Horse Racing

[Assassin]

Frankel



Frankel was at his majestic best as he went in retirement after making it a perfect 14 victories in the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot.

The world's highest-rated racehorse, trained by Sir Henry Cecil, won his 10th Group One race with a trademark display of pure brilliance - despite being slowly away from the stalls and running in very testing conditions.

Sent off the 2-11 favourite, Khalid Abdullah's wonder colt took up the running from Cirrus Des Aigles over a furlong out under his ever-present jockey Tom Queally and pulled away from the French raider to win cosily by a length and three-quarters.

Cecil said: "He didn't like the crowd much but he was very relaxed.

"He's the best I've ever had. He's the best I've ever seen. I'd be surprised if there's ever been any better."

Abdullah confirmed Frankel had run his last race and would to be retired to stud.

He said: "That is the end of it and he will retire."

With Frankel missing the break by a couple of lengths, Ian Mongan on Bullet Train, Frankel's brother and regular pacemaker, was left looking for his stablemate.

However, Queally let the horse make up the ground in his own time and join the other five runners.

Meanwhile, Cirrus Des Aigles had gone to the front until Bullet Train went on to do the job he is used to.

Cirrus Des Aigles, rated the second best in the field, tried to stretch Frankel by going on early in the straight but the great horse was simply too good.

Nathaniel was two and a half lengths away in third.

This was only Frankel's second race over 10 furlongs, having stepped up from a mile for the first time at York in August in the Juddmonte International Stakes, sponsored by his owner.

His previous 12 victories before that had come over seven furlongs and a mile, and included the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at this meeting 12 months ago as well as the St James's Palace Stakes and the Queen Anne Stakes on this track.

Queally said: "He's just getting more and more relaxed as time goes on.

"He waited until the gates were open then he was away.

"I was happy all the way but there's no doubt he's better on better ground. His class showed today.

"I walked the track and I was a little worried about the conditions.

"Having walked it in the home straight I knew it wasn't too heavy for him to quicken up.

"You want every angle covered and everything in your favour, so in that respect there was always a little worry, but he was in great heart today and he looked a lot better than he did 12 months ago on this day.

"He was so good today, even on that ground."

[Chazza]

Black Caviar set for Royal Ascot and mating with Frankel
• Australia's star mare lined up for possible return to Ascot
• Black Caviar may have date with Frankel at Newmarket

Black Caviar, Australia's unbeaten mare, could be sent on the holiday of a lifetime this summer. She is being lined up to be Royal Ascot's star turn followed by a date with the record-breaking colt Frankel, a prospective mating which has the international bloodstock industry salivating.

A foal from the mating – in Newmarket, possibly in August – would be feted as the progeny of the two best horses of the last half-century. An equine equivalent, perhaps, of Marilyn Monroe and Errol Flynn, or Penélope Cruz and Johnny Depp.

Peter Moody, who trains Black Caviar, said his mare could attempt a 2013 Ascot double – the King's Stand and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes four days later. She seemed sure to be retired after scraping home in the Diamond Jubilee last June but the mare made a comeback in February and extended her unbeaten record to 24 at Moonee Valley on Friday.

"Australian racing really deserves her but the feeling I am getting from the owners is that they would very much like to come again [to Ascot]," said Moody.

Black Caviar's owners would have to pay £125,000 to be covered by Frankel, who retired to stud in Newmarket after a 14-race unbeaten run. Frankel's biggest successes came at a mile or 10 furlongs, while the mare is known as the best sprinter in the world.

"I joked about it previously but I don't think it would be a silly mating," Moody said. "Physically they are quite well matched and it would certainly create a lot of interest – a colt or a filly by Frankel out of Black Caviar."

At The Curragh on Sunday night Aidan O'Brien worked a battalion of his horses after racing. He galloped 68 horses in four groups, including triple Classic winner Camelot.

Of the three-year-olds, O'Brien worked Mars, Cristoforo Colombo and the Breeders' Cup scorer George Vancouver. An absentee was his 2,000 Guineas fancy Kingsbarns, who is recovering from a foot infection which could see him miss the Guineas at Newmarket in early May.

With many of the participants difficult to identify, Camelot, the 2,000 Guineas, Derby and Irish Derby winner last year, stood out from everything else – cruising up from the rear in his group to pass the post in front without being extended.

