8-Year-Old Horse Racing Stars Shine: Rebel’s Romance & Romantic Warrior Win Big

Rebel’s Romance secured a coveted spot in the Dubai World Cup with a victory in the Group 2 Dubai City of Gold Stakes on Saturday, a highlight of Super Saturday at Meydan Racecourse. The win came amidst unexpected travel disruptions as airspace over the United Arab Emirates was temporarily closed, impacting those attending the races.

The eight-year-old gelding, trained by Charlie Appleby, finished 1 3/4 lengths ahead of his competitors, marking his 21st win from 31 starts. Although the victory earns Rebel’s Romance a place in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic, Appleby expressed caution regarding a potential start, stating, “He’s getting older, so it’s race-to-race. We’ll look after the old guy.”

Super Saturday also saw notable performances from other horses vying for spots in the Dubai World Cup. Meydaan, previously known as a turf marathon specialist, surprised onlookers with a win in the Group 2 Al Maktoum Classic on the dirt, securing his entry into the World Cup. Jockey William Buick, who also rode Rebel’s Romance, praised the move as “a brave move” that ultimately “paid off.”

Native Approach earned a start in the Group 1 Al Quoz Turf Sprint with a win in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint, despite having never previously raced at the 1,200-meter distance. El Nasseeb secured a place in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen with an upset victory in the Group 3 Mahab Al Shimaal, finishing one length ahead of Dark Saffron.

Quddwah punched his ticket to the Group 1 Dubai Turf with a 2 1/2-length win in the Group 2 Singspiel Stakes, while Commissioner King won the Group 3 Burj Nahaar, earning a spot in the Group 2 Godolphin Mile.

The program also featured two Guineas races. Title Role won the Jumeira 2,000 Guineas, edging out Godolphin runners Pacific Avenue and Talk of New York, while Piana took the Jumeira 1,000 Guineas by 1 1/4 lengths.

Elsewhere, in Hong Kong on Sunday, Romantic Warrior continued his impressive form with a dominant victory in the Group 1 City Hong Kong Gold Cup. The eight-year-old’s win extended his career earnings to approximately US$32.5 million, according to the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Trainer Danny Shum is considering a potential return to the Saudi Cup next season, potentially setting up a rematch with Forever Young, who finished second in the 2025 Saudi Cup.

Stormy Grove captured the Hong Kong Classic Cup, the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic series, after Little Paradise, the winner of the Hong Kong Classic Mile, faltered after a poor start.

In Australia, Observer, trained by Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin empire, secured his fourth consecutive win in the Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington. In Japan, Taisei Vogue won the Grade 2 Tulip Sho at Hanshin Racecourse, a key trial race for the Japanese 1,000 Guineas.