Frankel - Stud Career

I was thinking much earlier than that Oddy; probably 1980's but couldn't be sure

 

Probably thinking of Snaafi Dancer of Sheikh Mohammed's 10.3 million dollars and rather slow; was trained by John Dunlop in the 1980's if i remember correctly .

 

That's the one. Welcome to the forum

 

A Fools Paradise. The Green Monkey Fiasco.

There was a palpable air of excitement as the handsome 2 year old bay colt entered the sale ring. He came with a huge reputation, one built on a lightning track gallop. He'd breezed up a strong 3 furlongs in 33, running home the last furlong in a tick under 9.5 seconds, with some left in the tank. The talk was so hyped, it was considered as almost a given that he'd annex the Kentucky Derby on his way to the Triple Crown during his 3 year old season. It was enough to draw two of the biggest gun fighters in the breeding world into what would turn out to be the thoroughbred auction's version of the OK corral, Coomore versus Darley. At stake, not just a race horse, but the pride in being the biggest swinging dick in the yard. It was to be egos bound with recklessness, where money would quickly take a back seat to self-conceit.

And so the striking bay with the giant white blaze, was introduced to the world at large at the Fasig-Tipton sales at Calder Race Course on that fateful day, February 16, 2006. The chairman of auction house, Mr. Walter Robertson was at a loss as to how to open the bidding. So great was the pressure, all he could say was, “I don't even know what to ask for.” After a short preamble, they stepped away at $500,000, and from there, the price quickly ballooned to $5,000,000 through a series of about 16 bids.

The crowd by now knew the something special was unfolding before their eyes. The buzz had become a tumult. The auctioneer at this point had to call for calm. The horse was now starting to become agitated. His handler, a well dressed gent, forever circled the horse to the left in an effort to pacify him. But in each action, there must be an equal and opposite reaction. In stark contrast, the protagonists had begun to whip themselves into a bidding frenzy. 7 more calls saw the price reach $7,000,000, where again the hammer man was forced to issue a censure to the spectators. For the second time, he called for quietness.

The heavy hitters had by now well and truly girded their loins. All other bidders, the minnows, had given up the ghost. At this point, John Ferguson, on behalf of Skeik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum's Darley Stud, held the upper hand, but John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith's hired gun, Demi O'Byrne still had a box full of ammunition to fire off, and he couldn't wait to pull the trigger.

The next 8 bids flew by in minutes until the $9,500,000 mark was reached and a shrilled woman's voice was heard to raise itself above the excited chatter and take the Lord's name in vain.“Oh my God!” she screeched. But the Supreme Being paid her no heed, and neither did Demi. He added $200,000. Ferguson hit back immediately with a bid of $10,000,000. Straight away all eyes were again on the Coolmore Agent, nobody wanted the ride to stop. And so they worked their way toward the championship rounds, as they say in the fight game. Then at $14,000,000, the unthinkable happened. With Coolmore holding the bidding, the Sheik's man played what he hoped would be his ace in the hole... a one million dollar jump bid. At $15,000,000, Coolmore looked out on it's feet. Serious discussions were going on among quiet voices. They decided to stay in the game, but they were shocked at where they were. They offered an extra $200,000. Both sides were now on the ropes, but Darley dug deep once again and raised the pot by $300,000, they were sucking wind though.

The horse was by now impatient to get out of the place, and so were the two rivals. Demi then threw his final salvo. He raised it a further half million, bringing the bid to a neat $16,000,000. The fight was over. The scene was not unlike the aftermath of a great World Heavyweight Title Fight. People shook their heads and wondered if they'd ever see the likes of it again.

But this is not where our story ends. Some tales have happy endings, others sadly don't. This finish was a bloody nightmare. For somewhere between the breeze up and his new home, the horse went from lightning fast, to being so slow, that he couldn't run out of sight on a dark night. He disappeared off the radar for better than twelve months. All sorts of rumours abounded about him. It was said that he'd ditched his rider and taken a nasty fall, twisting his neck and in doing so, damaging his spine. But Tristan Berry, assistant trainer to Todd Pletcher, under whose guidance the horse was placed, is on record as saying that the only thing to hit the turf that day, was the rider's behind. The Green Monkey was retired after three unsuccessful races. The maiden went to stud for a paltry fee of just $5,000 per pop.

