In the 41st Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) at Del Mar, Godolphin’s Rebel’s Romance (IRE) made a bold move on the far turn and held off Rousham Park (JPN) by a neck to claim victory. The 5-year-old gelding, expertly handled by trainer Charlie Appleby and ridden by jockey William Buick, completed the mile and a half on firm turf in 2:26.07. This marked Rebel’s Romance’s second win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, having also triumphed in the 2022 race at Keeneland.

For Appleby, it was a third Breeders' Cup Turf victory, while Buick secured his second, having previously won aboard Yibir (GB) in 2021.

At the start, Cabo Spirit set the pace, but Rebel’s Romance was soon in close pursuit, pushing the early fractions to :24.33, :48.77, and 1:13.82. Rebel’s Romance surged ahead on the far turn, establishing a solid lead entering the stretch. Despite a strong late run from Rousham Park, he held on for the win. Shahryar (JPN) took third for the second year in a row, finishing 1 ½ lengths behind, while Gold Phoenix (IRE) settled for fourth, repeating his 2022 result.

The win brought a $2,600,000 payday, pushing Rebel's Romance’s career earnings to an impressive $11,777,574 with a record of 22: 15-0-1.

 Image Breeders' Cup