Rebel’s Romance Seeks More Glory in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic

Godolphin’s star, a dual Breeders’ Cup Turf winner, headlines a small but high-class field at Belmont at the Big A, with year-end championship honors in sight

Rebel’s Romance Returns to the U.S. in Search of Another G1 Title / ASCOT

SOUTH OZONE PARK, New York (Special for Turf Diario).- The Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1, 12f, turf, $500,000) will be run Saturday at Belmont at the Big A, once again serving as the key autumn stop on the road to the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). Its history speaks volumes: six of its winners have gone on to repeat in the championship event, while many others have played starring roles in the race that crowns the world’s best stayers.

The 2025 renewal has drawn just six starters, but the quality runs deep, led by Rebel’s Romance (Dubawi), owned by Godolphin and trained by *Charlie Appleby. The 7-year-old, hero of the 2021 and 2023 editions of the Breeders’ Cup Turf and earner of more than $14 million, returned to top international form with a victory in the Grosser Preis von Berlin (G1) at Hoppegarten after finishing third in Ascot’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth (G1).

Rated at 122 pounds on the world stage, the bay will be seeking his 20th career victory and ninth at the G1 level. Frankie Dettori takes over from William Buick, hoping to erase the memory of a fourth-place finish as the favorite in this same race last year.

The blue team will also be represented by El Cordobés (Frankel), a $2.3-million yearling purchase who confirmed his lofty credentials with a sharp win in Saratoga’s Sword Dancer (G1). That day, under Flavien Prat, he finished best of all to defeat Rebel Red (Frankel) and Nations Pride (Teofilo). On Saturday, he will be ridden by John Velázquez, a multiple winner of the race, from the rail.

Lining up against them is the progressive Rebel Red, trained by Cherie DeVaux, who has flourished over the mile-and-a-half trip. Owned by Eurowest Bloodstock and breeder John Gunther, he is a full brother to G1 English winner Without Parole and a half to U.S. champion Tamarkuz (Speightstown). Runner-up in the Sword Dancer, he will have José Ortiz aboard.

The defending champion, Far Bridge (English Channel), returns for LSU Stables and trainer Miguel Clement, aiming to replicate the feat of his sire with back-to-back Joe Hirsch victories. With three G1 wins already on his résumé and a proven affinity for the Big A turf, he will be partnered by Joel Rosario from post 5.

Completing the lineup is Redistricting (Kingman), carrying the colors of Klaravich Stables for trainer Chad Brown. The United Nations (G2) winner continues to progress and will try 12 furlongs for the first time, with Prat taking the call from gate 2.

Though compact in size, the 2025 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic offers concentrated international class and promises a clash of generations, running styles, and training schools—with Rebel’s Romance standing as the marquee player as he looks to add another historic marker on the road to the Breeders’ Cup.