RACING PREPARES TO SAY GOODBYE TO FRANKEL: THE HORSE WHO BROUGHT BACK POSITIVE PRESS

Bittersweet news circulated around the UK this weekend about the announcement of Frankel's last ever career run which will take place at Ascot in October.

As many of you know from various articles I have written in the past, I am a fan of Frankel and watching the colt race has encouraged me to learn more about flat racing as well as the broadcasting that goes into it. 

The unbeaten race horse will compete in the 10-furlong Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 20. Despite enthusiastic suggestions from outside Frankel's yard, the thought of racing in the Prix de L'Arc Triomphe at Longchamp was turned down in favour for Ascot.

I think it is great that Sir Henry Cecil has decided that his unbeaten superstar should stay in this country and bypass Longchamp for his final farewell on the track. It gives a sense of British spirit and greatly promotes UK racing.

The increase in ticket sales on the Flat just shows how marvellous this horse truly is. After dreadful press NH horse racing received due to the deaths of Synchronised and According to Pete in the 2012 Grand National, Frankel, with the help of Black Caviar, has promoted the sport to a new high. 

Frankel's thirteenth unbeaten win in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York was a sight to see: once this colt is off our screens at the end of the year the sport won't quite be the same.

It is a shame that Cecil decided not to enter his superstar in the Arc as I reckon that race would have been the incredible for his career. Frankel would have no doubt battled for his life on the track but Ascot is still a wonderful place to display his racing ability. 

Ascot racecourse will no doubt promote Frankel's last show immensely well. With the usual attendance of around 30,000 I would not be surprised to see an even bigger turnout for the Champion Stakes.

Victory from Frankel would set a European record of nine consecutive wins at Group One level and bookmakers will offer no bigger than 1-10 odds for another Frankel first. 

I hope that a statue of the wonder-horse will be created at Ascot to remember the horse who made global headlines and put the spirit back into British racing. 

KAUTO STAR RETURNS TO YARD BUT SHOULD HE RUN AGAIN?

As the world of Flat racing holds its breath over the where Frankel will run his last race, there is a similar story to be told within National Hunt racing. 

Kauto Star has returned to Paul Nicholls' yard at the same time his stable mate Denman has left for a post-racing career as a team chaser. 

With questions being raised over the horse's future, should the popular 12-year-old return to the track for one last race? 

Kauto Star's previous run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup certainly enlightened these thoughts. Despite a heavy fall in schooling three weeks before the race, Nicholls still decided to enter his champion alongside rival Long Run.

However, it was too much to ask from the two-time Gold Cup champion, as jockey Ruby Walsh pulled  him up before the tenth fence. 

When Walsh finished the popular race that day, the crowd immediately cheered and clapped. It was noise worthy for a winner. 

And that's what I believe Kauto Star is: he is one of NH's finest, similar to how Frankel is to the Flat. 

I admire the ambition and faith Nicholls puts into Kauto Star as he is a wonder to watch. Last season the old race horse stamped his authority on NH racing. He landed a fifth King George VI Chase title at Kempton as well as returning to Haydock in perfect form. But best of all he is now mentioned in the same awe that Desert Orchid always will be.

I believe that Kauto Star has run his last race and we should remember him for the great titles he has already won; not the ones we thought he could. 

It has been an absolute pleasure watching the 12-year-old compete all his life. But for now I think that Kauto Star should follow Denman in a post-racing career. He has been out of the field all summer and despite having time to rest and soak up more energy, Nicholls should hang up his reins.

I agree that having Kauto Star back on the track for another potential win would be fantastic, but I would hate to see him having to be pulled up again.

If the champion did return for another season, he would have to be sure of a win, otherwise it will be difficult to remember him in the same light as we do now. 

But what an outstanding career he has had. Kauto Star and Frankel = two wonders of the sporting world. 

JOHN GOSDEN BUZZING AFTER NATHANIEL'S POTENTIAL BACK-TO-BACK VICTORY AT ASCOT

Focus has turned to John Gosden this week following his announcement of Nathaniel's go-ahead for back-to-back victories in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. 


After Nathaniel's successful first appearance of the season in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, the team behind the horse have had the urge to compete him in both top races.


Gosden's colt won the King George last year, beating Farhh by half-a-length. However, he had to dig-deep for the win.


A lot of talk has surrounded Farhh recently as he is to race against Frankel in the Eclipse Stakes: he is seen as a classy horse that may have the most ability to beat the superstar. (But will that ever happen?!)


Connections of Nathaniel have admitted that the horse faces a tough task to emulate Dahlia and Swain as the only third dual winner of the King George. 


Despite the challenge ahead, all signs are reportedly to be good ahead of the mile-and-a-half Group One race. 


A sign of a winner is to see the levels of enthusiasm from the team. Gosden seems hyped at the chance of winning a back-to-back with Nathaniel and you cannot leave that unnoticed. No other person knows the well-being of a horse than their trainer. If he is excited about the colt, then I will take note.


