Luther becomes Frankel's 100th Northern Hemisphere Group winner

Luther (Frankel) crossed the line second to Zulu Kingdom in Friday's Gr.2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga, but endured a year's worth of trouble in running and was ultimately promoted to the victory by the stewards, giving his sire his 100th Northern Hemisphere Group winner.

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News, 2nd August 2025, by Alan Carasso:

Taken back to the rear of the field as Mi Bago stole away up front, the Tattersalls October graduate was bumped soundly into the first turn by longshot Tiz Dashing and was relegated to last. Joel Rosario availed himself of what appeared to be clear sailing down the backstretch and he began pinching ground at the fence, only to be stymied yet again inside of Clever Again with about a half-mile to travel.

In the meantime, Zulu Kingdom was ridden patiently in the clear by Flavien Prat and kicked it into high gear when popped the question, quickening up to score by a convincing margin. Rosario claimed foul against the first-past-the-post, arguing that Prat came in on Tiz Dashing, forcing that one into Luther and the stewards ultimately upheld the protest. Clever Again, making his first start on the turf, was moved up to second and Tiz Dashing to third. Zulu Kingdom was placed fourth.

For trainer Charlie Fellowes, the result was a bit of welcome news after Shes Perfect was demoted from an apparent victory in this year's Gr.1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) and placed second.

"I know first-hand it's not the way you want to win a race," he said. "I feel really bad for the connections of the winner, as it's a bad way to win and a very tough loss for them, but I'm unbelievably proud of my horse and how well he ran. I'm gutted I=m not over there, as they keep telling me how wonderful a place Saratoga is, especially as this might be the biggest - actually I would have to say it is the biggest - win of my career. To come all the way over there to America and win a Grade II at Saratoga for a lot of money is unbelievable."

Winner of Haydock's Listed Ascendant Stakes at two, Luther was runner-up in a April conditions test over the Chelmsford all-weather ahead of a close fourth to Henri Matisse in the Gr.1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) at ParisLongchamp. Well back in the Gr.1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly over an extended mile and a quarter in  June, the bay made belated progress to round out the trifecta in the July Gr.1 Belmont Derby over nine furlongs.

Fellowes suggested Luther's American sojourn is likely at its end for now, but that a return trip for a race like the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Mile or, alternatively, a race in Australia could be in the offing.