Rebel’s Romance goes down fighting in bid for history

Charlie Appleby suggested Rebel’s Romance could be back for more at the Breeder’s Cup after being thwarted in his quest for a historic third Turf success at Del Mar.

The winner of the $5million contest in 2022 and 12 months ago, the defending champion was always up with the pace tracking the front-running Silawi from his draw in stall one in the hands of William Buick, and turning for home another triumph on US soil was looking a distinct possibility.

However, the seven-year-old international stalwart had no answer to the electric turn of foot of Willie Mullins’ Ethical Diamond who stormed home in course-record time, to leave the Moulton Paddocks handler proud and with no excuses.

He said: “Rebel’s has shown us he’s not ready to lie down yet. He’s a dream to have. When Will gave him the office I thought he was going to create his own history, but the winner flew and we kept on.

“From where we had to sit a stride or two on the turn it made no difference to the outcome.

“What I’ve just seen, he is just as competitive as ever. He’s finished in the first two and will embark on his usual winter campaign in Qatar and Dubai.”

Buick added: “When I pulled him out for a second I thought I had it, but the winner arrived with a wet sail. I have no complaints, he’s run another very good race and he felt as good as ever.”

It was Rebel’s Romance’s stablemate El Cordobes who filled the final spot on the podium, with Ralph Beckett’s Royal Ascot winner Amiloc continuing the Europeans dominance in the race when fourth in his first overseas start.

Aidan O’Brien dual Oaks heroine Minnie Hauk was sixth, having held every chance under Christophe Soumillon.

“I wasn’t really happy because she was a bit keen the whole time and she looked a bit nervous today before the race, and in the run she never really settled,” said Soumillon.

“When I asked her to take some blows, she never took it and I think she just over-raced today.

“Today she wasn’t like she was in Longchamp, she was a bit more nervous today and the race didn’t suit us. She didn’t respond like she normally does and the main problem was she over raced and she couldn’t pick up when I asked her to go.”

Running a big race in fourth was the Ralph Beckett-trained Amiloc, of whom jockey Rossa Ryan said: “He’s run an absolute screamer. It was a rough race as there was a lot of pressure on us throughout.

“Definitely would have got second if had got a better run in the race. Rebel’s Romance was right on him all the way. We stayed on strongly to the line. He’s enjoyed travelling and didn’t mind the ground. He deserves a seat at top table now running in these major racing and he’s thrived off the travelling.”