Looking for Romance of the Turf in the USA

DEL MAR – The hugely popular Rebel’s Romance could make history at Del Mar by becoming the first horse to win the US$1 million (S$1.3 million) Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf (2,400m) for a third time.

The gelding is based at Charlie Appleby’s Newmarket stable, but his reach has been global.

As well as those Breeders’ Cup triumphs – the latest being a thrilling Del Mar victory in 2024, his worldwide Group 1 victories were across countries like Hong Kong, Germany, Qatar and Dubai.

William Buick, who has ridden the son of Dubawi to 16 of his 20 career triumphs, is in the hot seat again, and they have drawn gate 1 in the 14-runner field.

“I will leave it to William as to how he wants to play it. He could lead or he could sit in the box seat,” said Appleby.

“The old boy is against younger opponents again. But he’s got the experience that you can’t beat around here and he’s in pitch-perfect shape.”

Among the younger rivals the seven-year-old will encounter around the tight Del Mar bends is the Aidan O’Brien-trained Minnie Hauk (Christophe Soumillon).

Minnie Hauk built a following after 2025 Group 1 victories in the Oaks Stakes (2,405m) at Epsom, Irish Oaks (2,400m) at the Curragh and York’s Yorkshire Oaks (2,371m), before succumbing by a head to Daryz in the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2,400m).

Other elite middle-distance contenders, who could further enhance the European domination of the Breeders’ Cup Turf, include Goliath (Mickael Barzalona), Wimbledon Hawkeye (Frankie Dettori) and Ethical Diamond.

Ethical Diamond, who is trained by Willie Mullins, will be partnered for the first time by the Hong Kong-bound Dylan McMonagle, recently crowned Irish champion jockey after a fabulous season.

“He had setbacks earlier in his career but has come right now and just keeps improving. We’ve also worked out how best to ride him,” said Mullins. HKJC