It was six years ago today, that the wonderful Frankel put in that memorable, and remarkable performance in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot for the late Sir Henry Cecil, handing the Aiden O’Brien trained Excelebration an 11-length beating.
How time flies, still fresh in the memory, many racegoers will remember it as though it was yesterday, the way Frankel travelled so smoothly into the race before a quick shake of the reins from the supremely confident Tom Queally allowed him to lengthen his stride and showcase his incredible turn of foot, putting the race to bed in the the blink of an eye.
It was one of Royal Ascot’s most memorable performances, and it is questionable whether we will ever have the pleasure of witnessing another horse like him or not for many years to come at the very least. The son of Galileo was retired later that season holding a perfect record of 14 career starts with 14 victories, 10 of which were Group 1’s.
However, following his retirement Frankel’s legacy continues to grow and this year’s renewal of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes epitomises this. Not only could we witness a special performance from the hot odds-on favourite and son of Frankel, Cracksman, but the Martyn Meade trained Eminent who is also out of the great horse, has the potential to run a big race too.
Some will have their doubts over Cracksman, following his visually unimpressive victory at the Derby meeting earlier this month, but given that the ground was soft enough and the fact a big galloping horse like he is, means the Idiosyncrasies of the Epsom track were not to his liking.
It could be argued that to pull the victory out of the fire in the manner of which he did was a huge run, and on better ground and a track which he evidently loves, John Gosden’s 4-year-old can show his star quality by going on to land the Prince of Wales’s Stakes in impressive fashion.
However, the prices on offer provide slim pickings, and in a seven-runner race which only offers each way terms of two places, there may be value in putting up a forecast selection at a more working-mans price.
The Sir Michael Stoute trained Poet’s Word is the clear second favourite, he beat Laraaib - who contests a listed race at the Royal meeting later today (5.35pm) - by 2 ¼ lengths in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes, form which in this context doesn’t stack up to much and although Stoute is renowned for bringing his horses on in time, his record in this race isn’t great, having not landed first prize since Stagecraft way back in 1991.
Highland Reel won last year’s renewal for Aiden O’Brien, who is represented this time around by last years Derby second, Cliffs of Moher. He has to be respected coming into the race off the back of a solid run in the Tattersalls Gold Cup finishing a 2 length second to Lancaster Bomber, and the quick ground may bring about further improvement.
However, despite his disappointing seasonal reappearance at Chester, it could be Eminent who gives Cracksman most to do. Martyn Meade’s Colt ran with credit on a number of occasions last season, winning the Craven Stakes at Newmarket before coming fourth in the Derby and finishing third in the Irish Champion Stakes. His trainer has been extremely bullish about his work at home, and the form of his last run was too poor to be true. Martin Meade’s 4-year-old can follow Cracksman home and provide Sire Frankel with a 1-2 in the Prince of Wales’ Stakes.
