Rebel’s Romance scales new heights with G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin victory

Rebel’s Romance continued his remarkable renaissance on turf as he posted a breakthrough G1 win in the Grosser Preis von Berlin at Hoppegarten on Sunday, 14 August.

The son of Dubawi had initially been campaigned on the all-weather and dirt by Charlie Appleby, winning the 2021 G2 UAE Derby, but headed to Germany having scored on both his turf appearances in the UK this summer.

Held up towards the rear for the majority of the 12-furlong contest, Rebel’s Romance still had six rivals in front of him at the top of the home straight. He stayed on strongly between horses approaching the final quarter-mile, taking up the running from Northern Ruler over a furlong from home.

Rebel’s Romance forged clear under James Doyle and had enough in reserve to see off the running-on Nerik for a neck success, with the front two pulling a length and three-quarters clear of third home Ardakan.

Charlie Appleby said: “Rebel’s Romance came into this race with a nice profile and we have probably been running him on the wrong surface for so many years! He is three-from-three since switching to turf now and is enjoying his racing.

“I don’t know how far he can go on turf, but we will possibly have a look at returning to Germany for another G1 in the autumn. I am very pleased with him and it was a great ride by James.”

James Doyle added: “Rebel’s Romance had a different start to his career compared to most of our horses in that we trained him for the dirt and he ended up winning the UAE Derby. It feels like he has definitely improved for the switch to turf and he came into today’s race relatively unexposed.

“I thought he did a super job and travelled round really smoothly. They didn’t go much of a pace and I ended up further back than ideal but he was a bit boisterous beforehand, so I wanted to make sure he relaxed properly. He showed a good kick at the top of the straight.”