Eminent looks to follow in the footsteps of Frankel after winning the Craven Stakes at Newmarket

  • Eminent won the Craven Stakes a length and a quarter ahead of Rivet
  • The colt is now as short as 8-1 for the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket
  • Eminent's sire, Frankel, obliterated his rivals in the 2011 2,000 Guineas

A power-packed performance from Eminent to win the Bet365 Craven Stakes ensured mighty Frankel will have a live contender for the 2,000 Guineas back here two weeks on Saturday.

The foundation of the Frankel legend was the obliteration of his rivals in the 2011 2,000 Guineas.

The unbeatable colt has already made his mark as a stallion with his first crop and Eminent possesses the same imposing physique of his sire.

Eminent beat Rivet to win the Bet365 Craven Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday

Eminent beat Rivet to win the Bet365 Craven Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday

In fact, he is bigger and the late Sir Henry Cecil, trainer of Frankel, would no doubt have been an admirer of Eminent, trained on the same Newmarket trial grounds by Martyn Meade.


A 33-1 shot before Thurstrial run over the same mile course and distance as the Guineas, Eminent is now as short as 8-1 after pulling a length and a quarter clear of Rivet under Jim Crowley.

Despite his new retainer with owner Sheik Hamdan Al Maktoum, the champion jockey seemed confident he would be free to ride Eminent in the Guineas.

The colt is now as short as 8-1 to win the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in two weeks' time

The colt is now as short as 8-1 to win the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in two weeks' time

Crowley, who had won a maiden on Eminent on his only other run here in September, said: 'He was the best two-year-old I sat on last year. All time I have ridden horses here I have never had a horse take so long to pull up. He has such a big stride.'

Meade had been concerned that Eminent, who cost 150,000 guineas and carries the colours of New Zealander Sir Peter Vela who owned 2001 Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal, might not get the strong pace he needs at a mile.

That should be guaranteed in the 2,000 Guineas.