Frozen Fire Wins Irish Derby

We returned from holiday 1am last night and was still quite bleary-eyed this morning, but still managed to remember to put some money on Frozen Fire this morning, when I got a price of 21/1 on him. I don't bet much; after all, it's a mug's game, but a couple of pounds on Frozen Fire were sure to be a good investment in my opinion. I was actually quite surprised to see him at such long odds. I know he ran only 11th at Epsom, but it was well publicised that he had not handled the track or the way the race was run. I felt quite confident that the Curragh would suit him better and that he would show himself to be a very good horse today.

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1) went off and Frozen Fire settled comfortably at the back of the pack. Seamus Heffernan really took it easy with him and was happy to chase the rest from the tail end. I was slightly worried, though I knew that Frozen Fire had a decent turn of foot. I properly sat up and started cheering him on when I noticed that all the other jockeys started pumping on their mounts and yet Seamie was still sitting still on Frozen Fire. He had to feel that he had plenty of horse left, I thought. Then I saw him started to make his move and the horse made ground quickly. Alessandro Volta drifted in and then out, hampering Tartan Bearer and Curtain Call in the process. It also meant that Frozen Fire had to go wide, to the middle of the track. By that time he had gained momento and no one was going to stop him.

Casual Conquest finished 2nd with Alessandro Volta back in third, but he was demoted to fourth due to the interference and Tartan Bearer was promoted to third instead. Controversially, places between Alessandro Volta and Curtain Call were not reversed.

There is plenty of debate to say that Tartan Bearer or Curtain Call would have won if not for Alessandro Volta's interference, but I disagree. This was Frozen Fire's day and he would have won no matter what.

Of course I would say that, as he is a TOF horse :o)

He won the 1m4f race in 2:31.90 under Seamus Heffernan. He is owned by Michael Tabor and trained by Aidan O'Brien in Ireland.

At The Races article

Just a note

I have been quite slack in the last week or so, but we are off on holiday to France on Saturday and trying to sort stuff out plus work is wearing me out - no good!

I just got a notification that both Ibn Khaldun and Frozen Fire are entered for the Irish Derby. I doubt whether Ibn Khaldun will run in it, as I see him as more of a miler. I hope that the fact he holds an entry means that his injury has cleared up. As for Frozen Fire, I honestly think he has a great chance. The Epsom course was not to his liking, but maybe the Curragh will suit better?

Anyway, my posts will probably be sparse until I am back from holiday on 28 June, but 29 June it is time for the Irish Derby! Wooohoo!

Plus I hope Holland will be in the final of Euro 2008 on the same day :o)

Weekend Afterthoughts 7/8June 08

The weekend did not quite go as planned, but am not too dissatisfied.

Thor's Echo's return to the track was low key, but he finished a tidy 4th behind Benny The Bull, only losing by less than a couple of lengths. He can only improve after this run and I am looking forward to his next run.

Frozen Fire only finished 11th in the Derby, but he was not disgraced and there should be a group race in him somewhere. He holds entries for the G2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot on 20 June and the Irish Derby on 29 June at the Curragh, plus the Coral Eclipse on 5 July. Whichever his connections decide to go for, he should still in with a good chance. One report said that Frozen Fire did not like the hill at Epsom at all! It was nice to be able to see him in person.

This is a photo I took of him:

Expectations For Frozen Fire's Derby

Well, today is one of the most exciting days since I started picking crops in 2001. It is the first time that one of my lot is taken its place in the ye olde Epsom Derby.

Frozen Fire will go the post in the historic race over the Epsom Downs. And in my opinion he goes in with a great chance. He was only just beaten by a head in the Dante by Tartan Bearer and the Dante has had a habit of delivering Derby winners in the last few years. He should be able to beat Tartan Bearer. Frozen Fire is relatively inexperienced, but he has improved from last year and should be able to stay the Derby distance.

What a twist it was earlier this week when Jim Bolger announced New Approach would go to the Derby after all. It certainly made the race more interesting.

Still, for me it is still Frozen Fire. I honestly believe he has the stamina and the guts to win this.

And you know what the best thing is? I will be there to see it! I am hoping to be at Epsom this afternoon. It looks to be a nice day, so I am looking forward to it. So nervous already for the Derby!

3yo - update 1

Frozen Fire is entered in the Dante Stakes (G2) at York tomorrow. If Twice Over shows up he will be a short-priced favourite, around 4/6 at the moment. Frozen Fire is expected to go off around the 14/1 mark. The race over one and a quarter miles should be right up his street and there could be a big improvement on the cards for him. Aidan O'Brien's horses seem in good form and if this guy is entered in such a race he must be deemed to have a good chance by his owner and trainer. I hope he will do really well. Unfortunately I will be at work so I won't be able to see the race :o(

Godolphin have announced that Ibn Khaldun may run in the Irish 2,000 Guineas on 24 May after a pleasing work over Chippenham hill. He ran very flat in the english version and I hope he will redeem himself, because he is much better that he showed in that race.