Frankel 2yos for Clive Cox Flat Turf Season 2021

Clive Cox is a quietly spoken man who lets his horses do the talking. 

Taking a look at last year's two-year-olds he knows his horses and places them exceptionally well. 

Let's take a look at the Frankel two-year-old for Clive Cox this Flat turf season 2021. 

Surac is a son of Frankel out of a French-raced mare who cost £130,000 at the yearling sales. This bay colt was bred by Rockhart Trading Ltd. He is a full brother to Old Glory who cost a giant 1,600,000 euros, who made a winning debut at Naas (2018) when in training with Aidan O'Brien. At the time of writing, this colt has raced nine times and won prize money of £45,871. This colt is now in training with  H Al Ramzani at Doha, the capital of Qatar. 

I see that Clive has another Frankel colt, at present unnamed. This son of Frankel, out of the mare One Last Dance, bred by Fairway Thoroughbreds. 

When you consider Cox trained Nando Parrado (pictured) went to Royal Ascot and won the Coventry Stakes (Group 2) at odds of 150/1, you don't need to think what he can do with a few Frankel offspring. 

Good look to connections. 

Frankel Watch: 2019 Irish Classic Race Entrants

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. 

Related stories: East Looks Westward to Breeders' Cup 

Frankel Watch: A New Week

Not too much to talk about of late. 

Well, two-year-old Frankel offspring, which this website is dedicated. We've seen a number of high-profile juvenile races over the last week or so but a distinct lack of the great sire himself. 

Let's take a quick look at the 2yo entries for the week. 



Monday - 1:55 Gowran Park 

King's Vow makes a return for Joseph O'Brien after showing little on debut. This bay colt finished down the field in 9th place when racing over course and distance. This March foal was priced 9/1. The betting [20/1] suggests he has something to prove. 

Wednesday - 2:20 Bath 

Interesting to see how Gantier goes on debut here for John Gosden. This bay gelding is a son of Frankel out of a French-winning mare who concluded her career racing at Listed class. Clearly, this youngster is looking for a test of stamina starting at 1m 2f. 

Wednesday - 2:30 Nottingham 

John Gosden sends out the twice-raced Mehdaayih who has been a beaten favourite when finishing sixth and second, respectively. This bay filly was given a significant entry but it looks like connections need to lower their sights for the moment. The mare wasn't up to much and didn't win in her racing career when trained by Clive Brittain. Stepping up by half a furlong. Will most likely start favourite. Connections will be hoping she can win and be a broodmare. That looks well within her capabilities.

Friday - 5:15 Haydock 

Fume has proven to be a disappointing horse this season. Crashed out on debut when favourite and struggled ever since. Ralph Beckett has been in fine form of late so he will be hoping a bit of sparkle can rub off onto this gelding who has an official rating of 69. A homebred who most certainly would have been better off going to the yearling sales. 

Saturday - 4:05 Doncaster 

It will be interesting to see if Old Glory runs in the Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes (Group 1) after looking less than impressive when second at odds-on to Joseph O'Brien's No Needs Never at Dundalk on the 5th October. With forty-nine still declared you wouldn't hold your breath on seeing him take part. Fox Vardy is entered in this race for Martyn Meade. Has proven very disappointing in two starts to date. Neither of these look like putting Frankel in the news for this high-profile race. 

Related stories: Fume Fails to Shine

Frankel Watch: Old Glory Heads to Dundalk for O'Brien

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.