It's still slow work with a distinct lack of Frankel two-year-olds. Well, perhaps I should say Frankel debutantes (there is one, so fingers crossed). There are three or four with experience entered to go this week. Here's a quick rundown. Fume, trained by Ralph Beckett: This bay son of Frankel has been a bitter disappointment on two starts to date. A very poor/disappointing effort on debut at Doncaster when made 15/8f. He finished eleventh of fourteen. He was relatively fancied next star when 6/1 at Newbury over 6f. Not beaten a country mile but still only fifth of six. Interesting to see if those two efforts were disappointing or simply hiding a decent type who hasn't had much luck. Racing in the ownership of Mr and Mrs David Ackroyd, connections are stepping this colt up in distance. Fume has two entries: Sunday:
(Overnight) at Leicester British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (7f)
Tuesday, 14 August 2018 - 2:45
(Four day) at Ffos Las Download The Free At The Races App Novice Stakes (7½f)
Dombra, trained by Hugo Palmer: This January foal and bay son of Frankel is a home-bred in the ownership of V I Araci. He has been relatively fancied on all four starts to date over 7f. The best effort coming back in June when runner-up at Salisbury to Forseti. Ran poorly on his third start, then 7th last time out when attempting a Nursery on an official rating of 80. Now dropped 3lb and stepping up in distance, this colt is becoming disappointing. Dombra has one entry: Monday, 13 August 2018 - 6:30
(Overnight) at Windsor Prosecco At Venus Wine And Spirits Nursery Handicap (1m) Cap Francais, trained by Ed Walker: Walker has a couple of decent two-year-olds this season so if fancied in the betting it would be a positive. This bay colt is a son of Frankel out of a twice-run, limited mare. He is owned and bred by John Pearce Racing Ltd. Cap Francais has two entries:
Tuesday, 14 August 2018 - 2:45
(Four day) at Ffos Las Download The Free At The Races App Novice Stakes (7½f)
Friday, 17 August 2018 - 1:50
(Five day) at Newbury Don Deadman Memorial EBF Maiden Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (7f)
Fox Premier, trained by Andrew Balding: This son of Frankel has raced once for Balding in the ownership of King Power Racing Co Ltd. This 700,000 guinea yearling purchase made his debut at Sandown over 7f, priced 11/4. He finished 6th, beaten over eight lengths, steadily outpaced behind a few capable sorts. Clearly better was expected and there should be more forthcoming on this second start. A Champagne Stakes (Group 2) entry adds to confidence. Fox Premier has three entries:
Friday, 17 August 2018 - 1:50
(Five day) at Newbury Don Deadman Memorial EBF Maiden Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (7f)
Saturday, 15 September 2018 - 3:00
(Early closer) at Doncaster Howcroft Industrial Supplies Champagne Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings) (7f)
Saturday, 01 June 2019 - 4:30
(Early closer) at Epsom Investec Derby (Group 1) (Entire Colts & Fillies) (1m4f)
So we are still waiting for a top-class Frankel 2yo to hit the track this season.
Dubai Beauty is a bay filly and daughter of Frankel out of a mare named Minidress who was trained by disgraced Mahmood Al Zarooni. She raced just four times in her career: twice at two and a couple of outings at three. She won easily by four lengths when making her debut over 7f at Newmarket. Then ran a very respectable race when fourth, beaten two lengths, in the Sahkee Oh So Sharp Stakes (Group 3) at Newmarket. Returning at three, she contested the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) where she finished 9th, beaten just over five lengths. Dropping back down to Listed class in her final racecourse appearance when stepping up to 1m 2f at Goodwood losing by a neck. Dubai Beauty is a home bred for Godolphin. She has received a number of entries for this week and looks likely to be hitting the track. 3 Racecourse entries: Thursday 7f Newbury Thursday 7f Ascot Friday 7f Thirsk
Other Frankel two-year-olds to run this week may include: 1:50 Sandown (Thursday, 26th) Cap Francais trained by Ed Walker in the ownership of John Pearce Racing Ltd. This home bred is out of the mare Miss Cap Ferrat (18 year old mare) who was trained by Geoff Wragg. She raced twice, showing limited ability. 6:40 Newmarket (Friday, 27th) Dombra trained by Hugo Palmer. Raced three times, going close on his second start but somewhat disappointing last time out.
A few more of Frankel's offspring are getting ready to hit the track.
Interesting to see Ralph Beckett has a prized Frankel two-year-old entered to run at 2:50 Doncaster, 12th July in the 6f (2y) Napoleons Casino and Restaurant Sheffield EBF Maiden Stakes (Class 5) on good to firm going. Fume is a bay colt out of the mare Puff. This home bred races in the familiar silks of Mr & Mrs David Aykroyd. The mare [Puff] raced eleven times when trained by Ralph Beckett. She won on debut. Winning at Group 3 but contested Group 1. She raced from six furlongs to one mile and achieved a highest official rating of 108. Perhaps her best performance was seen at two when finishing fourth in the Cheveley park Stakes (Group 1) at Newmarket beaten just over three lengths. Total earnings of just over £80,000. Fume has Harry Bentley booked to ride. He has another entry for Friday (13th July). Also, on Friday, Dombra, trained by Hugo Palmer, is entered to run at Newmarket over 7f. He went very close second start at Salisbury when beaten a short head after showing ability on debut.
Frankel-sired two-year-olds have been kept under wraps this Flat turf season. A few whispers here and there about costly purchases ready to hit the track. However, we still await the first of the crop to make their mark. Hugo Palmer has sent out a few two-year-olds this season but one of his better prospects could be seen at (7:25) Haydock on Thursday 13th June. Dombra is one of twenty-seven entries at the first declaration stage for the Apropos Architecture in Glass Novice Stakes (Plus 10 race) (Class 4) (2yo) over 7f (6f 212y). The going is forecast as good to firm. Check out this photo of Dombra as a foal. Check the race declaration here. This son of Frankel is out of the mare Chigun who won four times from thirteen start for Sir Henry Cecil, winning at Group 3, contested Group 1 and achieved a highest official rating of 114. Generally, racing over 1 mile, she had total prize earning of £77, 829. This January foal is a home bred racing in the familiar silks of V I Araci. Note: Dombra has an entry for Friday. Click here to see. Watch Hugo Palmer's Stable Tour
As yet, no Frankel two-year-olds have hit the track but there is little doubt these potentially smart juveniles are flying up the gallops. Taking a look at Juddmonte website, I can see a number of offspring have been named and trainers identified. Exciting times. This website Frankel Horse Racing Blog will be used to detail the majority of two-year-olds as they make their debuts, race at pattern class and all those lofty plans. So which trainers have two-year-olds? Here are a couple of outstanding trainers with plenty to look forward Hugo Palmer & James Fanshawe. Hugo Plamer - Dombra. Born 11th January 2016. This bay colt is out of the mare, Chigun, who was trained by Lady Cecil in the ownership of V I Araci. She raced 13 times, winning 4 races including Group 3 success and racing at Group 1. She achieved an official rating of 114. Total prize winnings of £77,829. James Fanshawe - It Had To Be You Born 28th February 2016. This bay colt is out of the mare Fallen For You. Bred by Normandie Stud Ltd. Trained by John Gosden, she raced just seven times achieving three wins. A smart debut effort when 5/2f under the riding of William Buick. The pinnacle of her career winning the Coronation Stakes Group 1 at Royal Ascot. Achieving an official rating of 116 and total prize earnings of £183, 240. Review more two-year-olds here.
