3 minute read

Frankel – 143 (2012); Sakhee - 136 (2001); Authorized – 133 (2007)

Frankel – 143 (2012)

The 2012 Juddmonte International was as eagerly awaited as any renewal purely due to the presence of Frankel, a horse whose superstar credentials had long since been established. Racing at a distance beyond a mile for the first time, Frankel blew away a top-class field with ease, putting up yet another performance to rank among the greatest in history.

Punters had no doubt that Frankel had the endurance to succeed over 10 furlongs as he was sent off as the 1/10 favourite, though his rivals set out to test his stamina nevertheless as Windsor Palace cut out a strong gallop. Tom Queally was keen to get Frankel settled and gave his mount a patient ride, cruising along towards the rear before making rapid headway towards the stand rail over three furlongs out. He was still swinging along on the bridle as he took up the running, unleashing his customary burst to draw clear of his toiling rivals, and just a hands-and-heels ride was enough to defeat Farhh and St Nicholas Abbey by seven lengths.

Not only was Frankel’s visually-impressive success backed up by an outstanding timefigure and remarkable sectional time, the exploits of the beaten horses did plenty to extol the legend of Frankel. St Nicholas Abbey and Farhh would both go on to win two Group 1s the following season, reminding people that Frankel wasn’t just beating ordinary horses: he was annihilating the best out there.

Sakhee - 136 (2001)

The 2001 Juddmonte International may not have looked an extraordinary renewal beforehand but Sakhee put up a truly top-class performance in slamming his rivals by seven lengths. Sakhee had shown plenty of ability during his classic campaign, winning the Dante Stakes – over the same C&D as the International – before finishing runner-up to Sinndar in the Derby, but it was as a four-year-old when Sakhee really confirmed his superstar status.

Having warmed up with a ready win in a Newbury listed race, Sakhee was sent off as the 7/4 favourite in the International, but even his most ardent supporter couldn’t have expected such a dominant performance. Travelling strongly on the heels of the leader, Sakhee’s rider, Frankie Dettori, was confident enough to set sail for home three furlongs out, the result never in doubt from that point as he stormed clear down the straight. Sakhee then backed up the excellent impression he had created at York when winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe by five lengths, confirming his status as an exceptional middle-distance horse.

Authorized – 133 (2007)

Derby winner Authorized went into the 2007 Juddmonte International with a bit to prove having been beaten at odds-on in a muddling renewal of the Eclipse, but he quickly bounced back by exacting his revenge over Notnowcato, as well as defeating multiple Group 1 winner Dylan Thomas, who would take the Irish Champion Stakes and Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe on his next two starts.

Authorized impressed with how strongly he travelled at York, the solid gallop appearing barely quick enough, and he was in full control once hitting the front on the approach to the final furlong. Authorized’s win against older horses in such a strong renewal of the Juddmonte International enhanced his standing, showing that his Derby romp was by no means a one-off performance, and he is remembered as one of the best Derby winners of recent times.