Heavily-favored Frankel took the lead immediately at the start and never looked back, powering away from his rivals to win the QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) at Newmarket by six lengths April 30 (VIDEO) . It was the 203rd running of the British classic, and it marks the first group I of the season on the British racing calendar.
Trained by Henry Cecil for Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farm, the 3-year-old son of Galileo notched the second group I victory of his career, and remains undefeated in six starts. It was Cecil's first victory in the race in 35 years.
Rerouted was entered in the race by Cecil to ensure a good pace for his star colt, but his services were never needed as Frankel exploded from the gate under jockey Tom Queally and went straight to the front. Queally sat motionless as Frankel easily opened up several lengths on the rest of the field.
By the halfway point of the eight-furlong contest Frankel had increased his lead to 10 lengths and showed no signs of slowing down. Frankie Dettori, tracking in second aboard Casamento, went to work on his mount and tried to make a race of it. But it was of no use as Frankel cruised to the win.
Dubawi Gold got up for second, holding off Native Khan by a half-length. The final time for the mile contest was 1:37.30 over a course rated good-to-firm.
It was the third Guineas victory for Cecil, following wins by Bolkonski (1975) and Wollow (1976). The delighted trainer told reporters afterwards, “That was lovely, wasn’t it? In the last furlong, he was waiting for the other horses. It’s a relief. He’s a very good horse; it’s difficult to compare years.”
Queally, who notched his first Classic victory with the Guineas win, said after the race: “The last furlong he was idling. I’ve never sat on anything like him. He’s unbelievable. There are no words to describe what he did.”
British bookmaker William Hill installed Frankel as the 2-1 favorite to win the Investec Derby (Eng-I) on June 4, but it’s still undecided as to whether or not the colt will run.
Cecil is leaving his options open, saying, “We’ll sit and think and I’ll discuss it with the Prince (Khalid Abdullah). We’ll work it out together. Whether he’ll get a mile and a half is another matter.”
Bred in England by his owner, Frankel is out of the stakes-winning Danehill mare, Kind, who is a half-sister to champion Powerscourt.