Rebel’s Romance on course to bid for Breeders’ Cup history

Charlie Appleby is confident experience can come to the fore when his ever-reliable ally Rebel’s Romance returns to Del Mar in search of a historic third Breeders’ Cup Turf success.

It is hard to think about the Breeders’ Cup without Appleby entering the conversation, such has been the proficiency of the Moulton Paddocks handler at the end-of-season world championships.

However, Rebel’s Romance has earned his own spot in Breeders’ Cup history with his exploits, becoming the first horse to regain the Turf title when adding to his Keeneland success of 2022 at Del Mar 12 months ago.

Having joined Conduit and High Chaparral as a dual winner of the mile-and-a-half contest, the globetrotting favourite will once again grace California with his presence on November 1 when he bids to become the first three-time winner of the $5million event.

“Rebel’s Romance and Notable Speech will be the two feature horses, but we’ll have a few others as well,” Appleby told the PA news agency when assessing this year’s hand for a meeting at which he has enjoyed 11 winners from less than 30 runners.

“We know there are going to be younger legs than Rebel’s Romance going round there, but at the Breeders’ Cup and on those type of tracks you can’t beat experience and he has an abundance of it.”

The seven-year-old Rebel’s Romance tuned up for his latest appearance at the Breeders’ Cup by notching the 20th success of his decorated career in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic in the hands of Frankie Dettori late last month.

That was his ninth victory at the highest level and while he may be encroaching on the veteran stage of his career, Appleby is content to let the popular stalwart continue riding the waves of the international racing scene while remaining a force at the top table.

“He’ll tell me when it’s time to stop,” continued Appleby. “People have asked me the question many times and I’ve always said the day he runs out of the first three is probably him saying he’s raised his white flag.

“He owes us nothing but while he’s enjoying it, we’ll allow him to keep doing it.”

Rebel’s Romance has very much been there and got the T-shirt when it comes to the Breeders’ Cup, but teammate Notable Speech will be hoping it is his turn to garner headlines when he helps spearhead the Appleby team and takes a second crack at the Breeder’s Cup Mile.

Last year’s 2000 Guineas winner was third in the $2m contest 12 months ago, but has looked to have regained his spark in recent months having followed up a near-miss in the Prix Jacques le Marois by landing top honours in the Woodbine Mile.

Meanwhile, joining Rebel’s Romance for the Turf could be El Cordobes, who won the Sword Dancer Stakes and finished third behind his illustrious stablemate in the Joe Hirsch since having attentions diverted to America in recent months.

“Notable Speech has come out of Woodbine well and we’ll keep an eye on El Cordobes as well because he ran a solid race behind Rebel’s Romance last time and as we all know, you just need luck round Del Mar,” continued Appleby, revealing the possible make-up of his squad.

“Two-year-olds wise, we’ll just see how the horses I ran at Woodbine are. Dance To The Music is probably going to run at Newmarket in the Fillies’ Mile, but the colt (Wild Desert) will probably head to Del Mar and hopefully has a bit of luck on his side after gaining the experience last time.

“I might look at the Filly & Mare with Diamond Rain and Cinderella’s Dream will also be in the mix for that, while we have Military Code for the (Juvenile Turf) Sprint and I think that race might just suit him.”

For Appleby himself, the Breeders’ Cup has proven central in the Godolphin handler cementing himself on the world stage and he is relishing the annual temporary escape from Newmarket to test his training prowess in warmer climes.

“I love it and everyone can see we enjoy going to the Breeders’ Cup,” said Appleby.

“I think it’s a great meeting and they host it well. It is one of the meetings internationally where everyone gets there and has a good crack of the whip at it.

“We know when you go to Del Mar you need to have the luck and get the draws and everything but regardless, you go there, accept your draw and do the best you can. It’s a meeting we like to support and have runners and most importantly try to have a winner there.”