Farhh is also to be supplemented for the Qipco Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. He won the Thirsk Hunt Cup earlier in the season and his form looks ideal for him to be favourite in other Group One races.


However, seeing as Godolphin has decided to race him against Frankel, the horse's ability cannot be questioned. 


Quick Quiz:


In what years did Dahlia and Swain become dual winners of the King George? 






Also published at: @valuehorsetips - Follow me every Thursday on their blog for 'Thursday Thoughts from Abby Rugg'.

"HOW FARHH WILL FRANKEL WIN?"

The world's top-rated horse - err who is that again - oh yes, Frankel, is expected to compete against another classy horse in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on August 1. 

News has circulated around the media about the latest horse to have a go at beating the superstar: Farhh, the runner-up in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, will line up aside Frankel in a few weeks. 

Frankie Dettori will be saddling Farhh and I am sure quite a crowd will gather to see whether Frankel can pull out a mind-blowing 12th successful victory. 

Farhh ran last year's King George winner, Nathaniel, to half a length at Sandown but was unfortunate in finishing third in the Prince Wales' Stakes at Royal Ascot. 

It seems that the horse's form will be ideal to place him as favourite in other Group One races, yet Godolphin has decided to set him against wonder-horse Frankel.


Why do you think that was decided? Maybe the team thinks that Farhh will produce some magic on the day. Nevertheless I am sure an exciting race will happen at Glorious Goodwood. 

Frankel won the Sussex Stakes last year and is hoping to maintain his 'world-number one' status by making it 12-out-of-12 wins. 

However, Farhh has only raced five times to date and has previously lined up with Sir Henry Cecil's colt at Doncaster. He was sadly withdrawn at the stalls at the beginning of the race. (Frankel, at no surprise, did win the race by 13 lengths).

I tweeted: "Frankel or Farhh on August 1st at Goodwood?" And I did receive a few replies. 100% of answers being "Frankel". Or "Abby that's a dumb question". 


But my favourite one of all came from the Racing Post's sub-editor, Ross Clarke (@Rossclarke123): "How Farhh will Frankel win? About six lengths I reckon".

WORLD CLASS WINS IN FLAT CREATES POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE IN RACING AFTER TRAUMA OF GRAND NATIONAL

A fresh breeze of encouraging news has swept through racing this week with Camelot winning the Irish double.


The unbeaten colt claimed victory in Saturday's Irish Derby resulting in good of publicity for the sport alongside Frankel and Australia's Black Caviar. 


Having these three champion horses grab headlines is ideal for racing after the bad media coverage the Grand National clocked up. 


The deaths of Synchronised and According To Pete caused controversial debates, one in particular asking whether the event should be banned. 


But despite all that, it seems that this season of flat racing is giving the sport a boost: more people are reading about the wonders of Frankel and Black Caviar, and not only that, more people are actually gaining an interest due to these racing legends.


Camelot joined in as a short-priced favourite on Saturday (1-5) with previous odds being 1-10 for Frankel and 1-6 for Black Caviar.


Unlike Black Caviar, Camelot didn't have to scramble to victory. He had to work for the win as rival Born To Sea finished two-lengths behind. 


But Aidan O'Brien's colt is now priced at 1-2 to win the Triple Crown at Doncaster in September and I believe he has shown us that he can claim it. 


Ever the optimist, I want Camelot to win the rare treble like so many others I know - Imagine more positive media coverage if he did. 


For now, the terrible incidents of the Grand National have been swept under the rug and it just proves how negative headlines can cause a stir amongst non-racing fans. Rather than a mouthful of bad publicity, watching incredible wins from world class flat racing horses is exactly what the sport needs right now.

LUKE NOLEN'S LUCKY ESCAPE ON BLACK CAVIAR AT ROYAL ASCOT

Despite the story already being re-told for the past few days, Black Caviar’s nail-biting win at Royal Ascot is a race that I keep watching on repeat for two reasons.

One: The wonder from Down-Under was spectacular to watch as she wowed the crowd with her ability to run like the wind. Comparisons have been made between the mare and Frankel but both are completely different: Black Caviar is a sprinter whereas Frankel enjoys the distance.

And two: Jockey Luke Nolen’s rookie error. He stupidly eased Black Caviar for a few frightful seconds as she approached the winning post, allowing Moonlight Cloud and Restiadargent to gain advantage.

77,000 Aussies gathered together on the day to watch Peter Moody’s mare compete in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes expecting to see their heroine make it 22 out of 22 wins.

But cheers from the opposite side of the globe joined the gasps from spectators here in the UK. Imagine what would have happened if a British jockey had caused their Australian horse to lose. After so much hype and media coverage, it would have been awful if Moonlight Cloud, who finished in second, had snatched the victory.

Going into the race, the mare’s domestic rating was 132, 15 pounds below her official rating in Australia. Respect, however, has to be given to the horse. Considering she had pulled muscles in her back she produced a feisty performance to maintain her unbeaten record.

