By royal appointment: Rebel’s Romance runs away with Sheema Classic for Godolphin

By royal appointment: Rebel’s Romance runs away with Sheema Classic for Godolphin

$6,000,000 Group 1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic
Rebel’s Romance emerged a clear-cut winner to maintain an excellent run for Godolphin in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic.
In what developed into a tactical contest in which very few horses were involved, the hardy six-year-old was handing HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s operation its fourth victory in the 2410m turf classic since 2017, with Jack Hobbs, Hawkbill and Old Persian striking in consecutive years.
It was a record fifth win in the race for jockey William Buick, who was able to keep it pretty simple. Point Lonsdale bounced into the lead from the outset and dictated a steady pace as Buick tailed him in second, with Shahryar following at a respectable distance.
With 600m remaining, that trio had a sizeable advantage from the chasing pack and Rebel’s Romance appeared to be travelling the best, swiftly kicking clear over the final 300m and ultimately passing the post two lengths in front. 
Shahryar clung on for second with keenly-anticipated fellow Japanese challenger Liberty Island doing best of the closers in third. Derby winner Auguste Rodin was always to the rear and finished last.
Rebel’s Romance, a winner of the UAE Derby at this fixture in 2021 as well