It's said that both Coolmore and Darley hardly speak of the affair.

 

Im guessing they didnt manage to cover 3200 mares?

 

Count Octave won at Wolverhampton today

 

He has a Yorkshire Cup entry and based on his sixth place in the Leger will love the trip.

 

This week’s entries

Friday
MASTER OF REALITY (3) Maiden at Lyon Parilly
COMMENTARIOLUS (4) Handicap Hurdle at Ballinrobe

Saturday
BETTY F (3) 7f Novice at Lingfield
HAZARFAN (3) 1m2f Novice at Lingfield
NELSON (3) Group 3 Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown
ROSTROPOVICH Group 3 Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown

Monday
HAZARFAN (3) Novice at Windsor

Tuesday
NELSON (3) - Listed Feilden Stakes at Newmarket
ROSTROPOVICH (3) - Listed Feilden Stakes at Newmarket
WITHOUT PAROLE (3) - Listed Feilden Stakes at Newmarket

Thursday
ZARKAMIYA in a Maiden at Longchamp - daughter of Zarkava making her debut (holds entries in the French 1000 Guineas and French Oaks)

Additionally, CRACKSMAN has been entered in the Ganay on 29th April as well as the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket on 5th May alongside COUNT OCTAVE.

 

I doubt it but who knows what Coolmore and Darley get up to

 

That would be some race if all 3 run in the Feilden Stakes, it would see how good Without Parole is.

 

Not in date order, but here are some races to look forward to!

 

ICESPIRE has been switched to the US and is entered to make her debut for Chad Brown at Aqueduct on Saturday.

 

Nelson won his seasonal debut

 

A great win, he’s been cut from 33s to 16s for the Derby.

 

Think he might be a Leger type, it will be interesting where he runs next, maybe Irish Derby.

Betty F could only mange 3rd

 

ICESPIRE was second on her US debut yesterday.

TANINO FRANKEL won very well in Japan a few hours ago

 

ROSTROPOVICH 4th at Longchamp

 

Not sure he's going to run, Crystal King (Frankel x Crystal Star) is running with Ryan Moore on board.

 

ELARQAM and CRACKSMAN are both set to gallop before racing at Newmarket tomorrow.

This Week’s Entries

Wednesday
JUYUSH (3) in a Maiden at Cholet
FIRST ELEVEN in a Handicap at Beverley
WITHOUT PAROLE (3) in the Listed Fielden Stakes at Newmarket
FRANKUUS (4) in the G3 Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket
QAZYNA (3) in a 1m Maiden at Newmarket - 3rd on debut in October

Thursday
CRYSTAL KING (3) in the Wood Ditton Maiden at Newmarket - half brother to G1 winner Hillstar
SURYA (3) in the Wood Ditton Maiden at Newmarket - out of Oaks winner Sariska
EXTRA MILE in a Handicap at Newcastle
ZARKAMIYA (3) in a Maiden at Longchamp - out of Arc winner Zarkava

Friday
SING A RAINBOW (3) in a Maiden at Newbury - first foal out of G3 winner/G1 placed Beatrice Aurore

Saturday
SILVER QUARTZ (3) in a 1m Maiden at Newbury
CRYSTAL KING (3) in a 1m3f Maiden at Newbury
HAZARFAN (3) in a 1m3f Maiden at Newbury
FRANCOPHILIA (3) in a 1m3f Maiden at Newbury - out of G1 winner Lady Jane Digby
CRYSTAL KING (3) in a 1m2f Maiden at Nottingham
FIRST ELEVEN (3) in a 1m2f Maiden at Nottingham
HAZARFAN (3) in a 1m4f Maiden at Wolverhampton