International star shows class in Hardwicke Stakes. (Megan Coggin)
Royal Ascot Release
ASCOT, Berkshire, England—Globetrotter Rebel’s Romance ended a three-year drought at Royal Ascot for Charlie Appleby with a resounding length-and-three-quarter success in the G2 Hardwicke Stakes.
The horse that always shows up on the big occasion now has a remarkable 18 career wins on his CV across six countries, seven of which have come at Group 1 level.
Rebel’s Romance loomed up ominously around the home turn and, once William Buick pressed the button, the 6/4 market leader was not for catching.
Al Riffa (4/1) stayed on well to finish second for Joseph O’Brien, with Ghostwriter (5/1), a recent big-money purchase by Amo Racing, taking 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.”
Joseph O’Brien said of Al Riffa: “Fantastic run. He is a real star and has run his legs off for us again today. He is a beautiful horse and always runs to a rating not too far off 120. It is hard to find horses like that. We were probably unlucky to meet a real champion in the Hardwicke. Rebel Romance has been one of the best horses in the world over the last number of years. I wouldn’t be against trying a little bit further with Al Riffa as well – he has plenty of stamina in his pedigree. I think we will probably think outside the box with him now.”
Kia Joorabchian said of Ghostwriter: “That was the first time at that trip, and I think he has handled it very well. I am not disappointed because probably that is one of his best runs ever. Clearly, he has very strong heart and I think he’s going to give us a lot of fun. He likes the ground, so maybe somewhere like America, Australia, those kinds of places he would relish. I think he’s managed to prove that the amount that we invested in him was worth of that. Of course, you’d like to win, but being beaten by a horse that has won the Sheema Classic, the Breeders’ Cup, big races in Qatar. That horse is a massive horse, and I am happy for Charlie – he has broken his duck before me.”
