Weekly Wrap for June 13

In contrast with the dazzling spotlight on Belmont, the European theatre has been half-lit since the Derby while the stagehands shift the scenery from Epsom to Ascot. Nonetheless there have been a couple of cameos in recent days–both elaborating a theme of fathers and sons–that may yet prove more significant, in the long term, even than the most show-stopping performance at the Royal Meeting. If it does not turn out that way, in fact, you could almost accuse the author of introducing new characters with undue melodrama.

Bloodstock professionals, of course, need no reminding that these remain the very earliest of days for Frankel (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). And they also know that few rookie stallions can have been favoured by so many partners of such pedigree and physique. At the same time, however, there has been a familiarity about his first runners that is simply too arresting to ignore.

Two more debut winners this week take his tally to four winners from five starters. Even in the context of a very sensibly managed first book, Frankuus (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) barely repaid his sire's covering fee as a 130,000-euro Goffs yearling. But he surfaced at Haydock on Thursday with a buoyancy and gusto that certainly evoked, in some degree, the blend that made his sire unique. In this of all weeks, after all, it seemed apt to remember Frankel as a champion who floated like a butterfly, and stung like a bee. He covered the ground so lightly, yet with great physical zest.

Though emerging from a stable that has introduced a series of highly professional 2-year-olds this spring, Frankuus vividly betrayed his inexperience. Once hitting the front–under a highly restrained, educational ride–the way he tilted his head to take in the view was nearly comical. With plenty of physical scope, and having only really got rolling in the seventh furlong, he looks guaranteed to progress through the summer.

It was at the beginning of the race, rather than the end, that Fair Eva (GB) (Frankel {GB}) looked green when starting her career at the same track the previous day. Slowest away, the Juddmonte homebred soon found such a rhythm that she was angling her way across and through the entire field by halfway and floated clear, again under no more than hands-and-heels encouragement. Certainly it would be fitting for one of Frankel's better offspring to be trained at Beckhampton, where Roger Charlton trained his dam.

With his first two winners heading to Ascot this week, Frankel's strike rate has presumably reached its peak at 80%. But we can certainly begin to hope that something of his prowess might yet endure in more concrete form than our memories.

Another Promising Sire….

Frankel was not the only remarkable father to stamp his stock very auspiciously last week. We have already seen how the horsemanship of Aidan and Anne-Marie O'Brien has been inherited by their children, as riders; and now that rising weight has forced the eldest of them, Joseph, to quit the saddle, we are seeing immediate dividends in his new career as a trainer.

True, it was only a formal change of status that enables us to say that Joseph sent out four winners from seven runners on his first day as a trainer. Though still only 23, he had been supervising a satellite yard under his father's name for around a year already. When he saddled a big winner over hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival in March, Joseph was specifically credited by his father. And there have been occasions, in the meantime, when son has beaten father in a race where the silks carried by different runners have been rather more instructive than the initials of the trainer listed on the racecard.

Albeit Joseph has already secured the support of Sheikh Fahad, the relatively everyday provenance of many of his horses should give food for thought to those Irish trainers who complain that they face an unequal struggle in taking on the bluebloods of Ballydoyle, on the flat; or the dominant jumps trainer, Willie Mullins. Most of us would consider his father's modesty and manners a handsome bequest, on their own; but Joseph, whether by nature or nurture, has clearly gained more besides.

Aidan can never have resented defeat less than when a colt by War Front (Danzig), heavily backed for his debut, was beaten at Gowran Park on Monday by Justice Frederick (Ire) (Lawman {Fr})–Joseph's first runner as a licensed trainer, ridden by his brother Donnacha, and homebred by neighbours in Co. Kilkenny. Justice Frederick, since added to the eve-of-Ascot Goffs sale in London, was mentioned as a possible for the Chesham S. on Saturday–which also happens to be a target for Cunco (Ire) (Frankel), so impressive when his sire's very first runner at Newbury last month. One way or another, it is proving a race to remind us that “the son also rises.”

A Noble House Continues to Thrive…

Perhaps the most gratifying result of the week was the success of Abingdon (Street Cry {Ire}) in the Newbury listed race honouring the memory of Lord Weinstock, whose Ballymacoll Stud has been so astutely maintained since his death by its long-serving manager, Peter Reynolds. Abingdon, a big, scopey filly trained by Sir Michael Stoute, was graduating from a maiden success at Ascot last month and–despite idling–dragged the runner-up a long way clear of the rest over the last of the 10 furlongs.

As the latest blossom on a family tree that traces back to Country House (GB) (Vieux Manoir {Fr})–elsewhere on its branches you find the likes of North Light (Ire) (Danehill), Golan (Ire) (Spectrum {Ire}) and Hellenic (Ire) (Darshaan {GB})–Abingdon shapes very much as though she may do better still when able to summon upon those deep reserves over a mile and a half. Her dam, Justlookdonttouch (Ire) (Galileo {GB}), is an unraced daughter of Hellenic and therefore very closely related to multiple Group 1 scorer Islington (GB) (Sadler's Wells).

Sturdy in build and obliging in outlook, she has probably only just laid the foundations for an outfit whose horses always progress as they mature. His many friends in the business will be united by the hope that Reynolds, tasked with securing new owners for the farm as he approaches retirement, will now see her add still further to its value after presiding over the broodmare band for 44 years.