The relief on Nolen’s face when Black Caviar was announced as the overall winner is a picture that will not be forgotten quickly. Black Caviar’s close encounter is a race that will be repeated over many years.

If Nolen hadn’t eased her up then Black Caviar would have won by more than a nose, something that handicappers would have considered in giving her performance rating two pounds higher than given to French rival Moonlight Cloud.

Black Caviar flew the flag for her country with triumph and her win works as a fitting end to the BBC’s coverage of Royal Ascot. Similar to the Grand National, the narrow victory demonstrates the excitement and passion that the BBC had towards the iconic race meeting.

With the opinions and analysis of the race still being published, I reckon I won’t be the only racing fan to replay Black Caviar’s royal win at Ascot.

Also published at: @valuehorsetips - Follow me every Thursday on their blog for 'Thursday Thoughts from Abby Rugg'.

FRANKEL AND BLACK CAVIAR - BATTLE OF THE SEXES?

If you failed to watch Frankel's stunning sprint at Royal Ascot on Tuesday afternoon then you missed a piece of spectacular history being created. 


His 11th straight victory has been making headlines worldwide so you don't need me repeating the stories. 


But what I will say is that watching the colt win by an eye-bulging 11 lengths gave me goosebumps. I watched jockey Tom Queally remain with the pack and then suddenly lurch into action.


It was as if Frankel and Queally had a close connection on the day. Both jockey and horse must have thought: "Oh god, what will happen if we don't win? There's a lot of people here today... Err right, here we go. RUNNN!!" 


Or something similar to that effect...


Sir Henry Cecil's horse is something special and watching him observe Frankel after his win on Tuesday showed how much time, effort and patience he puts in to produce fantastic moment's like that one.


Now the attention is growing more on Black Caviar. I heard someone say the other day that the 2012 Royal Ascot meeting is turning into the battle of the sexes. Can the colt out-do the mare within the racing event?


What ever happens on Saturday, Black Caviar has done her team proud. The Diamond Jubilee Stakes is her first race off Australian soil and I think she will make her 22nd start one to remember. 

ROYAL ASCOT SELECTIONS - DAY ONE (TUESDAY JUNE 19)

14:30

• Frankel
• This spectacular horse looks set to continue making history and looking at his odds the bookmakers seem to think so as well. 
• Is Frankel's price too short for your liking? Try these for second and third:
• Excelebration
• Premio Loco

15:05

• Ortensia
• Seeing as this week is about Black Caviar, I'm hoping to see if other Australian horses can pull out a win. Ortensia placed first out of 15 in previous race and with 23 in this one can come out on top.

15:45

• Power
• Leading favourite and looks likely to win here. 
• Lucayan
• Could possibly make an interesting second.

16:25

• Dawn Approach
• A lot of talk around this colt. Has the ability to win here and heavily backed.

17:00

• Al Khawaneej
• Shortlisted. Liking the look of this horse and could set up a win.
• Dark Ranger
• Consistent horse. Ideal for a place bet.

17:35

• Hototo
• Has won on distance before and with previous win could possibly place first if can hold on again.
• Cosmic Chatter
• Like the look of the horse. Has also won distance before and can get a victory with Gibbons riding. 

BLACK CAVIAR SIDE-STEPS SUSSEX STAKES BUT WOULD SHE HAVE WON AGAINST FRANKEL?

First of all I would like to apologise for my absence over the last few weeks - exams have taken over as you can imagine but I am happy to say that I have finished most of them and my full attention is back on horse racing!


It was announced that a clash between undefeated horses Frankel and Black Caviar in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood 
has been ruled out.

Taken from Flickr: Black Caviar: Photo taken by Angus Richmond on October 8 2011

A statement was issued by Black Caviar's connections claiming that the mare will not be entered in the race on August 1st.

Frankel won the race last year and even though the colt looks certain to win it again, a certain question will stay risen: Who would have won - Frankel or Black Caviar?


Black Caviar is an undefeated Australian racehorse across 21 starts. Trained by Peter Moody, the mare was named WTRR World Champion Sprinter in 2010 and is still considered to be the best sprinter in the world. 


However, Frankel is a horse that shouldn't be forgotten about: the colt is unbeaten in ten starts and similar to his rival, holds the title for best racehorse in the world. 


Trained by Henry Cecil, Frankel's best performance to date is a race that will forever keep people talking. His win at Newmarket in 2011 is still described as one of the greatest displays on a British racecourse. 


If Black Caviar competed in the Sussex Stakes I believe she would have won. Even though Frankel won well last year, I think the mare has more of an edge to make a race count.


After all, she has been unbeaten in 21 races compared to her rival's ten and with Luke Nolen riding her in all her starts I reckon she could have won in the £1 million showdown. 


So - what are your thoughts: who do you think would have won between the pair?


Entries for the Sussex Stakes will be announced on Wednesday May 30.