Charlie Appleby's elite horse racing team gears up for the Breeders' Cup, as Rebel's Romance seeks a repeat Turf victory, while Notable Speech and a promising juvenile duo aim to make a strong impact.
Returning champion Rebel's Romance and the 'very dangerous' Notable Speech are set to lead Charlie Appleby's small but distinguished team at the Breeders' Cup next week. Rebel's Romance, the globetrotting star, is aiming to reclaim the Breeders' Cup Turf title he won in 2022 after an outstanding season where he secured Group One victories in Dubai, Hong Kong, and Germany, as well as a commendable third-place finish in the King George at Ascot. Appleby is confident that the six-year-old will be a 'big player' on Saturday week.
Rebel's Romance is recognized as an international star. He has consistently performed well throughout the year, including his performance at Ascot where he gained significant recognition despite the defeat, Appleby mentioned at Newmarket on Wednesday. We decided to give him a short break. Although we considered a trip to America, we chose to stay closer to home for a race he previously won in Germany, which set the stage for another Breeders' Cup victory.
We understand the importance of the draw at Del Mar or Santa Anita, but over a mile and a half, there is a little more flexibility, which allows for a more comfortable race strategy. If he arrives in good condition, he will be a strong competitor.
Notable Speech is determined to make his mark in the Breeders' Cup Mile after encountering challenges following his remarkable 2000 Guineas win in May, which came after three straight victories on the Polytrack at Kempton Park. Despite facing difficulties in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Prix du Moulin at ParisLongchamp, he achieved success in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. Appleby, who has claimed victory in the last three editions of the Mile, is optimistic that Notable Speech will demonstrate his full potential at Del Mar.
Notable Speech's main challenge will be the travel and acclimatization during the week. He’s typically well-behaved once he leaves his stable, almost like a pony, but he does put some pressure on himself, Appleby noted. What we learned at Longchamp was positive; he traveled well and settled in nicely, and we discovered he doesn’t perform well on soft ground, making it clear we would head straight to the Breeders' Cup afterward. If he receives a favorable draw and has a good week, he will be very competitive, especially since we’ve been looking forward to this since Kempton and prior to the Guineas.
Appleby is planning a two-horse strategy for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, with Al Qudra and his stablemate Aomori City competing. He is also entering two runners in the Filly & Mare Turf. Speaking about his juvenile pair, Appleby mentioned, 'I honestly can't distinguish between them based on their performance on the track; it might come down to the draw. William (Buick) and I have discussed this in detail, and it's a challenging decision for him. He might choose either horse and face an unfavorable draw or, if fortunate, get a favorable one and enhance their chances. Neither horse is particularly outstanding in the field, but both have plenty of experience, and one has raced in America before.'
Cinderella's Dream and Beautiful Love are set to represent Appleby in the Filly & Mare category. Both have experience racing in the U.S. Cinderella's Dream has a higher profile, having won a Grade One race and clinching a Grade Two victory in her most recent outing. I believe she will be a strong contender. The other filly is well-suited for the distance and deserves her place in the lineup, having achieved a Grade Three win and having been unfortunate in her last race.
Completing Appleby's team for the two-day event is Star Of Mystery in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. "Star Of Mystery is very reliable. She was narrowly defeated recently and might have been a bit unlucky, but I saw it as a valuable learning experience leading up to the Breeders' Cup. She's small, fast, and has now gained important experience racing in the U.S. It will always be more challenging to compete against colts and older horses, but she has proven her worth with impressive performances, including her efforts in the Al Quoz, and she deserves her spot in this race."
