Rebel’s Romance was a popular winner back on home soil in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket.

No horse has given Charlie Appleby and William Buick more satisfaction than the eight-year-old, who has won all over the world.

Victories at the Breeders’ Cup, in Hong Kong, Dubai and Bahrain have seen him build up a huge following, but on his first outing since February he just began to tire in the closing stages.

Having taken up the running from stable companion Arabian Crown he looked sure to win easily, but Buick had to get serious with the 8/11 favourite and he hung on to win by half a length.

Appleby said: “It’s always satisfying to see a horse like him go out there and win – it’s like watching one of your kids go up and down in a relay race.

“I was always confident watching the race. When Doyler (James Doyle, on Arabian Crown) took a length or two out of him I thought ‘this wasn’t in the script’, but it was very similar to a bit of work he had here a few weeks ago when he was just going through the gears.

“He actually broke his turf maiden here (in the 2022 Fred Archer Stakes), which is when he taught me he was a turf horse rather than a dirt horse.

Summer target

“I thought it was fitting for him to come up here for his summer target. People asked why he wasn’t at Royal Ascot, but I felt that race (Hardwicke Stakes) was tough enough and also he was just coming.

“The team at home have done a great job and he’s been up here for a couple of gallops and he showed all the signs that he still wants it. I don’t think anyone would question that out there today.

“People are entitled to ask should a horse like him keep running, but if I was to leave him for second lot he’d be charging the door down and getting himself very wound up that he’d missed a bit of exercise or a gallop.

“He’ll tell us the day that he doesn’t want to do it anymore and he showed today that he still wants it. I’m not saying he’s as good as he was, but he’s still out there doing what he enjoys and that’s the main thing.”

Asked whether another crack at the Breeders’ Cup Turf was on the cards, for which he is 8/1 with Paddy Power, Appleby said: “Of course we’d love to go there, but I will say we’ll take it race by race. I’m not going to say he’s going here, there and everywhere.

“If he’s still showing as much enthusiasm next week as he did this week, it will be taken into consideration. I hope everyone has enjoyed today because he’s a horse that deserves all the recognition he’s got.

“I’m delighted for the whole team and everyone here today has got to see Rebel’s Romance. We all know what he’s done throughout his racing career and it’s great for him to be recognised as the champion he has been and in our hearts he still is.”

Lucky

Buick said: “We’re the lucky ones who get to work with him every day and get to see him every day. He came here today for his first race after a lay-off and he’s won his usual style – he was very determined and it’s great for people to be able to see him.

“He’s a very special horse. I went through his race record again yesterday just to remind myself and it is amazing and outstanding – very few horses compete at that level in so many different countries for such a long time.

“His career earnings, his career wins and his Group 1 wins – his CV is incredible and he’s got such charisma and presence about him as well.

“You saw today at the age of eight he’s still got it. I really mean it when I say for a horse like Rebel’s Romance to come along in my career is very special. Not many jockeys get horses like him and I’m very privileged.”