 2023 – five-year-old season ||||||||||||
| Mar 25, 2023 | 2410 metres | Dubai Sheema Classic | I | Meydan (UAE) | N/A | 10 | 7 | 2:25.65 | (11 lengths) | William Buick |
| Jul 30, 2023 | 1+3⁄8 miles | Bowling Green Stakes | II | Saratoga | 0.55* | 9 | fell | 2:15.21 | DNF | Richard Mullen |
| Oct 7, 2023 | 1+1⁄2 miles | Joe Hirsch Turf Classic | I | Aqueduct | 0.55* | 8 | 4 | 2:32.86 | (5+3⁄4 lengths) | William Buick |
| 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 |
| 2024 – six-year-old season ||||||||||||
| Feb 17, 2024 | 2400 metres | H H The Amir Trophy | III | Doha (QAT) | N/A | 11 | 1 | 2:28.84 | 3 lengths | William Buick |
| Mar 30, 2024 | 2410 metres | Dubai Sheema Classic | I | Meydan (UAE) | N/A | 10 | 1 | 2:26.72 | 2 lengths | William Buick |
| May 26, 2024 | 2400 metres | Hong Kong Champions & Chater Cup | I | Sha Tin (HK) | 0.40 | 8 | 1 | 2:25.62 | 2 lengths | William Buick |
| July 27, 2024 | 1m 3f 211y | King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes | I | Ascot | 5/2 | 9 | 3 | 2:27.43 | (5+1⁄2 lengths) | William Buick |
| Sep 22, 2024 | 2400 metres | Preis von Europa | I | Cologne (GER) | 3/5* | 6 | 1 | 2:25.91 | neck | William Buick |
| Nov 2, 2024 | 1+1⁄2 miles | Breeders' Cup Turf | I | Del Mar | 1.90* | 13 | 1 | 2:26.07 | neck | William Buick |
Legend:
 Turf  Dirt  All--weather track
Notes:
An (*) asterisk after the odds means Rebel's Romance was the post-time favorite.
* ↑ Distance for the event was approximately one mile
* ↑ 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
* ↑ Distance for the event was approximately one mile
* ↑ 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
* ↑ Distance for the event was approximately 1+3⁄16 miles
* ↑ Rebel's Romance final odds in the UAE Derby with British Bookmakers were 8/1 since gambling is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates
* ↑ Distance for the event was approximately 1+1⁄4 miles
* ↑ 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
* ↑ Rebel's Romance final odds in the Curlin Stakes with British Bookmakers were 3/1 since gambling is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates
* ↑ The registered Glorious Stakes was run as the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate Glorious Stakes due to sponsorship
* ↑ Distance for the event was approximately one and a half miles
* ↑ Distance for the event was approximately one and a half miles
* ↑ Rebel's Romance set a new track record for the distance
* ↑ Distance for the event was approximately 1+1⁄2 miles
* ↑ Rebel's Romance final odds with British Bookmakers were 3/1 since gambling is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates
* ↑ The winner War Like Goddess set a new track record for the distance on the outer turf track at Aqueduct
* ↑ Distance for the event was approximately one and a half miles
* ↑ Gambling is prohibited in Qatar
* ↑ Distance for the event was approximately 1+1⁄2 miles
* ↑ Rebel's Romance final odds with British Bookmakers were 3/1 since gambling is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates
* ↑ Distance for the event was approximately 1+1⁄2 miles
* ↑ Rebel's Romance final odds with Hong Kong Jockey Club were 1.4 (decimal odds) which is equivalent to 2/5 odds-on in fractional odds
* ↑ Distance for the event was approximately one and a half miles

## Pedigree

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