The curtain has officially come down on the career of a titan. Rebel’s Romance, the most decorated champion ever to carry the famous royal blue of Godolphin, has run his final race.
It is the end of a breathtaking, seven-season odyssey for his Godolphin owners.
The son of Dubawi retired with an incredible 22 victories to his name, nine of which came at the absolute pinnacle of global racing.
His Group 1 trophy cabinet boasts the Dubai Sheema Classic, the Champions & Chater Cup. And not one, but two historic editions of the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
Voted North America’s Champion Male Turf Horse at the 2024 Eclipse Awards, his dominance knew no borders.
He conquered the world stage, capturing top-tier victories in Germany and the United States, alongside major Group triumphs in Qatar, the UAE, and the UK.
Even as a youngster, the spark of genius was clear.
He capped his juvenile season by easily dismissing subsequent Champion Stakes winners Anmaat and Bay Bridge.
Rebel’s Romance Burst Onto The Scene In UAE Derby
By age three, a spectacular, dominant run in the UAE Derby had everyone convinced he was headed for dirt superstardom (watch below).
But destiny had other plans. Injury cruelly forced him out of the 2021 Belmont Stakes-a race ultimately won by Essential Quality.
When he returned, he was switched to the turf, sparking a sensational five-race winning streak on the grass that ended with a blistering, course-record victory in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Turf.
His road wasn’t without bumps.
After a frustrating, injury-interrupted 2023 campaign, he emerged at age six in 2024 looking better and stronger than ever.
He won five of his six starts that year, plundering major prizes across the globe.
Winning Qatar’s H H The Amir Trophy, the Dubai Sheema Classic, the Champions & Chater Cup in Hong Kong, and Germany’s Preis von Europa.
He ended that magical 2024 season back at Del Mar, etching his name into the history books as the oldest horse to ever win the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Plus the first to win non-consecutive editions of the race.
Rebel’s Romance As Good As Ever In His Older Days
His seven-year-old campaign was just as prolific.
He racked up another five victories, including Group 1 glory in the Grosser Preis von Berlin and the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, alongside thrilling, hard-fought wins in the Yorkshire Cup and the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Sent back to Del Mar for another crack at the Breeders’ Cup Turf, he put up a heroic fight to join the legendary Goldikova as a three-time winner at the championships, ultimately finishing a brave second, just a length and a quarter behind Ethical Diamond.
Even at age eight, his will to win was completely undiminished. Rebel’s Romance retired perfect on the year, winning both of his starts.
He was met with a rapturous, standing ovation after taking the Dubai City Of Gold on Super Saturday at Meydan.
And then showed all his trademark, exuberant grit to capture the Princess Of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket’s July Festival (watch below).
Which has turned out to be his final race.
Rebel’s Romance Won 22 Of His 32 Races
He leaves the track with a legendary record of 22 wins from 32 starts under the masterclass training of Charlie Appleby, and career earnings crossing £12.2 million.
Plus he won at 14 different tracks in six different countries.
Beyond his Eclipse Award, he stands as the highest-earning Breeders’ Cup starter of all time. Plus only horse to ever eclipse $5 million in prize money at the event.
His next chapter will be with the Godolphin Lifetime Care programme. With specific retirement plans to be announced in the coming weeks.
In Their Own Words: Charlie Appleby and William Buick Comment on Rebel’s Romance Retirement
Charlie Appleby:
“We always knew this day would come, but it’s nevertheless a very sad day for everyone at Moulton Paddocks and Godolphin as a whole. Rebel’s Romance has proved an outstanding horse for so many years and has taken us on a journey that we will never forget.
“After yet another brilliant win at Newmarket last week, collectively we all discussed it and felt that now is the right time to call it a day.
“It has been an absolute honour to train such an amazing horse, who has been a dream to look after from the moment he arrived. My thanks must go to the whole team at Moulton Paddocks, who have done such a brilliant job of caring for him throughout his career.
“We have had some great days together and, wherever I am in the world, he is the one horse people ask me about. He built up a great following and I was always touched by the reception he received across the globe. You dream of having a horse like Rebel’s Romance and I am incredibly thankful to have been part of his story.”
William Buick:
“Rebel’s Romance has taken me on some great adventures and I feel immensely privileged to have been able to ride a horse of his stature. He proved time and time again to be an outstanding horse and I cherish the moments that we have had together.
“He was a wonderful horse to ride, with such a presence and a will to win, and an immense credit to everyone at Godolphin associated with him. His record across the world was phenomenal and I owe him a great deal.”
