Latest from Racing Post: Frankel set to run in Ascot's Champion Stakes By Tom Kerr 11:47AM 31 AUG 2012 FRANKEL looks likely to bring his remarkable racing career to a close in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 20. The announcement by connections that the unbeaten star would target Britain's premier middle distance race effectively rules out any possibility Frankel will run in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, which falls on October 7. Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to the colt's owner, said: âFollowing discussions with Sir Henry Cecil, Prince Khalid has decided that Frankel's next race will be the Group 1 Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 20.â More to follow...
I'll be on the phone to Ascot shortly to swing a freebie or two As has been said in the Racing Post comments, what odds Tom Queally is told to give him his head and win by as far as he likes, rather than ease him down before the line?
Bugger. So not coming to France at all. When they say his next race, do they mean his next and last, meaning no prep, Ascot, retirement?
I think so Ron, they've already said that Breeders' Cup is a definite no-no, and there are no other races after Champions Day, unless they were to think totally outside the box and head to Japan/Hong Kong. He definitely retires to stud for next season and I imagine they'll want to get his fee set and start taking bookings before everyone has finished making their mating plans. Sea the Stars fee was announced the week after his Arc win, so I imagine the same sort of timeframe will apply to Frankel. I maintain I'd be surprised if they went over the £100k mark for him.
I am definitely going to this. It is going to be an autumn of historic races for me as I am also going to Donaster to see whether Camelot can win the Triple Crown. does anyone know what the capacity of Ascot will be for this? I imagine it will be a lot lower than for the Royal meeting.
Capacity last year was fixed at about 20,000. I think they said they'd increase it a bit this year but certainly not as high as at the Royal meeting. When you consider 30,000 were at York, they need to think carefully about not fixing the bar too low.
I am gutted he has not went for the Arc and took a risk with it to nail down his GOAT reputation. Now I hope he has not chased off all the others that planned to run at Ascot and we do not get a 6 runner field with 2 pacemakers.
I rechecked the stats on runners by Galileo out of Danehill mares: 51 runners 23 attempted 12f or further 6 winners (4 flat, 2 jumps) I'm not saying that those stats mean Frankel wouldn't win over 12f, but they fly in the face of those that say he is bred to stay. On face value the bloodline does not guarantee a stayer.
