English/Ire
Rebel’s Romance out to book Sheema Classic ticket
Rebel’s Romance will look to book his ticket to the Dubai Sheema Classic on World Cup night when he heads for the Dubai City of Gold at Meydan on Saturday.
Charlie Appleby's evergreen eight-year-old has become something of an international star over the years as a result of top-level victories in four different countries.
A nine-time Grade/Group 1 winner who has amassed nearly £12,000,000 in prize-money worldwide, Rebel's Romance has in recent seasons kicked off his campaign in the H H The Amir Trophy in Qatar.
However, he now looks set to start 2026 in Group 2 company at Meydan before heading on to try and regain his Dubai Sheema Classic crown from 2024.
Despite suffering defeat to the Japanese-trained Danon Decile in the Dubai Sheema Classic twelve months ago, Charlie Appleby's star went on to enjoy a hugely successful 2025, claiming his first Royal Ascot victory in the Hardwicke Stakes before wins in the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Berlin and Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes preceded a gallant second-place finish in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf.
The son of Dubawi will break from stall one under William Buick, with trainer Charlie Appleby pleased with how he's travelled back to the Middle East.
"Rebel's Romance returns to Dubai in great shape," he said. "He is eight now, but you couldn't knock his performances last season, and he appears to have retained all his enthusiasm throughout the winter.
"I'm hoping that he can show us once again what he can do and everyone can appreciate what a great racehorse he is."
Rebel's Romance will take on a whole host of interesting contenders, including Ed Walker's progressive recent Group 3 Dubai Millennium Stakes winner Fort George.
Fort George, who carries the colours of Mrs Fitri Hay, did have the option of running in the Singspiel Stakes earlier on the card, however, he will instead step up to a mile and a half to take on Appleby's star.
Walker said: "It was a straightforward decision to go for the City of Gold,"
"Obviously Rebel's Romance is going to be a problem, but if you take him out it looks pretty open – there's probably more depth in the Singspiel [Stakes].
"We thought not to run scared of one horse and we're very happy with Fort George. Kieran [Shoemark, jockey] has been riding him in his work, his weight is good, and everything has gone well since his win last time."
Earlier on the card, plenty of eyes will be on the hugely exciting Talk Of New York as he steps up in class in the Jumeirah 2000 Guineas.
Charlie Appleby's striking colt made a deep impression when scoring at Kempton on debut and will look to follow in the footsteps up Ruling Court, who landed this prize twelve months ago before going on to claim 2000 Guineas glory at Newmarket.
Appleby said: "There has been plenty of chat about Talk Of New York following his maiden win and we feel he is a nice horse in the making,"
"He is the least experienced horse in the field, and this will be another step in his education, as well as hopefully giving us a guide on what sort of horse we are dealing with when he heads back to Europe.
"He had a spin around Meydan, just to get used to the place, and we were very pleased with what we saw."
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