Frankel Watch: Daddy Frank, Just Held (31st October)

Late October, Newcaslte is the venue. 

Fifteen minutes past five and the Frankel fans are getting excited. It's the Play Ladbrokes 5-A-Side on Football EBF Novice Stakes (Class 5) (2yo) over 7f (14yds) on Standard going. 

John Gosden fields a son of Frankel out of a twice-raced mare [Smart Change] who didn't exactly shine on the track. It's interesting to note this bay colt was a late foal [9th June] in the ownership of John Gunther & Tanya Gunther, a home bred. Race fans will remember the success of Without Parole (pictured) at Royal Ascot's St James' Palace Stakes (Group 1) in 2018, when beating Gustav Klimt by half a length. Connections will be hopeful Without Parole can make an impact as a first-season sire standing at Newsells Park Stud.

Without Parole was similarly sired by Frankel in 2015.     

A ten-strong field of two-year-olds, saw a mixed bag of horses and trainers, with the hot-pot favourite, Komachi, trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin. This son of Kingman was a 6/4f when making his debut at Kempton when finishing a creditable third place some three lengths behind Oo De Lally who was something of a surprise when winning on his second start at 125/1. 

Komachi was all the rage in the market starting at 5/6f. However, there was plenty of confidence behind Daddy Frank who was backed from an opening price of 9/2 - 7/2. For much of the race it looked as this Frankel offspring was in need of the race when towards the rear. However, this debutante made good headway 2f out, disputed lead 1f out, ridden and briefly led inside final furlong, headed but kept on towards finish, just held. 

Daddy Frank finished a neck behind Komachi beating the third by three lengths. 

Racing Post Reporter said: Daddy Frank, who's a June foal, is out of a half-sister to the dam of Without Parole, who won in impressive fashion here on his debut for these connections three years ago. He shaped promisingly on his debut, quickening up well into contention before finding the more experienced winner just a bit too strong in the finish. He shouldn't have too much trouble getting off the mark. [Steffan Edwards]

Great battle! 625,000 gns Kingman colt Komachi shows a terrific attitude to get off the mark for William Buick, Charlie Appleby and @godolphin at @NewcastleRaces… pic.twitter.com/zlTxsFxsr1

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 30, 2020

Other two-year-olds sired by Frankel in training with John Gosden include: 

Regent, Senita, Stilleto, Flaunt, Counsel, Social Status, Zagato, Netherton, Franklet, Seventh Kingdom, Side Shot, Restitution, Hopefully Darling & Frinkle, Attendent. 

Frankel Stars Head for York Dante Stakes (Group 2)

Looking ahead to May 17th (3:30 York). 

Interesting to see that Frankel has no less than nine three-year-olds entered at this early closing stage for the Dante Stakes (Group 2). 

Take a look at the entries here. 



Without Parole

Six length winner for John Gosden on debut. 

Nelson

Trained by Aidan O'Brien. This bay colt raced five times at two. Dual winner, once at Group 3, and runner-up in the Royal Lodge Stakes (Group 2) when loosing by a head to Roaring Lion. 

Rostropovich 

Aidan O'Brien has this bay colt entered for a number of top-flight races. He ran five times at two winning at Group 2 and third placed at the Currugh when outpointed in the National Stakes (Group 1).

Elarqam 

Mark Johnston's bay colt is out of 1000 Guineas winner Attraction. Winner on both his two starts at two including the Tattersalls Stakes (Group 3). 

Zabriskie

Another one for Aidan O'Brien in the ownership of Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd. Tipperary maiden stakes winner by a head but not extended. Finished last of eight at Newmarket when stepping up to pattern class.   

Surya 

Interesting bay colt who is yet to make his debut for John Gosden in the ownership of Lady Bamford. This home bred is out of the exceptional Sariska who took the Investec Oaks (Group 1) for Michael Bell. As well know for refusing to race on her last two outings. Won over £700,000 in total earning.   

Marechal Ney 

Unraced three-year-old trained by John Gosden in the ownership of A E Oppenheimer. This bay colt is out of mare who won once for Geoff Wragg but placed at the highest level.  

Herculean 

A horse with a reputation before winning well on debut for Roger Charlton in the ownership of K Abdullah when 11/10f, beating a fair horse in Wadilsafa.Fancied at odds of 25/1 for the 2000 Guineas. 

History of the Dante Stakes (Group 2) raced over 1m 2f 56y at York in May.  

Named after the Yorkshire-trained winner of the Derby in 1945. Established in 1958 when Bald Eagle won for trainer Cecil Boyd-Rochfort., ridden by Harry Carr.   

Initially a group 3 race until upgraded in 1980. 

Ten winners of the Dante have gone on to win the Epsom Derby (Group 1). The most recent being Golden Horn in 2015 for John Gosden. Winner of the Prix de l'arc Triomphe (awarded Cartier Horse of the Year 2015).

Henry Cecil is the most prolific winner taking this contest 7 times (Approval (1970) - Tenby (1993). Pat Eddery had the most winning rides with 6 victories (Beldale Flutter (1981) - Tenby (1993).

Last year so Permian win for Godolphin trained by Mark Johnston. Permian lost his life when breaking a leg when crossing the line in the Secretariat Stakes at Arlington. 

4 Frankel Entries for 2000 Guineas

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.