THURSDAY OCTOBER 18th RACING POST 2012. FRANKEL WEEK COUNTDOWN TO CHAMPIONS DAY ASCOT ON SATURDAY

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RACING POST THURSDAY OCTOBER 18th 2012 .

WEEK MONDAY OCTOBER 15th TO SUNDAY OCTOBER 21st

 

REVIEW YESTERDAY'S RESULTS
http://www.racingpost.com/horses2/results/home.sd?r_date=2012-10-17 

 

 

PREVIEW TODAY'S CARDS

http://www.racingpost.com/horses2/cards/home.sd

 

PUNCHESTOWN (IRE) (JUMPS) (TURF) ATR

MEETING INFO STATISTICSFAVOURITESSIGNPOSTSSTANDARD TIMESPRINT-OUTS

GOING: Waterlogged Wednesday (Previously HEAVY); INSPECTION 8am Thursday (Grabel Mares Hurdle switched from Wednesday's abandoned card). (Mostly cloudy)

1:45	Grabel Mares Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m2f	Card	Betting
2:15	Ryan´s Cleaning Events Specialists Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m	Card	Betting
2:45	Buy Your 2013 Annual Badge Maiden Hurdle 2m	Card	Betting
3:15	10 Euro Admission All Non Festival Racedays Handicap Hurdle 2m4f	Card	Betting
3:45	Buck House Novice Chase (Grade 3) 2m2f	Card	Betting
4:15	Star "Best For Racing Coverage" Chase (Grade 3) 2m7f	Card	Betting
4:45	Ingoldsby (Q.R.) Handicap Chase 3m1f	Card	Betting
5:15	Stars Of Tomorrow Flat Race 2m	Card	Betting

Show all racecards for this meeting on one page

FRANKEL   ......   A HOUSEHOLD NAME

They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace, Christopher Robin went down with Alice ....

 .... but no ..... "the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment steps out from its Hyde Park

Barracks in London yesterday for morning exercise with a difference. Everybody's getting

excited about FRANKEL'S last hurrah.
 

"FRANKEL became a household name yesterday in an exclusive photoshoot organised

by the Racing Post, albeit in London's Hyde Park rather than the fevered  cauldron of Ascot

on Britain's richest raceday.

"Joggers, commuters and tourists came to a standstill as 18 members of the Household

Cavalry Mounted Regiment paraded in the pink, green and white colours of FRANKEL

in celebration of the world champion racehorse's final career start on Saturday.

 

"Out of the Hyde Park barracks they came, riding across the busy South Carriage Drive

in perfect pairs and on to Rotten Row for a ceremonial exercise with a distinctly light touch.

"They may be preparing for a state visit by the president of Indonesia, but horses and riders

appeared to relish the diversion.

 

"Many of the riders hope to be at Ascot on Saturday to see FRANKEL run in the

Qipco Champion Stakes, before more serious duties ahead.

"Captain Fred Hopkinson, one of the organisers of yesterday's parade, said: "It's a

novelty and very exciting for us all. FRANKEL is a horse who embodies all of that grit,
courage and flair that we strive for in the Household Cavalry at home and on operations."

 

"Captain Alex Owen, who co-ordinated the procession, said: "FRANKEL means quite a

lot to us, and those in the regiment who are into their racing  are passing on news of his
achievements to others.

"We are preparing for two state visits next month and this has been one of the biggest

ceremonial summers we've ever seen with the Diamond Jubilee and Olympic Games."

"As for the 18 sets of FRANKEL silks, created by Tree House Sporting Colours, more may

yet be seen of them.

"Harriet Collins, PR manager for the Racing Post, said: "Thanks to the Household Cavalry

Mounted Regiment, they have helped us to achieve a truly prestigious front page which
honours an incredibly special horse.

"Huge thanks must also go to Prince Khalid Abdullah for his kind permission to use the

 famous racing colours and we are hoping Sir Henry Cecil and Tom Queally will agree to sign

 them, after which they will be auctioned off for charity."

 

RP Tony Smurthwaite

Frankel: The Wonder Horse is published by Racing Post Books on November 16 at the
special price of £15 (rrp £20) Go to racingpost.com/shop or call 01933 304858.

 

RP Richard Birch

(RP Wednesday October 17)

"Family full of praise for 'first-class' Hills"

"BARRY HILLS yesterday led the tributes to his son and long - time stable jockey Michael,

 who will retire from the saddle at the end of the turf season after a magnificent career that has brought well over 2,000 winners, including the 1996 Derby aboard Shaamit.

 

 

"Michael has great honesty and integrity, and that goes along way," Hills said.

"He rode 90 group winners for me and was a first-class stable jockey. It's a sad day,

 but everyone has to retire once in their life, Michael has enjoyed a wonderful career.

"He has always been a good horseman  and I'm sure he will continue to do well at

whatever he does in racing."

 

"Twin brother Richard, who retired in March, spoke of his pride at Michael's

achievements . "We started off together and we were fortunate enough to both be

successful ," he said, "I am very proud of all he achieved as a jockey, especially

his wins in the Derby and King George (PENTIRE), two races that eluded  me.

"When I retired there was only two between us in terms of our total winners in Britain.

We both did well and, as twins, that was always particularly satisfying."

 

"Charlie Hills, took over as trainer from his father last year, thanked his brother

Michael for his invaluable assistance during the vital opening months in his new role.

"Michael has been a great help to me since I started and I hope that will continue," he said.

 

"His record, with well over 2000 winners, speaks for itself. He has ridden some wonderful horses and always been a true professional and a fantastic stable jockey. "

 

JMC Turfcall.

THE HILLS FAMILY have gifted their lives to true pioneering professional bloodhorse literacy ongoing over decades, for which the world and all the people in it to include the horses, will forever be indebted.