Charlie Appleby boosted his amazing Breeders Cup record with a double on Classic night.
The Newmarket trainer took his tally to nine winners from just 18 runners with Modern Games and Rebel’s Romance. Both horses showed their class and determination to thwart their rivals at Keeneland, where Flightline lived up to his star billing in the feature.
Fresh from Mischief Magic's comfortable length score in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint on Friday, Appleby was celebrating after Modern Games' (11-8f) gutsy late challenge. Favourite backers faced a few nervy moments when Will Buick's mount half fly jumped as the stalls opened and he was squeezed out after the start.
Britain's champion jockey had to bide his time in midfield and angled the chestnut out to challenge. He ran on well to overtake several FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile opponents to follow up his 2021 performance in the Juvenile Turf at Del Mar.
Then it was the turn of Rebel’s Romance (11-2), who made light work of the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf line-up. The one-time Belmont Stakes hope stormed up the stretch once straightened by James Doyle.
The four-year-old was two-and-a-quarter lengths in front of Stone Age at the line, a performance which gave his rider a first success at the meeting. Appleby said: “This horse is well travelled, he’s maturing and what he has done on turf has rejuvenated him and full credit for that goes to the team.
“I’m delighted to give James his first Breeders’ Cup winner – I was confident he would get the job done and it was a great ride to wrap it up." Aidan O'Brien made it three on the night for the overseas team with Tuesday (42-10) in the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
Circumstances went against their leading contender Nashwa, under Hollie Doyle – but the 2022 Oaks heroine came with a strong late run to take the spoils. The well-bred filly was driven to the front by Ryan Moore and finished a length in front of In Italian.
