Wednesday 22 May 2019

Frankel Watch 2019: Fred to Make his Debut for Mark Johnston


Mark Johnston has made a promising start to the two-year-old season. Readers may have seen Misty Grey scorch home by seven lengths at Ripon. All the more impressive after this son of Dark Angel disappointed on debut at Lingfield. 

Taking a look at Juddmonte Frankel page, Mark Johnston has at least four Frankel two-year-olds in training (he probably has more but some are unnamed). 

These include three unnamed juveniles (two colts and one filly). Thankfully, the only named colt is Fred, who is entered to run at Ayr on Wednesday 2pm. 

This February foal is a chestnut son of Frankel out of a winning mare [Deirdre, who was trained by John Gosden]. Interesting to note that Fred cost 145,000 guineas at the yearling sales. That point alone is a matter for debate when you consider the stallion fee for Frankel is set at £175,000. This suggests Fred wasn't the pick of the crop as you would expect this youngster to have fetched well over the stallion fee. 

Alan J Burke looks to be a new owner to the racing game as I cannot see where he has had horses running in the last five years. 

Fred is worth noting as he has received a Class 2 Stakes entry, which suggests this colt has been showing up on the gallops. 

The betting suggests this juvenile is expected to run a big race being priced 2/1 at the time of writing. 

I often find Johnston's two-year-old debutantes' easy winners or poor losers. Fred is the first of this year's juvenile Frankel for Kingsley Park Stables. 

A horse to follow.