Frankel Blog likes to keep you informed of the present as well as the long-term plans of Frankel two-year-olds (2yo) which make their mark on our radar.
Images of us sitting at the bottom of the sea in an old, rusty submarine with FRANKEL written on the side. A dash of white, pink and green to show our patronage. Lucky barnacle-encrusted horseshoe sitting at the stern for those who follow in our wake.
Often, we detail horses here and there. However, this next few days we could be in for a Frankel spectacular to tantalise even the most subdued of readers.
I hear you say: ''What's he talking about?''
Well, starting today we have potentially four Frankel two-year-old ready to roll. Our radar has been bleeping like Alan Bailey on a cold winter's morning.
Thursday:
1:45 Sandown -
We have the Mark Johnston-trained Unresolved making his debut. This bay colt is one of eight two-year-olds to race over the 7f trip with Silvestre De Sousa booked to ride. Presently priced 5/1. It will be interesting to see how Saif Ali's April foal starts his racing career.
Friday:
1:50 Ascot -
I'm quite excited by this relatively expensive Frankel filly named Queen Daenerys, trained by Roger Varian. Carlburg Stables have done well this season with Daahyeh, who won the Albany Stakes (Group 3) at Royal Ascot, and owner H H SH Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa will be expecting a bold show from this $500,000 yearling purchase.
2:10 Thirsk -
Readers will remember we pointed out another of Mark Johnston's Frankel flying machines named Frankel's Storm, in the ownership of Nick Bradley Racing 13. I must thank Nick and a number of the syndicate for sharing our post on Twitter. I'm sure connections were a little bit disappointed with the first run at Newmarket where she finished seventh of eight. I don't think she was well served by a wide draw, running more down the centre of the track, as it didn't look the best place to be with some bias. This looks a prime opportunity.
You may be saying: ''I've heard about these Frankels in previous posts. So you have. However, you haven't heard about this next colt whose been flying up the gallops for Ralph Beckett.
Saturday:
2:15 Newmarket (Also, has an entry for Monday at Ffos Las)
Jacksonian is in the ownership of Mr Frankel himself K Abdullah. This chestnut colt is a son of Frankel, an April foal, out of an unraced mare Kalima.
Good luck to connections.
I'm sure we've used this blog post title before.
Top Top is running tomorrow at Lingfield (3:00). This son of Frankel is trained by Ralph Beckett in the ownership of King Power Racing Co Ltd. The mare, Jira, won twice in her career, achieving Listed-class success. Top Top wasn't fancied in the betting when a 33/1 shot. He ran over one mile at Newmarket, almost ten lengths behind Turgenev who is top class. This 260,000 guineas yearling purchase needs to have improved for that first outing. That is likely. Interesting to see how he goes after well over a month on the sidelines.
Nothing abusive here.
We are only interested in pure Frankel.
So, what's all this about the C word. Just a couple of Frankel two-year-olds declared to run on Saturday, both at Haydock.
1:30 Haydock -
1m (1m37y) Smarkets British EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Class 5) (2yo)
Ralph Beckett has at least three Frankel two-year-olds this season. Our recent post about Top Top and Fume who hasn't shown too much ability as yet.
Chartered is a homebred daughter of Frankel is out of a winning but limited mare. Chartered was fancied in the betting when making her debut at Newmarket over 7f. She finished a creditable fourth behind Sir Michael Stoute's Layaleena, who disappointed next time out under a penalty. The form of that debut has been franked by a number of horses including Dandhu, Canton Queen, Mot Juste & Imperial Charm.
Interesting to see how Chartered goes here. Stepping up to one mile should help.
2:40 Haydock -
1m (1m37y) Smarkets British EBF Novice Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Colts & Geldings) (Class 4) (2yo)
Ed Walker has a small string of two-year-olds but he does remarkably well with them and excellent at placing his horses. Cap Francais is a bay son of Frankel out of a limited filly named Miss Cap Ferrat, trained by Geoff Wragg, back in the day. Cap Francais won well next start at Salisbury shooting clear by three-and-a-quarter lengths at odds of 8/13f. Has to defy a win penalty.
We saw a nice Frankel two-year-old win earlier this week when East proved a live prospect for Kevin Ryan.
