Cecil and Abdullah to witness ‘exciting moment’
Wednesday 15 August 2012
By Ashley Wishaw
Both Khalid Abdullah and Sir Henry Cecil should be at York racecourse next week as Frankel looks to cement his reputation as the world’s best horse in the Juddmonte International Stakes.
Frankel is making the step up to ten furlongs for the first time after going 12 races unbeaten in the race sponsored by his owner’s breeding operation.
The son of Galileo is to be joined in the 1m2f88y showpiece by stablemates Bullet Train and Twice Over, the defending champion.
Prince Abdullah was convalescing from a back operation in America when Frankel denied Farhh by six lengths across the Sussex Downs. It was the second time the 75-year-old had missed Frankel in action after he attended a wedding earlier in the season.
“I very much hope both will attend,” Lord Grimthorpe, racing manager to Abdullah, said. “Prince Khalid is determined to come if he can possibly can. Circumstances have stopped him twice from coming to see Frankel and I can’t tell you the anguish it was for him because if you breed racehorses and you get to Frankel you want to see every moment on the racecourse because they are so precious.”
Cecil missed Frankel’s Sussex Stakes victory due to his on-going treatment for stomach cancer although he was present for Frankel’s 11-length victory at Royal Ascot in June.
“The most important thing is that he hasn’t been coming racing recently,”Grimthorpe added. “He has to concentrate on his health and horses and can do that well from home. His spirits are great and he has to continue with his treatment.”
Frankel is a best-priced 1-7 with William Hill to account for what is increasingly looking to be another small field. Farhh looks a likely runner for Godolphin, while St Nicholas Abbey, Sri Putra and Planteur appear to be the only other runners.
“It’s a very exciting moment. We have been looking to the Juddmonte since the beginning of the season and that is why he went to specifically the Sussex Stakes because Henry liked the timing to get him spot on for the Juddmonte.”
Comments
Please sign in to post a comment.