Sports Then and Now

Where will Frankel run next?

After Frankel’s incredible performance at York on Wednesday afternoon, where he stormed to victory by seven lengths, questions are now arising as to whether he will run in the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on October 7th.

Those assessing Racing tips from Bet Victor note how the Juddmonte International Stakes was the first time Frankel had ran over a mile, but he was still the red-hot favourite to come out on top and did not disappoint.

Owner Prince Khalid Abdullah has now hinted that is it possible that the four-year-old may now compete in the Arc, but he will hold talks with Sir Henry Cecil before making any final decisions.

He said: “I will talk to Henry and, if he thinks so, we will take him there.”

Frankel does not currently hold entry for the Arc though and it is being suggested that Prix du Moulin at Longchamp next month and either the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes or Champions Stake at Ascot in October are the more likely races that he will compete in before retirement to stud at the end of the campaign.

Abdullah’s racing manager, Lord Teddy Grimthrope has echoed the thoughts of Prince Khalid, saying that they must make the right decision and Frankel’s condition will be the main factor in what they do.

Grimthrope explained: “There is the Moulin – we have talked about that before – there is the Champion Stakes, there’s the QEII, there’s a race called the Arc de Triomphe, which he’s not entered in.

“We have to give that some consideration but, as Henry said, the horse will tell us where we’re going.

“We have to talk about plenty of things now. Everything will be discussed – it’s a nice problem to have. How lucky could we be?”

There has been talk amongst a few Horse racing news sources that Frankel may head to California to compete in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in California in October but Grimthorpe all but put an end to that speculation by saying: “Prince Khalid loves the Breeders’ Cup and we would love to take Frankel to Santa Anita,

“But unfortunately the right race is not there – we’re not going to take him on dirt.”

Whatever decision they make, people are sure to come out in their thousands to watch one of the best horses of all time race again.