Globe-trotting star Rebel’s Romance sublime in Hardwicke Stakes
Charlie Appleby called on global superstar Rebel’s Romance (Dubawi) as a “last roll of the dice” at Royal Ascot on Saturday, and the seven-year-old once again came up with the goods to give his stable a first victory at the meeting in three years in the Hardwicke Stakes (Gr 2, 1m 4f).
A winner in the USA, Germany, Hong Kong, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the UK, Rebel’s Romance was adding a remarkable 13th Group race success to his name – becoming Godolphin’s equal best Pattern performer along with 2022-23 Australian Horse of the Year Anamoe (Street Boss).
In the hands of William Buick, who had guided Godolphin’s Trawlerman (Golden Horn) to a rousing Gold Cup (Gr 1, 2m 4f) win on Thursday, the son of Dubawi (Dubawi Millennium) was sent off a warm 6-4 favourite despite his stable’s wanting recent form at the royal meeting.
But ever the dependable performer, Rebel’s Romance did what he does best, staying on strongly to beat Al Riffa (Wootton Bassett) by a length and a quarter. Ghostwriter (Invincible Spirit), who was sporting the Amo Racing colours for the first time following his £2 million purchase at Monday’s Goffs London Sale, ran another solid race, finishing a further length and a half away in third.
Appleby said: “People often ask me about Rebel’s Romance and, as I say, ‘if you’re not asking me about Rebel’s Romance, you don’t watch racing’, because he is a worldwide superstar. As I said to Mick Fitzgerald on the way in, when he stopped me for an interview, I’ve got a picture of this fellow on my bedside table. He means that much to us all.
“Full credit to the horse first and foremost, and full credit to all the team. It has been a tough week and that is what you expect when you come here – it is the Olympics. You can come here thinking you are fully loaded and have great chances, and you can walk away with excuses, but that’s racing.
“I would like to think that we compose ourselves well, we take it on the chin and then we look forward. I was always taught from a young age, when I came into racing, to applaud every winner and enjoy your own. I know how hard it is for people to get horses here, let alone to have a winner. I would like to think I’m the first to go and congratulate everyone when they have a winner.”
On Rebel’s Romance being an international superstar, Appleby said: “I felt going to York that it was hopefully a chance for people to be able to see a horse like him. And today for him to do it on this stage is what he richly deserves himself. Most importantly for the team back home, it has been a tough week for everyone. If there was one man who was going to pull it out the bag, it was Rebel’s Romance. I would like to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and team Godolphin. It has been a great week for them and I am just glad we’ve managed to put one on the board ourselves.”
Buick said: “It was very important for us to have a winner, for Charlie and the team. It is not easy. We had one more roll of the dice – and what a partner. Rebel’s Romance is a dream horse. Any jockey that is fortunate in their career to have a horse like Rebel’s Romance is blessed, and I am blessed.
“It erupted when he hit the front – he is a fan favourite. He travels the world and is recognised everywhere. We have won more than £10 million in prize money. He has been around the block and is a top-class racehorse.
“You don’t find many top-class horses with a will to win like he has. I always say he always finds a way. We gel well together. He is my best friend.”