Coolmore and Zayat Stables Set to Reveal Frankel Colt

The last race at Naas Sept. 19 sees the debut of one of the most highly anticipated 2-year-olds of the season, as Aidan O'Brien takes the wraps off the Frankel colt Old Glory.

The colt became the most expensive yearling sold in Ireland last year when agent Justin Casse went to €1.6 million (US$1,887,200) on behalf of Zayat Stables at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale.

The juvenile will be the first runner in Ireland to carry the colors of Zayat Stables, made famous by Triple Crown hero American Pharoah , who own the horse in partnership with Coolmore.

"We came here looking for horses with stallion potential," said Casse after signing the docket at last year's Orby Sale. "Justin Zayat liked him and Aidan (O'Brien) liked him, and the parties involved know all about making stallions. Plus, he's out of a young stakes-producing mare."

Casse was accompanied by Justin Zayat, who said of the colt: "He's an unbelievable physical and as soon as I saw him I said 'Wow—I can't leave here without him.' I'm looking for a rock star that can start our global expansion!"

Bred by Eddie Irwin's Rockhart Trading, Old Glory is the fifth foal out of the winning Xaar mare Belesta, who is herself out of the Prix de Royaumont (G3) winner Bellarida, whose family have enjoyed notable success this year, with her granddaughter With You landing the Prix Rothschild (G1) and her great granddaughter Teppal claiming the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (G1). Belesta is also a half sister to group 3 winner—and dam of Prix de l'Opera Longines (G1) heroine We Are—In Clover.

Old Glory is a close relation to dual Norwegian group 3 winner Giuseppe Piazzi, a son of Galileo who landed the Oslo Cup and the Scandinavian Open Championship, and is a half brother to Adjusted, a son of Montjeu who won the Ladbrokes Herbert Power Stakes (G2) in Australia.

Since producing Old Glory the dam has had a colt, now a yearling, by Starspangledbanner.

O'Brien already has a fruitful association with the progeny of Frankel, notably with Galileo Irish E.B.F Futurity Stakes (G2) winner Rostropovich—who also landed a group 3 at the Curragh on Saturday—and dual group 3 winner Nelson.

Zayat Stables have also enjoyed success with Frankel's offspring, as the operation owns the stakes-winning Gidu, a €410,000 ($457,683) purchase from the 2016 Arqana Deauville August Yearlings Sale who also finished a close sixth in this year's Commonwealth Cup (G1).