Rebel Favorite Secures Berlin's Top Award in Romance Category
In a thrilling display of equestrian prowess, English apprentice jockey Billy Loughnane made history by securing his first Group 1 race win aboard Rebel's Romance at the Grosser Preis von Berlin, held at the Hoppegarten racetrack in August 2025.
The season highlight attracted 11,900 spectators, with Rebel's Romance, a 12:10 favourite, finishing three-quarter lengths ahead of the French favourite Junko in the Group I race, worth 155,000 euros over 2,400 meters. Rebel's Romance is owned by Sheikh Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai, and is trained by Charlie Appleby in Newmarket, England.
Loughnane's ride on the seven-year-old world star was marked by strategic positioning and a strong finish, resulting in a narrow but decisive victory. The young jockey described the win as "a feeling of ecstasy," highlighting the significance of this achievement.
Beyond this landmark victory, Loughnane continued to enjoy success on the British racing scene, including winning the Listed EBF Highfield Farm Flying Fillies' Stakes and other races, showing his growing prominence in the sport.
The Grosser Preis von Berlin was not the only breeding race held at Hoppegarten that day. Koffi Kick, another horse, won the Arquana Stutenpreis, another breeding race worth 30,000 euros. Zerostress, a nine-year-old horse, also triumphed in the Hoppegarten Fliegerpreis, a breeding race worth 40,000 euros. However, no information was provided about the trainers or owners of the horses in the breeding races.
Horses from France, England, Poland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic participated in the breeding races, adding an international flavour to the event. Thore Hammer-Hansen, a Danish jockey, secured a win in the Steher-Preis with Waldadler, another breeding race worth 30,000 euros.
Loughnane's victory in the Grosser Preis von Berlin marks a significant milestone in his career, establishing him as a promising young jockey with achievements both in the UK and abroad.
Key Achievements:
| Achievement | Details | |---------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | All-Weather Champion Apprentice Jockey (UK) | 56 winners in the season, dominating the championship[1] | | First Group 1 win in Germany | Won Grosser Preis von Berlin on Rebel's Romance, August 2025[2][4][5] | | Continued success in UK races | Won Listed races and other notable prizes, including on Rosy Affair[3] |
[1] UK Racing News [2] Racing Post [3] At The Races [4] BloodHorse [5] Sporting Life
In the realm of horse-racing, Loughnane's victory in the Grosser Preis von Berlin was followed by a series of impressive performances, including winning the Listed EBF Highfield Farm Flying Fillies' Stakes. The international flavour of racing continued with several nations participating in other breeding races held at Hoppegarten that day, such as racing events like the Arquana Stutenpreis and the Steher-Preis.
