United Kingdom
Frankel strikes again
There is likely no hotter stallion in the world this year than Frankel (GB), who sired his eighth 2021 Group 1 winner Friday when Inspiral (GB) won the G1 bet365 Fillies’ Mile.
The 1600bmetre Newmarket race saw her easily win by 2.5l over Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) with Cachet (Ire) (Acclaim {Ire}) 0.25l back in third.
“She travelled well into the race and handled the dip,” trainer John Gosden told Thoroughbred Daily News. “You want to know if they will handle the dip and it might be different if it was fast ground, but she handled it well and I'm very happy with her. She is a big girl, but is getting stronger all the time.”
Now undefeated in four starts with three stakes wins to her name, Inspiral is one of 50 stakes performers and 25 stakes winners for Frankel this year. The filly is one of two stakes performers for her Group 1-placed dam Starscope (GB) (Selkirk {USA}), who is out of a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Medicean (GB) (Machiavellian {USA}). Also from the family of Australian Group 3 winner Gris Caro (GB) (With Approval {USA}), Inspiral is a fourth-generation Cheveley Park Stud homebred.
Al Suhail another Group winner for Shirocco Star
Just two weeks after half-brother Starcaster (GB) (Dansili {GB}) won the bet365 Benalla Cup, Al Suhail (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) went even better for dam Shirocco Star (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}) with a first Group win in the G2 Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards Challenge S.
Racing at Newmarket, the Godolphin runner was in command for the entire 1400-metre race to beat With Thanks (Ire) (Camacho {GB}) by 3.5l with Chindit (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) 0.25l back in third.
In addition to the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Starcaster and Al Suhail, multiple Classic-placed Shirocco Star is also the dam of multiple Group 2 winner Telecaster (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) from her three named foals.
United States
Juju’s Map makes statement in Alcibiades
Juju’s Map (USA) (Liam’s Map {USA}) did more than just win her way into the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Friday, she made a statement by romping home by 4.25l in the G1 Darley Alcibiades at Keeneland.
Going off as a slight favourite, the filly was always close up to the lead but once she took command the race was all but over. Distinctlypossible (USA) (Curlin {USA}) was closest to her in the end with Sequist (USA) (Nyquist {USA}) 0.25l back in third.
“We’ll obviously talk it over with the Albaugh team (owners), and as long as she comes out of it in good order I think we’ll march on toward California (for the November 5 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies). It was a good trip last time and hopefully she can show up and run her race and be very effective,” said trainer Brad Cox.
From the third crop of Liam’s Map (USA), the filly is out of a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Fault (USA) (Blame {USA}) and the multiple Graded stakes-placed 23-time winner Betweenhereandcool (USA) (Unbridled’s Song {USA}). Juju’s Map is the second juvenile stakes winner of the year and fourth Grade 1 winner overall for her sire.
