I have mentioned how disappointed I have been with Frankel's 2yo offspring this season (2018). Bar one or two horses, it really has been a poor year with more horses floundering at nursery level that hitting the headlines with Pattern race success. I don't think one Frankel 2yo achieved that racing domestically. Kevin Ryan's East won at Group 3 at France. Let's have a quick look at the Frankels entered for the 1000 & 2000 Irish Guineas. I'll detail more about the Epsom Derby at a later date. So who do we have entered for the early Irish Classics? As you can imagine, it is a limited number. 1m Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas (Group 1) (Entire Colts & Fillies) (3yo) (25th May 2019) At present, there are 96 entrants so we have the world and his wife looking at this race. In fact, we only have one entrant for this race. Old Glory, trained by Aidan O'Brien. This son of Frankel got off to a flying start but had to settle for placed efforts next two starts at pattern class. Considering Aidan O'Brien has almost 30 entrants you really get a feel for the strength and depth of this stable. When you consider he has almost a third of the entrants. By all accounts, Old Glory will need to have some form of transformation to figure as a major hope. The fillies race is, perhaps, a little more interesting.
1m Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas (Group 1) (Fillies) (3yo) (26th May 2019) We have three Frankel entrants for this Classic. In fact, three high-profile trainers. Elizabeth Way is a daughter of Frankel, trained by M. Halford. This homebred in the ownership of Godolphin wasn't fancied on her debut at Naas and finished seventh. Needs to progress a lot to even register as a hope. It's good to see Saeed bin Suroor shine this season, from under the shadow of Charlie Appleby. Dubai Beauty has raced three times and another filly who needs a touch of inspiration to make the line up here. She won well on debut at Newmarket. The disappointed favourite when unplaced at Doncaster when contesting Group 2. Then, similarly, unplaced in seventh at Longchamp, France, when battling at Group 1. She wasn't beaten any real distance, less than three lengths behind at the line. The most interesting of the trio is Kevin Ryan's East, who was one of the few juveniles to pepper the headlines here and across the pond. A narrow victory on debut when racing over six furlongs. Then a smart win over seven furlongs at Group 3 at Saint-Cloud, France. There was excitement about her final start of the season when travelling to the United States competing at Churchill Downs in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies' Turf (Grade 1). Chad C. Browns' Newspaperofrecord who is supreme fashion by a lengthy six-and-three-quarter length. East ran on at the finish to nab second place. One of the more likely chances and real chance for Frankel to shine as a sire for this Classic. We will take a look at the English Guineas when the entrants are made.
Venue: Dundalk Date: 5th October 2018 Horse: Old Glory, trained by Aidan O'Brien 7f iCopy Irish EBF Star Appeal Stakes (Listed Race) (2yo) Interesting to see how Old Glory goes on this second start. This British-bred son of Frankel is out of a mare who raced just four times for Freddie Head in France. This March foal cost a whopping 1,600,000 euros at the yearling sales. Old Glory made his debut at Naas when a 6/4f. Race comment detailed: ''Chased leaders, travelled well into 2nd 2f out, pressed leader approaching final furlong, led final 150yds and pushed clear under hands and heels closing stages (op 7/4 tchd 15/8)'' Looks a tough horse to beat and with a bright future.
With the Flat turf season on the horizon, punters may be holding ante-post wagers (keen to see if the price has shortened) or just intrigued to see how the market is shaping up. Frankel Blog is only interested in one aspect of this Classic taking place at Newmarket on Saturday 5th May 2018. Obviously, it is those three-year-olds sired by Frankel. I wasn't sure how many colts/fillies would hold an entries at this stage. Four horses: Without Parole A colt trained by John Gosden and impressive six-length winner at 8/13f. This fine prospect is owned by John & Tanya Gunther. [No odds for 2000 Guineas] Elarqam This well-bred son of Frankel is out of star performer Attraction, who won the 1000 Guineas among many notable races. Elarqam has won both his two starts to date (10/11f & 11/8f). A lovely debut effort when staying on strongly at York. Then ''eased close home'' when taking the Tattersalls Stakes (Group 3) at Newmarket. Both races where over 7f. He is priced 14/1 to win the 2000 Guineas for Mark Johnston in the ownership of Hamdan Al Maktoum. Red Mist This three-year-old is out of the dam Red Dune. Simon Crisford managed to get a short-head win from this bay colt on debut. He lost by a short-head when stepping up to Listed class at Newbury over 7f. Red Mist ran out a sterling effort when fourth of seven, beaten just over four lengths, in the Champagne Stakes (Group 2) at Doncaster. A fair effort considering this February foal was keen.[No odds for 2000 Guineas]
Herculean Roger Charlton is a class trainer and very selective with Group entries at two. It is worth noting this son of Frankel who is out of African Rose, made his winning debut at Ascot in September. Never a bad sign for this stable and leading owner K Abdullah. The 11/10f was giving a ''promising'' tag when beating Wadilsafa who has a reputation himself as a talented horse. Herculean is priced 25/1 to win the 2000 Guineas. Saxon Warrior is favourite at 5/1. This son of Deep Impact - trained by Aidan O'Brien - has won all three starts to date including the Racing Post Trophy Stakes (Group 1). He has achieved prize winning of £191,937.
