REBEL’S ROMANCE cruised to his 21st career win in the CITY OF GOLD Stakes (G2) on Super Saturday at Meydan racecourse in Dubai, all while missiles dropped bombs some 100 km away.
It was surprising that racing went on at Meydan just hours after the United States launched an attack on Iran early Saturday morning (Eastern). Trainer Jamie Osbourne told Thoroughbred Daily News that Saturday’s racing, held in late afternoon in Dubai, was “surreal” as they could see missiles being hit out of the air.
Some trainers said occasional ‘loud bangs’ were heard, but that horses seemed unfazed.
As of Monday morning (Eastern) there were still jockeys and trainers stranded in Dubai as the airport had been closed due to damage and flights cancelled. Jockey Oisin Murphy was in Dubai and is scheduled to ride in Barbados this coming Saturday.
Rebel’s Romance, the remarkable eight-year-old owned by Godolphin and trained by Charlie Appleby, led most of the way through 2,410 metres under William Buick to win the qualifying race for the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup Day, March 28.
The nine-time Group 1 winner had seven rivals in the turf contest, but traveled ominously well throughout, going into the lead off the home turn and holding off Fort George by a length and a half.
“It takes a lot for me to get emotional, but I love him,” said trainer Charlie Appleby. “I had my heart in my mouth just wanting him to get round safely.
“He’s just been a rockstar and we wanted to bring him here to show everyone what a great racehorse he is and he’s shown it again tonight.”
While the City Of Gold offers qualification to the Sheema Classic – which Rebel’s Romance won in 2024 – for the winner, but Appleby was cautious about committing the gelding to the race.
“It’s a nice conversation to have, but we will take it race by race,” he said. “He’s an old boy and we’re going to look after him.”
While the Super Saturday card went ahead as planned, the Emirates Racing Authority postponed the March 1 card at Jebel Ali until March 15.
There is also a racing festival in Bahrain on March 5 and 6 that officials are hopeful can take place.
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