Article Date: 23-May-2012
The chances of Frankel facing Camelot at Leopardstown in September were dealt a blow today when the name of the world's best racehorse was missing from the entries for the Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes.
Frankel's connections have supported the Leopardstown race in recent years, running Twice Over on two occasions, so hopes were high that last Saturday's Lockinge Stakes winner would at least be entered for the €750,000 contest on September 8th. There is a supplementary stage a week before the race.
Cecil told the Guardian: "It's a great race and everything, but it's not in his programme. "If, say, he's going to go for the Sussex Stakes (Goodwood, August 1) and then the Juddmonte (York, August 22), then he can't run in that, too. We can't enter him in everything."
The 10-furlong race has attracted 50 entries from Ireland, England and France. The English Guineas winners Camelot and Homecoming Queen are both entered, while leading Epsom contenders Bonfire, Main Sequence, Parish Hall, Kissed and Maybe are also engaged.
Amongst the older horses there are multiple Group 1 winners Cirrus Des Aigles (pictured), St Nicholas Abbey and Twice Over. Last year’s Prix du Jockey Club winner, Reliable Man is entered, as are Dubai World Cup night winners Monterosso and Cityscape.
Last year’s winner So You Think and runner up Snow Fairy are entered. Other interesting inclusions are Light Heavy, Akeed Mofeed, Famous Name and Born to Sea. The Queen’s Carlton House is another notable entry.
The Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes is the sixth highest rated race in the World. Former winners include Sea The Stars, New Approach, High Chaparral and Fantastic Light, who memorably defeated Giant’s Causeway in the 2001 edition.
The race is also part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series where the winner gets an automatic entry and travel allowance to the Breeders’ Cup which will be run this year in Santa Anita.
The Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes is the highlight of a major day’s racing at Leopardstown. Sharing centre stage is the other Group 1, the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes. There is also the Group 3 Kilternan Stakes.
This year Leopardstown will add a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Trial, a listed race over a mile, formerly the Golden Fleece. This race will suit European horses being aimed at the Breeders Cup and looking to run over a left-handed course.
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