The QIPCO 2000 Guineas is shaping up to be a vintage renewal this season, with leading contenders from Ireland, France and Britain plus two representatives of the first crop of the unbeaten wonder horse, Frankel, set to do battle in the first leg of the 2017 QIPCO British Champions Series at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile Racecourse on Saturday, 6th May.
A total of 19 horses remain engaged in the £500,000 Group 1 mile contest following today’s forfeit stage.
Ante post favourite Churchill, from the leading Irish trainer of his generation, Aidan O’Brien, heads the list, alongside Al Wukair, from the 27-time French Champion Trainer, Andre Fabre, and one of Frankel’s progeny, Eminent, from the little-known Newmarket-based yard of Martyn Meade.
Churchill is already a dual Group 1 winner but has not been seen since landing the second of those top level contests, the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes, on the Rowley Mile last October.
By contrast Al Wukair has proved his wellbeing recently, when comfortably disposing of the Group 1 winner, National Defense, in the Group 3 Prix Djebel at Maisons-Laffitte on 10th April.
Eminent made a similarly striking return to action when defeating fellow QIPCO 2000 Guineas entry, Rivet, by a length and three-quarters in the Group 3 bet365 Craven Stakes over the QIPCO 2000 Guineas course and distance on 13th April.
Frankel won the QIPCO 2000 Guineas in spectacular fashion in 2011, the second of ten Group 1 triumphs during a 14-race career. He has made a superb start to his second job, as a stallion at Prince Khalid Abdulla’s Banstead Manor Stud, siring six Group-winning two-year-olds – more than any other stallion in the Northern Hemisphere.
Ironically, Barney Roy, the other top British QIPCO 2000 Guineas contender, is from the first crop of Excelebration, who never beat Frankel in five attempts, chasing him home on four occasions.
Trained by Richard Hannon, Barney Roy has won both his starts, including a two length beating of Frankel’s other remaining QIPCO 2000 Guineas entry, Dream Castle, in the Group 3 Greenham Stakes over seven furlongs at Newbury last Saturday.
Lord Grimthorpe, racing manager to Prince Khalid Abdulla, owner-breeder of Frankel, said:
“The beauty of Frankel is that the expectation is so enormous that everyone expects something spectacular every time one of his progeny sets foot on a racecourse. Breeders and the public both expect him to deliver at the highest level.”
“What Frankel gives them is that good stride – which was pretty devastating in his case – and a will to win. In the Craven Stakes, Eminent really wanted to get on and do it, which was very reminiscent of his father.”
“He has started off exceptionally well as a stallion, there is no question about it, it’s tremendously exciting. He looks magnificent and is very fertile.”
“When a horse goes to stud, the interest in him tends to diminish but, unusually, in Frankel’s case if anything it has grown even further. All his charity days are booked up as people just want to see him and have their photo taken with him.”
James Doyle, rider of Barney Roy, said:
“When I won the Greenham on Barney Roy it was the first time that I had ever sat on him but everyone at home [at Richard Hannon’s yard] has done a good job keeping him relaxed.”
“He was dropping back to seven furlongs but was impressive and I was really pleased with him.”
“He got a bit lost at halfway when the race began to develop because he was so relaxed and he is crying out for the extra furlong [of the QIPCO 2000 Guineas].”
“I think that he will be much sharper on Guineas day, he will jump more alertly and travel a lot better.”
Michael Prosser, Head of Racing, Jockey Club Racecourses East Region, said:
“We have been watering the Rowley Mile since March which is pretty much unheard of and the groundstaff have been working overtime.”
“The ground was good to firm when I walked it with John Gosden this morning and we have showers forecast over the next few days.”
“We have very good growth and grass cover and, depending on the weather forecast in the lead-up to the QIPCO Guineas Festival, will adopt a positive watering approach in order to obtain good fast ground.”
