Race 7 - St James' Palace Stakes, Group 1 (1m)
Rattled At The Royal Meeting - Result
Frankel's next start was the subject of much debate. Opinion seemed divided on whether he should stick to a mile, a distance at which he looked virtually unbeatable, or whether he should step up in trip to tackle the Derby at Epsom over 1m4f. Sir Henry had long held stamina concerns over his charge and eventually the decision was made that he would bypass the Derby in favour of Royal Ascot. This was not a decision that found favour with everyone, but a decision which did have the best interests of the horse at heart.
Frankel had already defeated his 3yo rivals in blistering fashion in the 2000 Guineas, and nothing had emerged to really lay down a challenge. But while the debate surrounding his Derby participation raged, his vanquished rivals were doing their level best to boost his form. Excelebration was an emphatic winner of the German 2000 Guineas, whilst Roderic O'Connor was triumphant in the Irish version under an excellent ride from young Joseph O'Brien. There was also the small matter of Grand Prix Boss, the best that Japan had to offer, coming over to challenge the most exciting colt for many a year. Frankel's superiority on paper was reflected in the betting as he started the 30/100 favourite. Even these prohibitive odds did not put the backers off; one punter staking £150,000! The confidence in the horse was high and defeat seemed out of the question.
The race itself was one that posed significantly more questions than it answered. Rerouted, his pacemaker, was sent into an early lead. Michael Hills pushed him clear of the field while Frankel was boxed in on the rail. As they headed down the back straight the pace was strong, and in an extraordinary mid-race move Tom Queally asked his charge to pick up the leader 5f out. The response was instant as he quickly closed the gap between field and pacemaker. The rest, fully aware of his freakish ability, set off in pursuit. Queally engaged top gear fully 4 furlongs from home and he entered the straight 6 lengths clear of the field. The move was decisive but it put his unbeaten record in serious jeopardy. His pursuers began to close the gap, but still Queally continued to push his mount out hands and heels as the chasing pack sensed victory. In the end, victory never looked in real doubt, but the manner of his win lacked the utter and emphatic superiority that his Newmarket performance had been blessed with. The expressions that his connections wore in the winner's enclosure told its own story. Both Cecil and Queally looked almost stunned. They new things had not gone to plan, but the horses unbeaten record remained intact. However, the questions began to flow: Was the horse feeling the effects of his epic Newmarket performance? Was he tiring in front? Was he just idling? Were the others catching him ? And so on. The answers, at least those offered by his connections provided some definite conclusions. He was still the best horse by far and he was just idling in front, but they almost sheepishly admitted that things had gone awry. It was a testament to the horse's ability that nothing had managed to pass him down the straight. It seems very doubtful that any other horse could have possibly manage to win in such unfavourable circumstances. There were those who said that it showed he was beatable, and there were those who said it proved he was unbeatable. They had got to within 3/4s of a length but if they had only got that close when things had gone that badly, how were they ever going to get past him?!
Older Opposition
Whilst Frankel was giving his army of supporters anxious moments in the St James' Palace Stakes, the winner of that race the previous year was giving his own fans no such worries. Canford Cliffs had complete a Group 1 five timer in the Queen Anne Stakes in the first race on the very same card, in the process taking down 13 (now 14) time Group winning mare Goldikova. Olivier Peslier put up overweight on the great mare, but, in reality, Canford Cliffs was a comfortable winner and appeared value for the 1 length margin. The Hannon/Hughes team set their sights on Frankel. Canford Cliffs was by no means certain to win, but it was a reflection of his own brilliance that he was by no means certain to lose either. And there were very few horses in the world who it appeared could realistically give Frankel a race. He was now the horse that stood in the path of Frankel's relentless pursuit of greatness. Frankel had already beaten his own generation, he now had to prove himself better than his elders. Their clash was anticipated more than any race for many a year. Billed as the 'Duel on the Downs', it would be a race to define the career's of both horses.
Race 8 - Qipco Sussex Stakes, Group 1 (1m)
Duel On The Downs - Result
Canford Cliffs had been the more impressive of the two horses at Ascot, and had defeated a stronger foe in the brilliant race-mare Goldikova. And yet, such was the confidence surrounding Frankel, Canford Cliffs still started the comfortable second choice of the punters at 7/4, with Frankel a well supported 8/13 favourite. The race attracted just 4 runners, but only two of them counted; what the race lacked in quantity it more than made up for in quality. Frankel was the undisputed best of the 3yo milers, and Canford Cliffs had confirmed himself the best of the older horses. It was a clash of the generations featuring two of the best milers that we had seen for decades.
The race billed as the 'Duel On The Downs' turned into a procession. 'Demolition On The Downs' would have been more appropriate with the benefit of hindsight. The critics had cribbed Frankel after his narrow margin victory at Royal Ascot but he answered any doubts as he surged clear in impressive fashion to leave Canford Cliffs trailing in his wake. The margin of victory was 5 lengths but the true measure of Frankel's superiority was so much more. Canford Cliffs, famed for his strong travelling racing style, was made to look ordinary as he struggled to stay with Frankel as Queally gradually allowed him to lengthen entering the final 3 furlongs. By the time the 'button' was pressed, the result was already beyond doubt, but Frankel bounded clear instantaneously to the astonishment of everyone. A race had been expected and maybe most had anticipated a Frankel win, but few could have predicted that he would dispose of a top class rival with such disdainful ease. He had confirmed himself, not only the best horse in the UK, but the best horse in Europe and the best horse in the World. His new rating was 135 taking him comfortably clear of the unbeaten Australian sprinter Black Caviar. It was a performance of rare brilliance, and, even the news that Canford Cliffs had suffered an injury and subsequently been retired to stud, could not detract from the huge impression left on all those who had witnessed it. He had always shown that he was a brilliant horse but here he had shown that he was a brilliant horse who had learned to race. Gone was the free running, hard pulling, juvenile, and here was the finished article, a lean mean racing machine, with far more talent than any other horse around. A potent combination, and one that promised oh so very much for the future.
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