Rebel's Romance claims Grosser Preis von Berlin to register eighth G1 victory

Rebel's Romance recorded his eighth G1 victory and captured the Grosser Preis von Berlin for a second time as he comfortably beat Junko at Hoppegarten on Sunday.

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Godolphin's most decorated horse was returning to the German course having secured his first top-level success in the same race in 2022, the first of four G1 wins in the country.

A superb international campaigner, Rebel's Romance has also gone on to major victories in the United States, where he has won two editions of the G1 Breeders' Cup Turf, the UAE, Qatar, Hong Kong and the UK.

With Billy Loughnane coming in for the ride, Rebel's Romance broke alertly from his wide draw and the Charlie Appleby-trained seven-year-old tacked over to race in a length second behind Junko.

Rebel's Romance closed to within half a length of Junko leaving the back and loomed up on the outside to press for the lead at the top of the straight. Junko rallied after Rebel's Romance established a narrow advantage a furlong and a half out but could not respond to the Godolphin homebred in the closing strides, with three-quarters of a length separating the duo at the line.