Frankel and the other three.

[Posts: 372Joined: 26 Feb 2011, 00:03Location: Stroud]

This years Sussex Stakes has now become a touch silly.

There are now only four runners in this contest, no one really wants to see it like this do they? What I find more interesting than the whole Frankel debate is there is 300K in the prize pool here, trainers are constantly complaining about prize money (rightly so), yet only four horses are due to turn up. It really does seem silly. 1st £179,487.15 2nd £68,047.50 3rd £34,055.40 4th £16,964.40


Are the places not enough prize money now?


I agree with those who say we don'y want to see this.

[Posts: 571Joined: 27 Jul 2011, 18:11]

You can pick any great group one flat race horse you like throughout history and be certain that, barring an in-race disaster, if they were beaten it was because their trainer or owner misjudged their ability. Nobody in the history of the thoroughbred horse put their classic winning horse up for a race thinking they would be beaten. Yet when the brilliant Sir Henry Cecil takes great care to place his horse in races he expects it to win he's 'dodging the issue', or 'not being adventurous enough' with his charge'.

The only thing driving the internet furore ("debate") about Frankel is outright jealousy or the great British tradition of wanting to pick holes in a great champion for no other reason than spite. Some people are at their happiest when they are sniping at someone or something.

It'a shame the field is so diminished, but what can the horse's connections do? They aren't going to run a group one miler over a trip that doesn't suit him. If he eventually does step up to 10 furlongs it will be because Sir Henry thinks the horse gets the trip. Not because a baying pack of internet racing fans is calling for him to do so.

[Posts: 1603Joined: 11 May 2010, 14:41]

You can pick any great group one flat race horse you like throughout history and be certain that, barring an in-race disaster, if they were beaten it was because their trainer or owner misjudged their ability. Nobody in the history of the thoroughbred horse put their classic winning horse up for a race thinking they would be beaten. Yet when the brilliant Sir Henry Cecil takes great care to place his horse in races he expects it to win he's 'dodging the issue', or 'not being adventurous enough' with his charge'.

The only thing driving the internet furore ("debate") about Frankel is outright jealousy or the great British tradition of wanting to pick holes in a great champion for no other reason than spite. Some people are at their happiest when they are sniping at someone or something.

It'a shame the field is so diminished, but what can the horse's connections do? They aren't going to run a group one miler over a trip that doesn't suit him. If he eventually does step up to 10 furlongs it will be because Sir Henry thinks the horse gets the trip. Not because a baying pack of internet racing fans is calling for him to do so.

Great post Hammy - i had almost given up supporting Frankel on here as I seemed to be doing it by myself and it was getting me down. So glad to see someone else speaking up for him. The most disappointing horse of the year? Give me a break. Run and Skip won't travel 60 miles to see him? Pleeeeease!! I will be seeing him for the 7th time on Wednesday and every time I have seen him he has given me goosebumps. To see this horse in the flesh is an awesome experience and one that will stay with me til my dying day.

As for the race - it is far better than some Group 1's we have seen in Ireland in recent years and yet nobody seems to worry too much about that. Farrh brings excellent form with him and it will give us a good gauge as to how Frankel compares with the modern day Nathaniel (as opposed to the one he beat when they were both babies).

Frankel steps up to 10f after this race so why people are so put out is beyond me. We will soon be talking about this wonderhorse in the past tense so enjoy him while he lasts and stop fecking moaning!!!!!!

[Posts: 403Joined: 25 Oct 2009, 10:28]

I too can't get enough of Frankel and I don't care what race he runs in or what the opposition is like. He's a phenomenon.

It's now becoming apparent to me that not only does Frankel break horses ... but he's now breaking trainers and owners too! I'm a bit surprised that Aiden O' Brien has pulled his horses out.

As we know, Farhh was due to face Frankel as a 2YO (Frank Whittle Partnership Conditions Stakes) before being withdrawn. Looking back at that race, I can't see how Farhh would've troubled Frankel then and I don't think he'll do it now

A nice walk in the park me thinks.

[Posts: 372Joined: 26 Feb 2011, 00:03Location: Stroud]

Yes chaps but the point was that only 4 horses are going to race in the Sussex. It is not picking holes it is a fact, and a shame.

[Posts: 1603Joined: 11 May 2010, 14:41]

Yes chaps but the point was that only 4 horses are going to race in the Sussex. It is not picking holes it is a fact, and a shame.

It is not the first time it has happened and it won't be the last - in either code. Look at that Group 1 in France at the weekend - 5 runners. The last two Tattersals Gold Cup - 5 runners. Last year's POW 5 runners. There have only been 5 runners in three of Camelot's races. Why do we suddenly give Frankel a hard time? Hardly his fault that no trainers want to take him on. Everyone moaned about the lack of quality when he ran in the QA and there were 11 in that. Watch the French race this Sunday - all the horses that could have taken him on will be there as they have a chance of winning.

For me it is about quality not quantity and Farhh is one of the best around this year so for me it will be fascinating.

[Posts: 1503Joined: 30 Oct 2007, 14:08]

This joke turnout makes the trainers boycotts regarding prize money seem even more ridiculous. Would 5th have earned anything? For the messiahs sake can British Racing stop shooting itself in the foot? Probably not.

That apart, this is another reflection of Frankels dominance. Coolmore don't duck many, in fact I can't think of any, apart from Frankel. Even the all-conquering "The Lads" don't think they can lower Frankel colours. Says it all really.

Last point is that anyone whining about the distance might want to think how many turn up to face Frankel in the Juddmonte when he steps up. If it happens, I think there is a real possibility of a field of 2 - Frankel and Bullet Train. What a disaster for York that would be.

[Posts: 1503Joined: 30 Oct 2007, 14:08]

*Double Post*

[Posts: 372Joined: 26 Feb 2011, 00:03Location: Stroud]

This joke turnout makes the trainers boycotts regarding prize money seem even more ridiculous. Would 5th have earned anything? For the messiahs sake can British Racing stop shooting itself in the foot? Probably not

.

exactly well said chap.

[Posts: 30Joined: 27 Jun 2012, 15:00]

I don't think the point should be about the Sussex turn out, more aimed towards the fact of why Frankel is running here. Frankel got a mile, on his debut as a two year old, easily, beating a subsequent group one winner very easily. For me it's not even debatable that Frankel would stay further regardless of the speed he's shown throughout his career. He's just abnormal. The Queen Anne should have been his last race over a mile.

I just pray he's raced over 1m2f at least twice before he retires. 1m4f is unimaginable but he'd stay it easily in my opinion.

[Posts: 403Joined: 25 Oct 2009, 10:28]

I guess the reason why Frankel was entered in the Sussex again was to compete with this season's 3YOs but it seems that it is their trainers that lack spirit of adventure

Frankel will step up to 10 furlongs.

[Posts: 4656Joined: 12 Mar 2008, 23:07Location: Taunton Somerset]

Nobody was complaining about just the 4 runners in last years race.

[Posts: 1030Joined: 24 Apr 2011, 00:59]

Here here to all the Frankel supporters on this thread, myself included, and even if it was a walkover he would still do it with style and panache.
It wouldn't make any difference if 14 horses turned up for the Sussex Frankel will make them all look as if they are treading air.

Let's celebrate that Prince Khaled has let Frankel race into his 4th year and not rushed him off to stud where he could be making a fortune in stud fees, and that thousands more racegoers have had the opportunity to see this superstar in action.

Also thinking of Sir Henry Cecil, unable to attend on Wednesday because of ongoing Cancer treatment that he has had recently. What better tonic than seeing Frankel pass the post 6 lengths ahead of the field, we wish him well.