By Tom Frary
Despite the absence of the King George hero Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) in Sunday's G1 Mehl-Mulhens-Stiftung Preis von Europa, the Cologne feature held up well with the two domestic Classic winners bidding to deny Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}–Minidress {GB}, by Street Cry {Ire}) a second edition of the prestigious mile-and-a-half contest. In the event, Godolphin's high-class stalwart was able to ward off all challenges and reproduce his 2022 success for a sixth win at the top level.
Last seen finishing best of those who raced near the hot pace in an attritional renewal of the King George in July, the veteran of the Breeders' Cup Turf and Dubai Sheema Classic was settled in fourth early by William Buick cruising along in waiting for the sprint to commence. Committed two out, the 3-5 favourite gained the edge soon after as the 22-1 shot Straight (Ger) (Zarak {Fr}) emerged to threaten the upset.
Perhaps idling in front, the homebred refused to let that outsider get closer than a neck in a pulsating finale, with Lordano (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) 2 3/4 lengths away in third as the G1 Deutsches Derby hero Palladium (Ger) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and G1 Preis der Diana heroine Erle (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}) failed to get involved.
“He's a real international superstar and everything was good for him today–the track was in good condition and today he showed what a tough horse he is,” Buick said. “It's never easy coming here, we respect the local horses and it's great to be back to win this again. He is probably better off a stronger pace, as he gets in his comfort zone but he knows how to win and always finds a way. He's an admirable horse, a great horse.”
Charlie Appleby added, “I think he will come forward for this, as we just eased off slightly after Ascot. We don't leave horses too short for group 1 races, but he wasn't quite as fit as he was heading into his last run. He is entitled to come on for this and we can look forward to the Breeders' Cup Turf.”
REBEL'S ROMANCE takes the G1 Mehl-Mülhens-Stiftung – 62. Preis von Europa🔥🤩 pic.twitter.com/ei9nzWxPTQ
— Deutscher Galopp (@DeutscherGalopp) September 22, 2024
Pedigree Notes
Rebel' Romance is out of the Listed Height of Fashion Stakes runner-up Minidress, who is also responsible for the stable's GI Manhattan Stakes and G1 Jebel Hatta winner and GI Sword Dancer Stakes runner-up Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}). A full-sister to the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy winner Volcanic Sky (GB), she is a daughter of the G3 Musidora Stakes winner and G1 Yorkshire Oaks runner-up Short Skirt (GB) (Diktat {GB}) who was also third in the G1 Oaks.
Short Skirt is a half to the G2 Prix de Pomone winner and dual group 1-placed Whitewater Affair (GB) (Machiavellian), in turn the dam of the triple group 1-winning Japanese champion Victoire Pisa (Jpn) (Neo Universe {Jpn}) and the G1 Yasuda Kinen scorer Asakusa Den'en (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}). The prized third dam Much Too Risky (GB) (Bustino {GB}) is also the ancestress of another Japanese champion in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies winner Robe Tissage (Jpn) (War Emblem), as well as the G3 Round Tower Stakes-winning sire Cappella Sansevero (GB) (Showcasing {GB}). Minidress's yearling is a full-brother to Rebel's Romance.
Sunday, Cologne, Germany
MEHL-MULHENS-STIFTUNG – 62ND PREIS VON EUROPA-G1, €155,000, Cologne, 9-22, 3yo/up, 12fT, 2:25.91, g/s.
1–REBEL'S ROMANCE (IRE), 132, g, 6, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Minidress (GB) (SP-Eng), by Street Cry (Ire)
2nd Dam: Short Skirt (GB), by Diktat (GB)
3rd Dam: Much Too Risky (GB), by Bustino (GB)
O/B-Godolphin; T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. €100,000. Lifetime Record: GISW-US, G1SW-UAE & HK, GSW & G1SP-Eng, GSW-Qat, 21-14-0-1, £7,127,084. *1/2 to Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}), GISW-US, G1SW-UAE, SP-Eng, $1,429,650. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Straight (Ger), 132, c, 4, Zarak (Fr)–Seductive (Ger), by Henrythenavigator. O/B-Gestut Karlshof (GER); T-Marian Falk Weissmeier. €30,000.
3–Lordano (Ger), 132, g, 5, Adlerflug (Ger)–Labrice (GB), by Dubawi (Ire).
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Gestut Ittlingen (GER); T-Marcel Weiss. €15,000.
Margins: NK, 2 3/4, HF. Odds: 0.60, 21.80, 4.10.
Also Ran: Trevaunance (Ire), Erle (Ger), Palladium (Ger).
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