Looking at the declarations I see Ralph Beckett has Top Top earmarked for 1st October at Kempton (6:45).
This bay colt is a son of Frankel out of Jira who was trained by Clive Brittain and raced fifteen times with two wins. Both successes came at two, including a Listed race victory. Total prize money of just over £77,000. A highest official rating of 100.
Top Top cost 260,000 guineas and owned by King Power Racing Co Ltd. Readers may remember that he is the owner of Leicester City. He has spent a fortune on horses this season with some success.
Ralph Beckett has a decent string of juveniles this season including another two-year-old sired by Frankel named Fume. By all accounts, Fume has proven a very disappointing horse, beaten favourite on debut. Most recently, racing at nursery class with an official rating of 70.
More Frankel two-year-olds on the horizon.
Let's have a look at the week ahead.
Tuesday 21st August - Mehdaayih, trained by John Gosden
See the entry here
Interesting to see if this bay filly heads to Great Yarmouth. A couple of starts and beaten favourite when placed sixth and second respectively. This April foal was beaten at odds of 4/6f at Doncaster when stepping up to one mile. She was probably beaten by a fair horse in Quintada. A recent Group entry details connections hold her in some regard. Perhaps it will be third time lucky with the smell of salt in the air.
Friday 24th August - Chartered, trained by Ralph Beckett
See the entry here
This bay daughter of Frankel is out of a winning mare, trained by Sir Michael Stoute. She had just four runs in a short race career. This homebred runs in the familiar silks of R Barnett. She is entered to run at Newmarket over 7f.
Friday 24th August - Frankadore, trained by Tom Dascombe
See the entry here
We have mentioned this chestnut colt previously on Frankel Blog. He is out of a truly talented mare Adoration who race 19 times in America and achieved over £1000,000 in total earnings from eight wins. I'm not sure if Frankadore was an ugly duckling, but he was sold at the yearling sales for just £100,000. Considering it costs £175,000 for stallion fees there must have been something amiss. He races under the ownership of Clyne Dance Mound. He has entries for Ffos Las and Goodwood.
Friday 24th August - Fox Vardy, trained by Martyn Meade
See the entry here
Another colt we have mentioned trained by Martyn Meade and owned by King Power Racing Co Ltd. The proprietor of Leicester City FC. Fox Vardy cost 210,000 guineas when purchased at the yearling sales. The mare Dance With Another was a fair performer in Ireland although one win from twelve starts. Also holds a Derby entry at three.
Friday 24th August - Fox Premier, trained by Andrew Balding
See the entry here
This twice raced son of Frankel seemingly disappointed on debut at Sandown when 11/4. He finished sixth of eight that day. Racing in the King Power Racing Co Ltd silks, this 700,000 guineas yearling purchase was sent off 13/8f at Newbury (17th August) but tired into fourth when outpaced by William Haggas' Boerhan who is held in some regard. Fox Premier holds a few significant entries. I'm sure connections have expected more. This step up to one mile may be the answer. Also, holds an entry for Saturday's Champagne Stakes (Group 2) at Doncaster.
Well, last week saw an impressive Frankel debutant go in for Saeed bin Suroor. Dubai Beauty was well found in the betting and powered home in good fashion. Definitely the smartest Frankel two-year-old we have seen this season. I know many of you will state that we haven't seen many. I have to agree. However, a few have been showing a little bit more.
Ralph Beckett's Fume ran much better stepping up in distance at Leicester although looks a nursery horse. He could well make up into a decent handicapper and likely to get a fair weight. One to consider for the future. May improve for stepping up in trip.
A quick review of this week's two-year-olds.
Friday 17th August, we see a couple. Debutant Cap Francais and the once-raced Fox Premier. The former is trained by Ed Walker, the latter by Andrew Balding.
On Saturday, we see another Frankel filly who disappointed when 5/2f for John Gosden. Mehdaayih disappointed to some extent but gave the impression there is better to come. Race comments said:
''Unfurnished; sweating; held up in touch in the last quartet, effort 3f out, outpaced but headway into midfield and edged right over 1f out, no threat to leaders but kept on steadily inside final furlong (op 3/1)''
Plenty more Frankels coming soon...
