First of Al Asayl’s two Frankel juveniles Majoris to debut at British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes

The seventh World Arabian Horse Racing Conference opened in Rome on Thursday as over 500 delegates from nearly 100 countries will compete at the three-day annual event, Geoffrey Riddle reports.

Frankel is the highest-rated horse ever to grace a racecourse, and was unbeaten in 14 starts before retiring in 2012. Chris Levine / Leehwaik Gallery

The first of Al Asayl’s two Frankel juveniles lodged with Hugo Palmer in Newmarket take to the turf in competitive action at Haydock with Majoris set to face 13 rivals in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes on Friday.

Majoris will sport the red and black starred silks of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed’s operation and will be ridden by William Buick.

Frankel is the highest-rated horse ever to grace a racecourse, and was unbeaten in 14 starts before retiring in 2012.

Cunco, the first of his foals, ran at Newbury a fortnight ago and, fittingly for the legendary sire, won. Majoris, who was foaled on Valentine’s Day two years ago out of the beautifully bred but unsuccessful mare Drops, is not certain to appreciate Friday’s distance of 1,200 metres and could be seen to better effect over further.

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“This will be an important part of his education,” Palmer said. “I don’t think we expect him to win as this could be too short for him, but because we really like him it wouldn’t be a shock if he did.

“He came to me in December. He has been straightforward to train and has been very willing in his work and is very well balanced. Hopefully he will have a similar attitude at the races.”

Majoris was bred by Al Asayl, and is one of around 10 horses at Palmer’s Kremlin Cottage Stables owned by Sheikh Khalifa. Of those, Tsavo also shares Frankel as his sire.

“He is a long way off getting to the racecourse, but he is very nice,” Palmer added. “Of the three Frankels I have, the other is owned by Al Shaqab. Tsavo looks most like his father. He is much bigger than the other two and has not yet been asked to gallop.

“Majoris is more like Cunco, a smaller more compact type. I’m hoping for a nice introduction, but we haven’t wound him up to win first time out. He’s ready to start, but it’s a stepping stone for where we want to go.”

The seventh World Arabian Horse Racing Conference opened in Rome on Thursday.

His Excellency Saqr Naser Al Raisi, the UAE Ambassador to Italy, welcomed over 500 delegates from nearly 100 countries for the three-day annual event.

“We have to hail the support of the leadership of the UAE, who have led from the front in helping the heritage sport of the country grow,” he said.

“And with this Arabian racing has gained tremendously. We hope this conference adds to the growth and progress of the sport all over the globe.”

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