Rebel's Romance wins Breeders' Cup Turf in race marred by death of Jayarebe
Rebel's Romance won the Breeders' Cup Turf on Saturday, giving trainer Charlie Appleby a first as the six-year-old became the first horse to win the $5 million (£3.8m) race twice but in non-consecutive years.
Jockey William Buick - who opted out of the ride when Rebel's Romance won the 2022 Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland in Kentucky - settled his mount just off the pace, grabbing the lead on the final turn and holding off a late charge from Japanese raider Rousham Park at the Del Mar racetrack in California.
Japan's Shahryar finished third, but there was a bleak postscript to the race as European contender Jayarebe, trained by Brian Meehan and ridden by Sean Levey, collapsed just after the finish line and was pronounced dead.
On-call veterinarian Al Ruggles told broadcaster NBC that the cause of death was suspected to be a "cardiac event".
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