Mehl-Mulhens-Stiftung - 62nd Preis von Europa (Group 1)

GODOLPHIN Group 1 winners have been thin on the ground this summer in Europe, but Rebel’s Romance picked up one for the team in winning the Group 1 Preis von Europa at Cologne for a second time, his third Group 1 win in Germany.

The six-year-old Dubawi gelding also has Group/Grade 1 wins in Meydan, Keeneland and Sha Tin to his name, with this his sixth win at top level.

Ridden by William Buick, Rebel’s Romance settled in the middle of the six runners, as the Jessica Harrington-trained Trevaunance made the running at a steady pace under Shane Foley.

Persistent challenge

Buick switched Rebel’s Romance into the clear three furlongs out and they went to the front inside the final quarter of a mile, but had to be ridden to repel the persistent challenge of Straight, who was held by a neck at the line.

The winner got an appreciative welcome back to unsaddle and Buick said afterwards: “Rebel’s Romance is winning the race for a second time and he’s a real international superstar. Today he showed what a tough horse he is and, whenever we come to Germany, we respect the local horses, as it’s never easy.

Pretty slow

“The pace was pretty slow today and he’s a horse who gets into a comfort zone. He’s a high-class horse and he knows how to win – he always finds a way. He’s a great horse.”

Trevaunance finished fourth, while the German Derby winner Palladium was last of the six.

Rebel’s Romance had finished third, beaten five and a half lengths, in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot behind Goliath and Bluestocking.

The race had been the intended target for Goliath, but he was ruled out with a foot abscess.