Bit of a shame we will never see Frankel up to 10f. Stud value, which is where the money is, would plummet if he was beaten though EDIT: Frankel entered for the Juddmonte?? Is he actually going to run it? Big field, first time over 10f, seems a risk?
That's been pretty much the plan since the winter Jeff - the question was whether he would step up to 10F earlier (in the Eclipse) but connections elected to go for the Sussex Stakes instead. In all likelihood his last 2 races after the Sussex Stakes will be the Juddmonte International at York over 10f and then Champions Days at Ascot where he will take in either the QEII or Champions Stakes. I doubt we'll see him run more than that before he goes off to stud. Unless of course he wins the Juddmonte by 15 lengths with his head in his chest - I guess they might think about the Arc if that were to happen.
To a certain extent it must be mixed emotions for the old Goodwood Executive because where on the one hand they must be overjoyed at having attracted Frankel to the ‘Sussex Stakes’ on the other they must be somewhat downheartened that there prestige race of the year is all but over in terms of a creditable contest. The fact that Frankel is officially rated 140 and his 3 opponents 122, 111 and 108 all but confirms this. Quite honestly if Frankel doesn’t romp away with the heat, by upwards of half a dozen lengths, it will be the biggest shock since the last big shock. One outstanding piece of news for Goodwood though is that Mr Henderson has declared all 3 of his runners in the opening handicap. I bet that caused a few Champagne corks to pop in their old offices. And as I detailed earlier in the thread CAPE EXPRESS looks mightily well treated off a mark of 84. I can see Mr Henderson regaining this prize on Wednesday. The only question has to be who will get the biggest reception him or Frankel?!?
As I mentioned on another thread, or maybe this one, the plan is not to win by a massive margin as they need to keep the horse sweet for York. Of course his sheer class may well carry him lengths and lengths clear of the field, but they certainly wont be pushing him out for it.
By the way, they've put out a press release saying Sir Henry will not be at Goodwood this week: "Unfortunately, I won't be at Goodwood on Wednesday as I have been undergoing some treatment. Although I am able to train my horses I'm not quite fit to go racing yet, but I hope to be fully recovered in the near future. "Everything has gone as we could have wished with Frankel since the Queen Anne Stakes. We gave him an easy time immediately after Royal Ascot before bringing him back into fast work. "He has pleased us with his work and is going to the Sussex Stakes in good shape. We are taking one race at a time with him and are hoping that he can extend his unbeaten record." He looked very thin last week, though I suppose he always has been, but I feel a little worried for him and his health.
I fear Sir Henry will retire at the end of the year, i remember Michael Kinane saying upon retirement that he would never ride another like sea the stars and so it felt like the perfect time to retire. Sir Henry must be having the same thoughts. I find him the most likable personality within the training ranks by a street and hope he gets to enjoy a long peaceful retirement whenever it may be. Princess, do you know if there is any likely successor in line as surely Warren place will not retire even if the king abdicates.
I'm aware of the cancer treatment, but that was stomach cancer originally. It has been suggested, though not confirmed, that the reason he has no voice at the moment (they first mentioned it during July week) is because it has spread to his oesophagus. I too have a feeling that he may decide to go out on a high and retire this year. I would suspect, a la Michael Jarvis, his assistant would take over.
Yes I didn't like the sound of things when you said his voice had gone last week, so he didn't speak. Very sad, let's hope he fights whatever it is off.
A bit different in 1972 Istabraq. That horse was having his 6th race of the season (5 of which are now group 1s) and at York his 3rd Group 1 in 5 weeks, the middle one of which was beyond his stamina capability. As Timeform said at the time it seems BG ran below his best and was perhaps tired. Frankel will turn up having run only 3 races against competition he was comfortably capable of beating. If he gets 10f, which is not certain, he should win as he has at 8f.
