Rebel's Romance wins the Breeders' Cup Turf is damaged by horse death

Rebel's Romance won the Breeders' Cup Turf for the second time on Saturday, holding out against Rousham Park to win narrowly and giving British trainer Charlie Appleby his third victory in the $5 million race.

Jockey William Buick – who got out when Rebel's Romance won the 2022 Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland in Kentucky – dropped his horse just off the pace, took the lead into the final turn and held off a late attack by the Japanese Raider Rousham Park the Del Mar racetrack in California.

Japan's Shahryar finished third, but the race had a grim aftermath when French-born, Brian Meehan-trained contender Jayarebe collapsed after the finish line and died.

Track officials said in a statement that Jayarebe “appeared to have suffered a heart attack while galloping.”

Jockey Sean Levey was uninjured.

Appleby said seeing Jayarebe go down made him appreciate Rebel's Romance even more.

“You appreciate it when a horse like him does it at six years old,” he said. “It shows how tough they really are. If they enjoy it like they’re his age, still going out there and doing it at the highest level.”

While both Conduit and High Chaparral had two turf wins each in consecutive years, Rebel's Romance became the first team to record a second win after a year's absence.

Rebel's Romance now has five wins in six starts this year, four of those wins coming in the group or in one outing each.

The world-traveling gelding has won victories in England, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Hong Kong and Germany

“Everyone loves him,” Appleby said. “But he also built this great fan base, this global base. We see them all over the world.”

Rebel's Romance broke out at the 11th post and prevailed as Cabo Spirit took an early lead.

He had moved into second place in the mile and was leading by as much as 3 1/2 lengths in the final quarter-mile.

“He was a little competitive when I first brought him forward, but then he found this wonderful rhythm that he's so used to, where he's pushing forward powerfully, but he's within himself,” Buick said . “From then on it was actually a very straightforward race for him.”

BB/RCW