Friday 27th June 2014 - "Frankel's Brother" / Grand Prix De Saint-Cloud Preview

"Frankel's Brother" / Grand Prix De Saint-Cloud Preview

Frankel. Superlatives can never illustrate or capture his greatness, but nevertheless, he was undoubtedly a phenomenon, a freak of nature, a spectacular specimen. Sir Henry Cecil's equine sparked one of the most blissfully heart-warming revival tales to be been told in an awfully long time- both inside racings' body and beyond. Nevertheless, fairy tales come in all shapes and sizes, and the legacy left by the much loved alliance has provided us with another. Eloquent and hugely likeable, Lady Jane Cecil overtook Henry's beloved Warren Place following his passing over a year ago, and one of the horses that has since bloomed under her care is Noble Mission. Breeders will tell you, breed the best with the best and all you can hope for is the best, but Juddmonte's mare Kind and Coolmore's Galileo have built up a profitable coalition. Noble Mission is a full brother to Frankel, and for the first 3 years of his career, was considered nothing more than a consistent understudy. 2014 brought about masses of improvement, and the 5 year old colt is now coming of age, having 2 Group 3's to his name, and a Group 1. Frankel never did voyage abroad, but the same cannot be said for his brother, who now endeavours on a second journey to France for the Grand Prix De Saint-Cloud. With him he flies the flag of British racing, and the hopes that Cecil's wife and Frankel's sibling can advance on their achievements.

Montjeu, Helissio, El Condor Pasa, and most recently Novellist, all figureheads of their generations, won the Group 1 mile and a half contest at Saint-Cloud. In addition, 2011s renewal witnessed the race grow in significance, as winners would directly be granted an automatic invitation to compete in the Breeders' Cup Turf of the same year. Often considered a useful trial for the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe, the Grand Prix De Saint-Cloud offers a tempting €400,000 purse, which encourages raiders from all around Europe.
 
 
 


Montjeu winning the 2000 renewal by 5 lengths from Daring Miss and Sagamix. Before this he had won the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh. Noble Mission aims to do the same double.

 
 
 
 As it stands, a sextet will oppose Noble Mission in completing his first Group 1 double. Home-grown talent is primarily represented in the shape of FLINTSHIRE, whom himself last raced on British soil, 2 lengths behind Cirrus Des Aigles in the Coronation Cup at Epsom. This form, along with an assemble of admirable accolades from his 2nd season (including wins in the Prix du Lys Longines and most notably the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris) suggests he will be the chief threat. Andre Fabre is a formidable opponent in any sphere, yet confidence is commanded for Khalid Abdullah's second elective.
 
 
 
 

 Flintshire. A prime contender.

 
 
 
 
MELEAGROS is another hailing from France, yet his abilities have thus far been exposed at a lesser level. Alain Couteil's colt is yet to win above listed class, and hasn't passed the post first in over 12 months. A respectable 3/4 length 2nd on his last appearance in a Group 3 at Longchamp to the re-opposing Spiritjim sees him short of what is required to win here. Place money beckons if this horse is to step up at all on his previous efforts.
 
The aforementioned SPIRITJIM holds more promise. On only 2 occasions has he ever been beaten and he has shown progression this season. Narrowly winning the Group 2 Grand Prix de Chantilly on his last start he also won the Group 3 Prix d'Hedouville in May.
 
Peter Schiergen is no stranger to international success and his German charge EMPOLI although having only ever won one race at his local track Krefeld, has performed admirably in Dubai and the UK. He was behind Cirrus Des Aigles, Flintshire and Ambivalent at Epsom and bids to improve on his luckless travels thus far. 
 
 
 
 

Flintshire (2nd) beats Empoli (blue silks, 4th) in the Coronation Cup at Epsom.

 
 
 
 
NARNYIN, a relatively unexposed daughter of Dubawi (having not raced at 2), faces the colts for the first time in the highest of company here. Under the care of master trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre and owned by H H Aga Khan, she has obvious claims. She resembles 2011 Grand Prix De Saint-Cloud winner Sarafina, who was also a filly- she would go on to place 3rd in the 2010 Arc to England's Workforce, and 7th to Germany's Danedream in the 2011 renewal. Although on paper it appears she has a tough assignment, the faith of her connections is evident, which has to be admired due to their highly professional status.
 
SILJAN'S SAGA completes the current line-up and joins Narnyin in being the second filly in the field. Connections perseverance has paid off after racing in company with high class fillies such as Purr Along and Tasaday, as she won the Group 2 Prix Corrida last time out. She is a useful filly having won 5 races in total, and has more experience than her other female competitor. However, that fails to challenge the properties the others boast.
 
 
 
 
 

                   Noble Mission with Lady Cecil and the team at Warren Place after his Tattersalls Gold Cup win.

 
 
It is sure to be a punishingly competitive race, but the ground conditions will suit NOBLE MISSION and he is fairly adaptable with regards to positioning in a race, although of late his trademark front-running qualities have seen him to best effect. Soft ground is not essential, but it helps the Galileo colt, whereas it may slightly inconvenience others. Frankel started his new career at stud following his final victory in the 1m 2f Champions Stakes at Ascot, he was aged 4. Noble Mission stays further than Frankel, having won a listed race at 1m 4f. Unlike his brother, he was recruited and prepared for another season in racing. Having won £190,869.75 in this season alone, it has proved a worthwhile, wise decision. Having won on 7 occasions (3 of them being within the past 3 months and 2 days), Noble Mission doesn't ooze the same star quality Frankel portrayed- as he was unbeaten throughout an illustrious career spanning over 14 races. There is something ever so endearing about the bridesmaid who has grown to prove his worth, and Noble Mission's popularity is growing as he establishes himself in his own right. 1 year his brothers' junior, Noble Mission could yet grow into an even better horse. As he leaves the stalls on his 19th start at Saint-Cloud, his dynasty will be willing him on.  The form of his previous wins this season have been franked by the likes of Telescope in the Hardwicke Stakes, Contributer in the Wolferton Handicap and Magician in the Prince Of Wales' Stakes (finishing 2nd to The Fugue). Considering the improvement he has made so far this season, if he continues in that vain of form he will surely make indeed his connections, and his big brother proud. Sir Henry, an elegant, softly spoken man, is sorely missed from our sport. Should his wife train a dual Group 1 winner, perhaps a nod, a signature tilt of the head and a wry smile from above would linger longer than anything else ever could.