Eye-catchers who could be identified included Mars and Battle Of Marengo, who are among O'Brien's numerous Epsom entries. Mars ran on well in his group, while Battle Of Marengo finished strongly in behind Camelot and must be of interest over middle-distances.

O'Brien said later that Mars would possibly run in the 2,000 Guineas, adding: "Camelot is a big, gassy horse. He was fresh early on, but it was so great to see the horse in that form.

"He will probably start off in the Mooresbridge Stakes or the Alleged Stakes, and then go on to the Tattersalls Gold Cup.

"Coming here, we weren't sure if Mars was a Guineas or a horse for a Derby trial, but we were so happy with the way he worked it's very possible he'll go straight to the Guineas.

"The three Henrys [sons of Henrythenavigator] – Cristoforo Colombo, Pedro The Great and George Vancouver – all worked well and we are really happy with them. All three will also run in the 2,000 Guineas. George Vancouver went really well and he's one to have a fiver on each-way in the Guineas.

"Snow Queen probably looked a filly for the 1,000 Guineas. I was very, very happy with Moth as well. Battle Of Marengo will probably start off in a Derby trial somewhere."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/mar/24/black-caviar-royal-ascot-mating-frankel?CMP=twt_gu

Imagine how much the offspring will be worth

[Hollowman]

Wasn't sure if this Godolphin thing deserved its own thread - perhaps we can change the title of this one to General Nagmongery?

Encke has tested positive and will be banned for six months. But it won St Leger at 25s last year, denying Camelot the Triple Crown. Which is interesting in light of this ****ing debacle.

[Shaggy]

Unbelievable. I wonder how long they've been doing this and getting away with it? When they arrived on the scene in the mid 90s they practically won everything.

[Neil Young]

It's not about the horse.

Although I suppose it might be about the Horse.

[Pedenj]

Unbelievable. I wonder how long they've been doing this and getting away with it? When they arrived on the scene in the mid 90s they practically won everything.

Rather worrying isn't it. Like you say they turned up and took over - now you have to think why?

Also makes me wonder what our players would've been on had DIC taken over

[Hollowman]

Camelot has been retired.

Coolmore must still be pissed about losing the St Leger, and the Triple Crown, to Encke. That would have been history right there.

[Hollowman]

Using this as a general nagsmithery thread again, anyone see the Kentucky? California Chrome looks a beast. Basically ran it home backwards on the straight. It shat the western derby at Santa Anita too. Bit early to start talking triple crown, but it is going to Baltimore for the Preakness a week on Saturday. Belmont is three weeks after that.

Curious horse, as it wasn't hugely successful as a two-year old until right at the end of the year. Suddenly seemed to work it all. Needed minimal urging in the wins at Santa Anita and Kentucky.

Been thirty six years since a trip crown winner in the States. There was a photo-finish at Belmont in the 1990s that denied someone, and I'll Have Another won the Kentucky and Preakness a couple of years ago, but pulled out of Belmont.

[baitman]

sounds like it needs a drug test

if all looks good then suspect replacement horse urine

[Hollowman]

California Chrome won the Preakness yesterday. Ran away from the pack off the final bend with two furlongs to go. Ride on Curlin ran him back a bit over the last furlong but couldn't catch up.

Three weeks to Belmont now. Be interesting to see how he runs over twelve furlongs.

[Hollowman]

Big day on the ponies. Derby at 4 over here, then the Belmont at about 11.45 tonight in New York. California Chrome is currently odds on to win the race and the colonial Trip Crown. Which is nuts.

[Chazza]

Mods Can we change this thread name to horse racing or summat?

Sad news this morning

[ame]https://twitter.com/tommoracing/status/615801309938126848[/ame]

[Muddled]

That's possible two exclamation marks too many.

Sad news indeed.

[Hollowman]

Forgot we had this thread. Should have posted about American Pharoah in here. Fantastic season.

Sad news about Kauto Star. They're weren't doing any stupid cross country stuff with him, were they? Just the dressage steps as I understood. Must simply have been a fall galloping about.

[Tee]

Bump....only because I was at Cheltenham today. First time ever watching and whilst I went there unsure about the day I actually really enjoyed it. Sprinter Sacre...what a great story and comeback. Will do this again for sure, even got the steam train to the course and the weather was decent. Anyone else go, or going this week?

I was looking out for football players and didn't spot any until I was leaving...saw Barry ****ing Bannan