Frankel sires first winner from first starter in England

European star and first-crop sire Frankel got his first winner with his first starter when Cunco rallied from midpack in a 6-furlong maiden race worth $14,377 for 2-year-olds at Newbury to win by about three-quarters of a length over Isomer in the 7-horse field.

Cunco, a bay colt, is an Irish homebred for the international operation of Don Alberto, which is based in Chile. He is trained by John Gosden and ridden by Robert Havlin. Cunco was a narrow 5-2 favorite over Oceanus, who finished third. All seven starters were making their racing debut.

Frankel, by Galileo out of Kind, by Danehill, won 14 starts over three seasons, earning $4,789,144 and named Cartier Horse of the Year at 3 and 4. His 10 Group 1 victories include the 2000 Guineas, Champions Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, and Juddmonte International.

He has 111 foals in his first crop.

Frankel was bred and raced by Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farm and went to stud at Abdullah’s Banstead Manor in England in 2013. He stands for a fee of $180,000 (125,000 pounds).

The dam of Cunco, Chrysanthemum (by Danehill Dancer), won two Group 3 races in Ireland, taking five of 12 starts, and earning $275,329. Don Alberto purchased her in foal to Frankel for $1.37 million at the 2013 Tattersalls December breeding stock sale.

Don Alberto’s owners are Carlos Heller Solari and his mother Liliana Solari. Don Alberto bought the former Vinery in 2013. Don Alberto also has a breeding operation in Australia.

In South America, it has some 300 broodmares and has stood such stallions as Stay Thirsty, Henrythenavigator, Stevie Wonderboy, and No Nay Never.