Rebel’s Romance back in Germany for G1 Preis von Europa

International superstar Rebel’s Romance returns to Germany as he attempts to win the G1 Preis von Europa for a second time on Sunday, 22 September.

The son of Dubawi captured the Cologne highlight during an outstanding unbeaten turf campaign in 2022, a season that also yielded top-level victories in the Grosser Preis von Berlin and Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Following an interrupted 2023, Rebel’s Romance has roared back to his best this year with dominant displays in the G3 H H The Amir Trophy in Qatar, the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup Night and Hong Kong’s G1 Champions & Chater Cup.

Rebel’s Romance acquitted himself well on a rare UK appearance in the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July, when he kept on in third behind Goliath and Bluestocking.

His trainer Charlie Appleby said: “Rebel’s Romance heads back to Germany in great shape and we are hoping this can be a springboard for the Breeders’ Cup again. Goliath not running changes the complexion of the race slightly, although we still have two German Classic winners in the field receiving a lot of weight from the older horses. You always have to respect the opposition at this level, but Rebel’s Romance has won this race before and can hopefully go and do it again.”

Whispering Dream also heads back to Germany for the G3 Kolner Sprint Trophy on the same card, with the Henri-Alex Pantall-trained filly having put up strong performances in the country on her last two starts.

Having easily won the Listed Konrad Werner Wille-Memorial in July, Whispering Dream went down by half a length to Al Shabab Storm in last month’s G3 Goldene Peitsche.