Rebel's Romance

Rebel's Romance (foaled 19 March 2018) is an Irish-bred, British-trained multiple Group 1-winning Thoroughbred racehorse. As a three-year-old in 2022 he won the UAE Derby on the dirt in Dubai. His other major wins include the Grosser Preis von Berlin, the Preis von Europa in Germany and on two occasions the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland where he set a new track record.

Rebel's Romance
Rebel's Romance at the 2022 Grosser Preis von Berlin
Sire	Dubawi (IRE)
Grandsire	Dubai Millennium (GB)
Dam	Minidress (GB)
Damsire	Street Cry (IRE)
Sex	Gelding
Foaled	19 March 2018[1]
Country	Ireland
Color	Dark bay or Brown
Breeder	Godolphin
Owner	Godolphin
Trainer	Charlie Appleby
Record	28 :19 - 0 - 2
Earnings	US$14,171,477[2]
Major wins
UAE Derby (2021) Glorious Stakes (2022) Grosser Preis von Berlin (2022, 2025) Preis von Europa (2022, 2024) Breeders' Cup Turf (2022, 2024) Wild Flower Stakes (2023) H H Amir Trophy (QAT) (2024, 2025) Dubai Sheema Classic (2024) Hong Kong Champions & Chater Cup (2024) Yorkshire Cup (2025) Hardwicke Stakes (2025) Timeform rating: 125
Last updated on 15 August 2025

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.^[3]

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.^[4]

Racing career

Racing silks of Godolphin

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.^[5] He followed up with a four-length victory at Kempton Park Racecourse as the 11/10 favorite.^[6] 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.^[7]

On 20 February, in the Al Rajhi Bank Saudi Derby in Saudi Arabia, Rebel's Romance finished fourth to the Japanese-bred Pink Kamehameha.^[8] Charlie Appleby was disappointed with the effort, commenting later, "We were expecting a better run than in Saudi."^[9]

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.^[10] 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.^[9]

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."^[11] 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.^[12]

2022: Four-year-old season

On 5 November, 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.^[13]

2023: Five-year-old season

The horse was initially scheduled to start the season with the Dubai City of Gold on 1 March, but due to inflammation in his forearm, he was withdrawn.^[14] On 25 March, he was entered in the Dubai Sheema Classic, but his winning streak stopped at five as he was unable to catch up to the victor, Equinox.^[15]

On 30 July, 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.^[16]

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.^[17] The horse scored a victory in his final race of the season, the Wild Flower Stakes at Kempton held on 13 December.

2024: Six-year-old season

After his win in Qatar, he won the 2024 Dubai Sheema Classic.^[18]

Statistics

Date	Distance	Race	Grade/ Group	Track	Odds	Field	Finish	Winning time	Winning (Losing) margin	Jockey	Winner (2nd Place)	Ref
2020 – two-year-old season
26 Oct 2020	1 mile 5 yards	Novice Stakes		Newcastle	9/2	9	1	1:41.74	1 length	William Buick	(Movin Time)	[5]
18 Nov 2020	1 mile	Novice Stakes		Kempton Park	11/10*	12	1	1:37.95	4 lengths	William Buick	(Anmaat)	[6]
2021 – three-year-old season
14 Jan 2021	1600 metres[a]	UAE 2000 Guineas Trial		Meydan (UAE)	N/A[b]	10	1	1:37.55	head	William Buick	(Mouheeb)	[7]
20 Feb 2021	1600 metres[c]	Saudi Derby		King Abdulaziz Racetrack	N/A[d]	12	4	1:38.57	(5 lengths)	William Buick	Pink Kamehameha	[8]
27 Mar 2021	1900 metres[e]	UAE Derby	II	Meydan (UAE)	N/A[f]	14	1	1:56.28	5+1⁄2 lengths	William Buick	(Panadol)	[10]
2022 – four-year-old season
21 Jan 2022	2000 metres[g]	Aliyah By Azizi		Meydan (UAE)	N/A[h]	16	8	2:03.46	(24+3⁄4 lengths)	William Buick	Dubai Icon	[19]
11 Feb 2022	2000 metres	Curlin Stakes	Listed	Meydan (UAE)	N/A[i]	13	11	2:08.12	(26+3⁄4 lengths)	William Buick	Appreciated	[20]
25 Jun 2022	1+1⁄2 miles	Fred Archer Stakes	Listed	Newmarket	9/4*	4	1	2:35.75	3+3⁄4 lengths	William Buick	(Kemari)	[21]
29 Jul 2022	1m 3f 218y	Glorious Stakes[j]	III	Goodwood	4/5*	8	1	2:34.89	1 length	William Buick	(Kemari)	[22]
14 Aug 2022	2400 metres[k]	Grosser Preis von Berlin	I	Hoppegarten (GER)	Evens*	8	1	2:32.33	neck	James Doyle	(Nerik)	[23]
25 Sep 2022	2400 metres[l]	Preis von Europa	I	Cologne (GER)	13/10*	7	1	2:30.97	3⁄4 length	William Buick	(Sammarco)	[24]
6 Nov 2022	1+1⁄2 miles	Breeders' Cup Turf	I	Keeneland	5.96	13	1	2:26.35[m]	2+1⁄4 lengths	James Doyle	(Stone Age)	[25]
2023 – five-year-old season
25 Mar 2023	2410 metres[n]	Dubai Sheema Classic	I	Meydan (UAE)	N/A[o]	10	7	2:25.65	(11 lengths)	William Buick	Equinox	[26]
30 Jul 2023	1+3⁄8 miles	Bowling Green Stakes	II	Saratoga	0.55*	9	fell	2:15.21	DNF	Richard Mullen	Channel Maker	[27]
7 Oct 2023	1+1⁄2 miles	Joe Hirsch Turf Classic	I	Aqueduct	0.55*	8	4	2:32.86[p]	(5+3⁄4 lengths)	William Buick	War Like Goddess	[28]
13 Dec 2023	1m 3f 219y	Wild Flower Stakes	Listed	Kempton Park	4/5*	8	1	1:37.95	1+1⁄4 lengths	William Buick	(Elegant Man)	[29]
2024 – six-year-old season
17 Feb 2024	2400 metres[q]	H H The Amir Trophy	III	Doha (QAT)	N/A[r]	11	1	2:28.84	3 lengths	William Buick	(Zeffiro)	[30]
30 Mar 2024	2410 metres[s]	Dubai Sheema Classic	I	Meydan (UAE)	N/A[t]	10	1	2:26.72	2 lengths	William Buick	(Shahryar)	[31]
26 May 2024	2400 metres[u]	Hong Kong Champions & Chater Cup	I	Sha Tin (HK)	0.40[v]	8	1	2:25.62	2 lengths	William Buick	(Five G Patch)	[32]
27 July 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	Goliath	[33]
22 Sep 2024	2400 metres[w]	Preis von Europa	I	Cologne (GER)	3/5*	6	1	2:25.91	neck	William Buick	(Straight)	[34]
2 Nov 2024	1+1⁄2 miles	Breeders' Cup Turf	I	Del Mar	1.90*	13	1	2:26.07	neck	William Buick	(Rousham Park)	[35]
2025 – seven-year-old season
16 Feb 2025	2300 metres[x]	H H The Amir Trophy	III	Al Uqda (QAT)	N/A[y]	8	1	2:14.96	1 length	William Buick	(The Foxes)	[36]
5 Apr 2025	2410 metres[z]	Dubai Sheema Classic	I	Meydan (UAE)	N/A[aa]	9	4	2:27.05	(3+1⁄4 lengths)	William Buick	Danon Decile	[37]
16 May 2025	1m 5f 188y	Yorkshire Cup	II	York	11/10*	5	1	3:07.88	head	William Buick	(Epic Poet)	[38]
21 Jun 2025	1m 3f 211y	Hardwicke Stakes	I	Royal Ascot	6/4*	12	1	2:28.23	1+3⁄4 lengths	William Buick	(Al Riffa)	[39]
26 July 2025	1m 3f 211y	King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes	I	Ascot	5/1	5	3	2:29.74	(3+1⁄2 lengths)	William Buick	Calandagan	[40]
10 Aug 2025	2400 metres[ab]	Grosser Preis von Berlin	I	Hoppegarten (GER)	1/5*on	6	1	2:27.81	3⁄4 length	Billy Loughnane	(Junko)	[41]

