Ripper of a Rebel

Irish Rebel lived up to expectations of his future in Singapore on Sunday with an impressive win at Kranji.

On the back of a mind boggling eight rides for eight wins on Friday, champion Singapore jockey Joao Moreira elected to ride Irish Rebel and there is no question that the 'Moreira Magic' played its part in his impressive 2.5 length victory.

Moreira settled his charge in fifth and as they turned for home in the $55,000 Class 4 1400m, he manoeuvered the gelding into free space and with one click he was up and gone, 58kgs and all.

The striking looking son of Danehill Dancer out of the Zabeel mare Ballycairn was purchased by David Ellis from the draft of Cambridge Stud at the Karaka Premier Sale.

He showed early on in his career that he was a talented colt when winning a premier 2YO race over 1100m on debut at Manawatu, beating subsequent stakes' performer Choice Bro by 3.3 lengths.

At just his second start, his greeness got the better of him in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes on New Year's Day at Ellerslie - yet his raw ability saw him still finish second to stablemate, and subsequent Champion 2YO of that year, Warhorse.

His next two starts were also in 2YO stakes' races and after being awkwardly away and badly hampered, he rallied to be fourth in the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes at Trentham in January.  In February he again was inconvenienced early in the Listed Matamata Slipper but fought well to finish second.

Irish Rebel's final 2YO start was in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes and again he raced well, finishing a close up fourth.

So in Irish Rebel's first five starts (all at two) produced his winning debut and four stakes' placings!

Unfortunately his hormones were going to get the better of him during his 3YO season and the decision had to be taken to geld him and send him to our stable in Singapore to race.  There has had made immediate impact with six starts producing Sunday's win, two second and one third placing.

Keep an eye on our Rebel (pictured below at Karaka with David) - there is plenty more to come from him.