Lyons has Frenetic jockey search for Nunthorpe bid

Nick Robson
July 21, 2020 5:00 pm

Filly ‘all speed’ and on course for the Knavesmire.

Ger Lyons is eager to test juvenile filly Frenetic against older horses in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes, as long as he can find a jockey who can make a feather weight at York.

Under the conditions of the race, two-year-old fillies are scheduled to carry 7st 12lb, although that rises by 2lb to 8st should such a runner be declared as that is the minimum riding weight in Britain.

That leaves Lyons seeking a rider capable of making that mark for his charge, who blazed a trail on her first two starts over five furlongs before falling just a head short when upped to six furlongs in a Curragh Group Two on Sunday.

“It wouldn’t be my style running a two-year-old against their elders, but she’s all speed – even though I think she gets six well,” said Lyons.

“If you watch the race, it’s the first time she’s ever seen another horse. She saw off the Ballydoyle horse and Chris (Hayes on Aloha Star) attacked her late and by the time she looked she was coming back at the line.

“I think she’s very fast, but the problem we could have is a jockey as she’ll have a very low weight. I asked Chris, who jumped at the chance, but I think it’s even too light for him.”

Lyric Fantasy famously took advantage of the hefty weight allowances against older horses to triumph in 1992, while Kingsgate Native was the last juvenile to lift the Group One prize in 2007.

As well as Frenetic, other top two-year-olds in line for the York showpiece include The Lir Jet and Golden Pal, who finished first and second respectively in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.