Rebel's Romance Denies Sammarco in Preis von Europa

Rebel's Romance  justified favoritism when getting the better of IDEE 153rd Deutsches Derby (G1) winner Sammarco  Sept. 25 to land the 60th Preis von Europa (G1) by three-quarters of a length under a patient ride from William Buick at Cologne.

Godolphin's son of Dubawi  added a second German group 1 to his resume after his success in last month's Westminster 132nd Grosser Preis von Berlin, both prizes won by leading Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) candidate Alpinista  in 2021.

Alaskasonne  and Andrasch Starke ensured there was no repeat of the slow pace seen in the Grosser Preis von Baden three weeks ago, a setup that seemed to suit Sammarco much better under Germany's champion jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev.

Rebel's Romance was sixth of the seven runners turning for home in the 1 1/2-mile contest, but Buick sent the gelding through an opening on the rail and his partner picked up stylishly to account for Sammarco, while Amazing Grace  stayed on to be third.

Buick said: "He was nice and relaxed. He showed in Hoppegarten last time that he has a turn of foot, and it's a long straight here. He's a better horse on faster ground, but he did it well."

Raced exclusively on the all-weather or dirt in his first seven starts, Rebel's Romance has thrived since being switched to the turf this past summer. The 4-year-old gelding has captured his last four starts, including the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate Glorious Stakes (G3) in England for trainer Charlie Appleby.