'They gave me free rein' - Frankie Dettori steers globetrotting stalwart Rebel's Romance to his 20th career victory

Frankie Dettori guided Godolphin's globetrotting great Rebel's Romance to a 20th career win in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes at Aqueduct on Saturday.

The Charlie Appleby-trained seven-year-old took his top-level tally to eight when stretching clear in the home straight, having led for most of the way. 

Dettori held a prominent position in the early stages before moving into the lead with a circuit to go. He kicked entering the straight and his four rivals had no answer to the race-winning move as Redistricting denied Appleby's other runner, El Cordobes, second place.

Dettori got the call-up with Godolphin's retained jockey William Buick required at Newmarket, where he was successful in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes on Wise Approach. Billy Loughnane had ridden Rebel's Romance the time before in the Grosser Preis von Berlin, but he was also needed domestically for winning Royal Lodge favourite Bow Echo. 

• Watch: Dettori and Rebel's Romance win in New York

Appleby called up John Velazquez to partner El Cordobes, who had been successful at Grade 1 level on his first start in the US at Saratoga last month.

For Dettori, 54, it was another big success for Godolphin in New York, 24 years on from his memorable win on Fantastic Light in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Belmont Park, and it was a second Grade 1 winner this year for the now US-based jockey.

Victory increased the son of Dubawi's career earnings to more than £11.25 million, while it also avenged his defeat in the same race two years ago, when sent off odds-on before finishing fourth under Buick.

Rebel's Romance was cut to 4-1 (from 6) to become the first three-time winner of the Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar in November. He has also won the Yorkshire Cup and Hardwicke Stakes this season.

Appleby said: “I’m delighted with Rebel’s Romance, who keeps putting his rivals to the sword. It was a great ride from Frankie and it’s all systems go now towards the Breeders’ Cup.

“I was very pleased with El Cordobes as well, who is still learning and has done nothing wrong. I'm sure there are more races at this level in him.”

Charlie Appleby: enjoyed big-race success in Britain and America on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Dettori said: "I spoke to Charlie and said, ‘There's not a great deal of pace.’ Then William [Buick] said, ‘Look, it's better if he’s got something to aim at, but if they go too slow, you do your own thing.’ They gave me free rein.

"Flavien [Prat, on Redstricting] was going too slow, so I let him slide. He was doing it on his own rhythm and I know he stays, so halfway down the turn when I went through the gears, he went. I didn’t need anything more, I knew I was well clear. 

"What a lovely horse; a seven-year-old still competing at the highest level. He travels really well. For a big unit, he corners really well, and the inner track here can be really tricky."

Breeders' Cup Turf (Del Mar, November 1)
bet365: 7-2 Ombudsman, 4 Minnie Hauk, Rebel's Romance, 6 Calandagan, 9 Delacroix, 12 Goliath, Pride Of Arras, 16 bar.

Read these Saturday reports...

'He's head and shoulders above any colt we've trained' - Bow Echo cut to 10-1 for next season's 2,000 Guineas 

'It's never easy to watch' - Buick brilliance as favourite Wise Approach overcomes dramatic start to claim Group 1 

True Love new 1,000 Guineas joint-favourite after downing Cheveley Park rivals - but Aidan O'Brien expresses stamina concerns 

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