We are all well aware what a special horse Frankel is but it seems that with every turn the form of Frankel is boosted further. Today it was the turn of Excellebration, already beaten twice by Frankel this season, to do his bit for the form. He was comprehensively beaten in the Greenham before winning the German 2000 Guineas by 7 lengths. He then found Frankel too good once more in the St James Palace Stakes. Today he once again showed what a good horse he is with a very comfortable win in the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury. Apparently he will improve for the run so beating a field of that quality in that manner clearly marks him down as a very smart performer. And yet Frankel has made him look ordinary in the past. It appears that a rematch in the QEII is on the cards and that will provide an exciting contest, even if Frankel will be a very warm order to confirm the placings. Whenever Frankel himself hits the racetrack it seems his reputation grows further, and whenever one of his vanquished opponents reappears they only confirm what a special horse he is. Here's hoping to many more memorable days from the best racehorse i have ever seen, the fabulous Frankel.
I feel excelebration has improved again and really hope he lines up for the QEII as he will certainly offer a good test. There were some good form lines there today with Beacon Lodge running against the very impressive Strong suit at Goodwood. I know it will be unlikely to happen but a QEII with Frankel taking on Excelabration, Strong Suit, Dick Turpin, Side Glance Goldikova and the July cup winner trained by David Simcock (name escapes me) , what a race. My feeling is Frankel by a extending 3 lengths at the post. I am really delighted he will be kept in training next year and hope they do not go back on that. I feel he has proved utter class this year and i would like to see how far they can push that with regard distance and would like him to take in a G1 6f and G1 10 Furlong which i feel he could with the 10 furlong being the greater challenge.
I remember after the Greenham thinking Frankel didn't beat alot that day, as Excelebration's form wasn't that great as a 2yo, and Strong Suit ran a stinker for some reason, but in hindsight the form of that race has proved very strong. Frankel has clearly beaten alot of good horse's very easily, bar his maiden victory over Nathaniel, he has never looked in any danger, and even in his maiden he was clearly on top. He will probably need to prove his versatility over different trips before the critics accept he is the best horse for many years. But to me he looks as good as anything I've seen since Dubai Millenium
Shergar, do you not think Dubai Millennium was overrated? To me, he looked like a horse who was fortunate to be around at a time when there wasn't much of note to take on. I still remember watching him beat absolute donkeys in the QEII and the Godolphin team treating it as if he'd beaten the best in the world. As far as Frankel is concerned, I absolutely agree. It's been staggering to see the way that the form of his races has worked out so well, time and time again.
I am with you on that one Chance. Its not so much that i feel Dubai Millenium was'nt top class it's that i feel it cannot be claimed with any real credibility that he proved it before his very sad demise. It's a bit like Harbinger, all the signs were there that he was but sadly robbed of the chance to really notch up a record that matches the best. Frankel is certainly on the road to proving it and if he stays in training i feel will retire the following year with a record that will be talked of long after we are gone.
Dubai Millennium was a high class animal, he won 7 of his 8 starts, only losing when he ran in the Derby over a trip he didn't stay, but over 8 and 10f he was pretty much unbeatable. He could be ridden anywhere, he could make all, or he could come from off the pace, there was no chinks in his armour. He may not have been around in a vintage era, but he could only beat what was infront of him, and he did so very easily. His run in the POW was his most impressive, Sendawaar was a high class animal also, he had won the French Guineas, and the St James's Palace stakes The year before, and most people believed he would beat Dubai Millennium, hence he was sent off favourite, but Dubai Millenium's amazing front running performance ran him into the ground, he just could not live with the natural cruising speed of DM. Sendwaar was never the same again afterwards. People can doubt the ability of DM, but I don't think I've seen a better 10f horse, for me he would have dominated in any era
Agree totally. If he hadn't been aimed at the Derby then, as well as being unbeatable at 8-10f, he would have been unbeaten. Frankel has not yet proved conclusively he is unbeatable at 8f, let alone 10f. That's not to say he won't. If Frankel had run in the Derby he might well have been exposed in the same way as DM but we will never know for sure. I am intrigued by this race at Deauville on Monday as long as the ground doesn't provide any excuses. Does anyone know anything about this unbeaten 3yo French filly Golden Lilac?
Ron, any idea why the Jacques Le Marois is being run on Monday instead of its usual Sunday slot? Unless it's a bank holiday in France, it seems a strange day to be running a Group 1. I don't see Golden Lilac in the betting for the Marois, unless she's running in another race?
Cheers Ron. I backed Golden Lilac in the Prix de Diane last time. Very impressive. Even though she's up against the colts, she'll take all the beating. Galikova looks like she needs a mile and a half.
Golden Lilac obviously has an impressive record, not sure why there going for a G2 when she has won 2 G1s, seems a little strange. I'd be a little wary about what Golden Lilac has actually beat before getting carried away. Galikova is a good fillie, but she is being highly overrated because of her impeccable breeding. I'd like to see Golden Lilac beat something else before we start hailing her the second coming of Allez France
andre fabre isnt sure golden lilac will stay 1m4f,he mentioned this race and a other lesser contest because they are over the 1m2f trip.surpirsed galikova is in this,she defo needs 1m4f,though we would see her in the prix vermille,but i suspect she runs best with rests so this in a sense would give her a good rest for the arc
Ok - on topic, the whole Frankel thing is amazing. His visual performances are some of the best i've seen for a long time and his form is franked on an almost weekely basis. Like others i'd like to see him step up to 10 furlongs but we'll see. On the spin off topic, Golden lilaac hhas done all she needs to do but i;d agree with King Shergar that I'm unconvionced about the quality of opposition. Personally I'd say we and the irish have the better fillies this year (most notably Misty for me and Blue Bunting) and I hope that will be proved in the prix Vermeille and then the Marcel Bouussac. Aidian also looks to have a cracking 2 year old in Maybe.
Ron what would Frankel have to do to prove conclusively that he is unbeatable over 8F? On his Queen Anne form Canford Cliffs was clearly the best older horse in the world over a mile and yet Frankel brushed him aside with contemptuous ease at Goodwood (whatever Richard Hannon and the Coolmore spin doctors say).
I'm still very wary of his run against Zoffany, whatever excuses were made for him. Which is why I'm interested in this race tomorrow at Deauville. Also, the third has clearly progressed. The race he won against CC was not a truly run 8f. In any race over 8f where the early pace is not fast, nothing could beat Frankel. I would like to see him put to the test in a truly run race. It would have been fascinating to see him against Dubai Millennium over 8 and 10f. Not nailing my colours to any mast here; just saying it would have been fascinating.
Ron I just hope we get a decent field turn up against him in the QEII - would hate it to be a walkover
Frankel smashes course record in solo romp. Frankel, yesterday shattered the Ascot course record as he strolled home uncontested head in chest. Absolute bedlam ensued as breeders worldwide clambered to purchase the wonder horse. The successful bidder was the NOT 606 Syndicate for an undisclosed sum. A spokesman for the syndicate said there would be a sensible debate amongst its members before deciding whether to keep him in training or retire him to stud.....at which point his laptop melted.
