Wild Beauty a Grade 1 winner for Frankel

Godolphin's Wild Beauty became the first North American top-level winner for Frankel, overcoming an eventful start before storming home through the final furlong to prove much-the-best in the Gr.1 Natalma Stakes yesterday at Woodbine.

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News, 20th September 2021:

With the victory, Wild Beauty earns herself a spot in the field for the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar.

After sharing favoritism with Saratoga raider and chief market Pizza Bianca for the bulk of the wagering, Wild Beauty tightened into 7-5 favoritism, but looked to have it all to do early on, as she first hit the left side of the gate, then was pinballed around between Royal Engagement to her inside and Baksheesh to her outside, relegating her to a clear last.

Asked to improve her position by Frankie Dettori after the opening quarter mile, Wild Beauty found a midfield position passing the four-furlong pole and was put to a drive five-sixteenths of a mile from home. Swung out five or six wide into the long Woodbine straight, she gobbled up the ground to lead approaching the furlong marker and kicked home to score impressively.

Wild Beauty is the 19th worldwide Group/Grade 1 winner for Frankel, who has sired top-level winners now in eight countries (England, Japan, Australia, France, Ireland, UAE, Germany and Canada). She is the 25th Gr.1 winner out of a daughter of Cheveley Park's legendary Pivotal four of which are by Frankel (Cracksman, Hungry Heart, Veracious).