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)
It's been a slow start to proceedings. This year's batch of two-year-old Frankels have been kept under wraps. A couple have gone close. However, things are warming up as we saw a talented horse win on Saturday (4th August).
Saeed bin Suroor, so much the poor relation to Charlie Appleby in recent years, may have something to smile about. The sun was shining at Newmarket after Dubai Beauty won well by one-and-a-half lengths in the Equine Hospital EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes (Plus 10) over 7f.
This bay daughter of Frankel is out of a mare called Minidress, who won by four lengths on her debut back in 2011. She raced just four times for shamed trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni.
Dubai Beauty was fancied to go well, backed to 3/1 in a ten-horse race. The first two pulled clear of the field.
Race comments: ''Soon pressing leader, ridden 2f out, led 100y out and soon on top''.
This February foal hasn't received any lofty race entries yet but it is only a matter of time before this bay filly steps up to Group class.
See the race result here.
Other Frankel 2yo declared to run this week.
10th August Haydock - Fume, trained by Ralph Beckett. Has raced a couple of times, made 15/8f on debut when showing little and then struggling 5th of six at Newbury when priced 6/1.
A few Frankel 2yos have run this season. Fume. trained by Ralph Beckett, disappointed when favourite on debut at Doncaster on 12th July. This bay colt is likely to show ability next start.
Interesting to note John Gosden has Mehdaayil, a bay daughter of Frankel, who is ready to make her debut this week.
She has a couple of entries:
Wednesday: 4:10 Yarmouth
Thursday: 6:20 Doncaster
The mare Sayyedati Symphony was trained by Clive Brittain racing seven times without success. She achieved an official rating of 94. This bay raced at pattern class on three occasion when well beaten. She won total prize money of just £4,124.
Later in the week, Gosden has Frisella entered to run on Friday 21st July 6:10 Newmarket. This daughter of Frankel ran well on debut when 6/5f at Haydock when runner-up to Cupboard Love, losing by half a length.
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.
We've been waiting for the first 2YO Frankel runner of this 2018 Flat season.
2:00 Newbury - 18th May (Friday) Welcome To The Starlight Raceday Maiden Stakes (Plus 10) (Class 4) (2yo)
Fox Premier - trained by Andrew Balding. Only time will tell if this is the case. He is one of 47 entrant at this early declaration stage.
This bay colt is out of a dam called Fann, who ran 19 times and trained by Clive Brittain. She had one win - a progressive horse. She achieved her highest official rating (104) in her last few races before being retired as a brood mare.
Fox Premier cost 700,000G at the yearling sales and runs in the ownership of King Power Racing Co Ltd. They have horses such as Beat The Bank.
Vichai Srivaddhanapradha owns King Power Racing Co Ltd. Football fans will know he is the Thai billionaire owner of Leicester City FC. He is investing substantial money into horse racing. In fact, in 2018 he has spent £16 million. His horses run in the blue and white Leicester City colours.
Purchases include a £2.5 million Frankel filly named King Power and a daughter by Dubawi which cost £1.3 million called Tuk Power. The magnate who made his fortune from his King Power duty free shop empire has 60 horses in training with three handlers: Andrew Balding, Ralph Beckett and Richard Hannon. While David Elsworth, Martyn Meade and David Simcock are on the trainer roster.
Andrew Balding is the lucky recipient of 30 horses at Kingsclere Stables in Hampshire.
He said: ''It is a major boost to the yard. He has bought some lovely horses. The ones I've got are more for next year but he has some nice ones with Richard and Ralph.''
He continued: ''Money doesn't guarantee results but the signs are good. They are the nicest bunch of horses I've ever had. We'll all being doing our hardest to get him some results.''
No doubt Balding has been waiting for this 6f race because this March foal is bred to want 6f - 7f as a starting point. This trainer can win with debutantes. being such an expensive purchase, he is likely to be fancied in the betting.
Other horses in the ownership of King Power Racing Co Ltd.
Fox Vardy - trained by Martyn Meade (£220,500)
Fox Kasper - trained by Richard Hannon (£220,500)
Come On Leicester - trained by Richard Hannon (£378,000)
Good to see the first of a new crop of Frankel two-year-olds.
Read more: Exclusive: Andrew Balding thrives in Kingsclere heritage and promise of Frankel and Leicester City connection
