Rebel’s Romance showed no signs of age catching up with him as he readily won the G3 H H The Amir Trophy for a second successive year on Sunday, 16 February. 

The thoroughbred highlight of Qatar’s season was delayed 24 hours and switched to Al Uqda’s 2,300m course following concerns over the condition of the turf at Al Rayyan. 

Similar to his victory 12 months earlier, Rebel’s Romance was prominent throughout and the seven-time G1 winner soon established a three-quarter length lead over Simca Mille. 

Rebel’s Romance kicked on for William Buick at the top of the straight and the Charlie Appleby-trained seven-year-old never looked in any danger, crossing the line full of running to beat The Foxes by a length. 

Charlie Appleby said: “We are very thankful to everyone at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club for getting the races run. It has been a challenging weekend, and they have done a fantastic job in a very short space of time. 

“Rebel’s Romance is the ultimate warhorse, who doesn’t know how to lie down. He has gone out there with his heart on his sleeve and put up another great performance. William knows the horse inside out and has ridden him with a lot of confidence again.

 

“I am delighted for the whole team and especially His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, who continually supports us in letting us make the decisions that we feel are right. Thankfully, he is reaping the rewards and, when you have a horse like Rebel’s Romance, it makes the job a lot easier. 

“We will ship Rebel’s Romance back to Newmarket and plot the same route that we took last year, giving him a little break in preparation for the Dubai Sheema Classic. It’s one race at a time with him these days, and we will enjoy every moment.” 

The trainer and jockey also teamed up on the card with Al Qudra, who showed his class when easily making all in the Al Rayyan Mile, which took place over seven furlongs, although the local G2 event was overshadowed by a fatal injury to Age Of Gold. 

Charlie Appleby added: “Al Qudra improved for his first run of the season at Meydan and we came to Qatar with confidence. He is a tough little horse and we could look at something like the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, although we will get him back home and give him a well-deserved rest before making plans. 

“Unfortunately, Age Of Gold sustained a fatal injury in the race and my thoughts go to everyone involved with the horse.”

content font : Godolphin

ph.:  J u h a  i  m, M e d i a Q a t a r  R a c i n g & E q u e s t r i a n C l u b , D o h a – Q a t a r