Rebel’s Romance added to his already shining international CV when reclaiming his Breeders’ Cup Turf crown at Del Mar on Saturday.
Few European combinations have been more potent than Charlie Appleby and William Buick when it comes to Breeders' Cups and their international superstar Rebel's Romance ensured the boys in blue would not leave Del Mar empty-handed.
Godolphin's globetrotting star provided James Doyle with his first Breeders' Cup success when landing the prize in 2022, but this time it was William Buick who got his moment aboard Rebel's Romance in California.
The tempo looked a moderate one throughout and with that in mind, Buick decided to go forward on his mount from stall twelve. The front-running Cabo Spirit began to backpedal, and it was at this moment that Buick opted to strike for home.
Rebel's Romance quickly shot into a distinct advantage up the straight and although the Japanese raider Rousham Park started to cut into the lead, the Charlie Appleby-trained 19/10 favourite had enough in reverse the fend off the challenge by a neck. Shahryar finished back in third for the same connections.
Of the globetrotting Rebel's Romance, Appleby said: "First and foremost he's very much a yard favourite and he's built up this worldwide fanbase, most notable when he went to Hong Kong when everybody knew him.
"Throughout the race, I was pleased with where he was and pleased, he made the move when he did," said Appleby, who was landing an eleventh Breeders' Cup victory. "He's a superstar, he really is. When you watch him run, you really feel it – you want him to win.
"To be campaigned at that level for the time he has takes a lot of guts."
Appleby added: "He (Buick) was pretty confident we had got the job done, but he was idling because we'd been out there for so long.
"This fella owes us nothing. Obviously, we would like to take him back to Dubai for the Sheema Classic, he's a real star and draws all the media attention.
"With a horse like him, he takes the pressure off you. When you roll a horse like him out you know you are going to get everything from him."
Much of the gloss of the contest was removed when it was announced that Brian Meehan's Royal Ascot winner Jayarebe collapsed after crossing the finish line. It was later announced by veterinary officials that he had suffered a fatal "cardiac event".
Speaking on NBC Sports, AAEP on-call veterinarian said: "We offer our condolences obviously to all the connections. It's suspected to be a cardiac event; they are unusual but can occur. If in fact, that is it, post-mortems don't help answer that question generally and they are almost impossible to predict. In a horse that is training well, you wouldn't know it."
Emily Upjohn, who was situated towards the rear of the field, failed to get involved for Frankie Dettori and John and Thady Gosden.
