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9 Feb 2017

Five Frankel offspring who could flourish in this year’s Champions Series

Frankel

His racing days are over, but can Frankel’s progeny fulfill their promise this year? Picture: racingfotos.com

Frankel’s first offspring to see the racecourse thrived in 2016 and this year they will get their chance to strut their stuff in the QIPCO British Champions Series.

Frankel was flawless in the Series in 2011 and 2012 – winning all nine races he contested by an aggregate of more than 46 lengths. This month he will resume his stallion duties at Banstead Manor Stud on the outskirts of Newmarket.

Today, we look at five of his offspring who connections will no doubt be hoping can make their mark in the 2017 Series.

ALJEZEERA

Dam: Dynaforce

Trainer: Luca Cumani

Form: 1

Luca Cumani does not have many first-time-out winners – his youngsters are rarely wound up for their initial outings – so it has to be encouraging that Aljezeera was an impressive winner on her debut over a mile at Doncaster in mid-August.

She had clearly been showing something at home as she was sent off the 10-11 favourite and her supporters never had a moment’s concern.

Always travelling easily under Shane Kelly, Aljezeera quickly put her stamp on the race when invited to quicken up two furlongs from home and won by two and a half lengths.

She was not seen out again afterwards but is a most exciting prospects for the months ahead. Bookmakers quote her between 20-1 and 33-1 for the QIPCO 1000 Guineas.

ATTY PERSSE

Dam: Dorcas Lane

Trainer: Roger Charlton

Form: 1

Atty Persse is named after the top jump jockey who then became champion trainer in 1930 before eventually retiring in his mid 80s.

Let’s hope the equine version can enjoy similar success and longevity!

His first 1min 44sec on the racetrack offered great encouragement, with a fluent win in a mile maiden at Sandown. Afterwards, Godolphin saw enough in his ability and potential to purchase him.

A tilt at the Racing Post Trophy was on the cards, but he was not seen out again after that Sandown success. He is 33-1 for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 6 – the first race of this year’s Series – and the same price for the Investec Derby in June.

 

CRACKSMAN

Dam: Rhadegunda

Trainer: John Gosden

Form: 1

Cracksman made his debut at Newmarket four days after QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot last year and hinted he might be a star turn at the meeting himself one day with a taking display.

Held up in mid division, he travelled kindly and ran on well when hitting the front inside the final furlong to score by just over a length.

Cracksman is a general 33-1 for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and he is the same price for the Investec Derby.

John Gosden’s initial thoughts were to aim the Anthony Oppenheimer-owned colt at a mile and a quarter conditions race at Newbury in April.

CRACKSMAN (Robert Havlin) wins The Breeders Supporting Racing EBF Maiden Stakes Newmarket 19 Oct 2016 - Pic Steven Cargill / Racingfotos.com THIS IMAGE IS SOURCED FROM AND MUST BE BYLINED "RACINGFOTOS.COM"
CRACKSMAN (Robert Havlin) wins The Breeders Supporting Racing EBF Maiden Stakes / Racingfotos.com

FAIR EVA

Dam: African Rose

Trainer: Roger Charlton

Form: 1132

Fair Eva was as short as 3-1 for the QIPCO 1000 Guineas with several bookmakers last summer after she had followed up a striking debut win at Haydock with an impressive four-length win in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot.

However, she did not fulfil lofty expectations on her next two starts and, as a consequence, she is now freely available at 16-1 to win at Newmarket on May 7 in the second race of the QIPCO British Champions Series.

She finished a length and a half third in the Lowther, won by Queen Kindly, and was then beaten just over a length in the Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket.

Most trainers would be delighted to have a filly placed in two Group 2 races but Roger Charlton was left a little disappointed and so were punters: she started 4-11 on the first occasion and 4-9 on the second.

It remains far too early to be writing her off.

Fair Eva
Fair Eva and Frankie Dettori winning The Princess Margaret Juddmonte Stakes – pic:racingfotos.com

QUEEN KINDLY

Dam: Lady Of The Desert

Trainer: Richard Fahey

Form: 13114

Queen Kindly was one of Frankel’s most successful two-year-olds and  is one to keep in mind for this year’s top sprints.

Out of the speedy Lady Of The Desert, she was twice an easy winner at Catterick and showed she could mix it with the best when landing the Group 2 Lowther at York in August.

Queen Kindly also lost little in defeat when a half-length third to Brave Anna in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot – even though Richard Fahey was stunned by the reverse – and she was clearly not at her best when six lengths fourth to the same rival in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket in October.