Legend:
  Turf   Dirt   All--weather track
Notes:
An (*) asterisk after the odds means Rebel's Romance was the post-time favorite.

1. Distance for the event was approximately one mile
2. 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
3. Distance for the event was approximately one mile
4. 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
5. Distance for the event was approximately 1+3⁄16 miles
6. Rebel's Romance final odds in the UAE Derby with British Bookmakers were 8/1 since gambling is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates
7. Distance for the event was approximately 1+1⁄4 miles
8. 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
9. Rebel's Romance final odds in the Curlin Stakes with British Bookmakers were 3/1 since gambling is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates
10. The registered Glorious Stakes was run as the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate Glorious Stakes due to sponsorship
11. Distance for the event was approximately one and a half miles
12. Distance for the event was approximately one and a half miles
13. Rebel's Romance set a new track record for the distance
14. Distance for the event was approximately 1+1⁄2 miles
15. Rebel's Romance final odds with British Bookmakers were 3/1 since gambling is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates
16. The winner War Like Goddess set a new track record for the distance on the outer turf track at Aqueduct
17. Distance for the event was approximately one and a half miles
18. Gambling is prohibited in Qatar
19. Distance for the event was approximately 1+1⁄2 miles
20. Rebel's Romance final odds with British Bookmakers were 3/1 since gambling is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates
21. Distance for the event was approximately 1+1⁄2 miles
22. 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
23. Distance for the event was approximately one and a half miles
24. Distance for the event was approximately one and a seven-sixteenths miles
25. Gambling is prohibited in Qatar
26. Distance for the event was approximately 1+1⁄2 miles
27. Rebel's Romance final odds with British Bookmakers were 9/4 second favourite since gambling is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates
28. 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^[1]

Sire Dubawi (IRE) (2002)	Dubai Millennium (GB) (1996)	Seeking The Gold (1985)	Mr Prospector* (1970)
			Con Game (1974)
		Colorado Dancer (IRE) (1986)	Shareef Dancer (1980)
			Fall Aspen (1976)
	Zomaradah (GB) (1995)	Deploy (GB) (1987)	Shirley Heights (GB) (1975)
			Slightly Dangerous (1979)
		Jawaher (IRE) (1989)	Dancing Brave (1983)
			High Tern (IRE) (1982)
Dam Minidress (GB) (2009)	Street Cry (IRE) (1998)	Machiavellian (1987)	Mr Prospector* (1970)
			Coup De Folie (1982)
		Helen Street (GB) (1982)	Troy (GB) (1976)
			Waterway (FR) (1976)
	Short Skirt (GB) (2003)	Diktat (GB) (1995)	Warning (GB) (1985)
			Arvolo (GB) (1990)
		Much Too Risky (GB) (1982)	Bustino (GB) (1971)
			Short Rations (GB) (1975) (family 8-d)[42]

* 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.