Derby contenders: Casual Conquest | Curtain Call | Doctor Fremantle | Frozen Fire | Henrythenavigator | Kandahar Run | King Of Rome | New Approach | Tajaaweed | Tartan Bearer

FROZEN FIRE (GER) 3-y-o (19 Feb 2005) b c

Montjeu (IRE) - Flamingo Sea (USA) (Woodman (USA))

Trainer: A P O´Brien Owner: M Tabor, D Smith & Mrs John Magnier Bred: J U W Hoyer

Frozen Fire could hardly have better breeding for a potential Derby winner. A son of Montjeu, winner of the 1999 French and Irish Derby’s as well as the Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe. Montjeu already has Derby winners Motivator and Authorised on his C.V. In addition, his hugely talented son Hurricane Run has an Irish Derby and Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe on his personal roll of honour. Frozen Fire’s dam was a one-mile winner in Germany. She is a daughter of Woodman, sire of amongst others, Group One winners Hawk Wing and Bosra Sham.

Frozen Fire started his racecourse career in a seven-furlong maiden at Gowran Park. Help up in mid-division, he was eighth turning for home. Switched to the outside of the field, he ran on strongly to lead in the final furlong. He won with any amount in hand under a confident and cheeky Fallon ride.

Sent over for the Racing Post Trophy he, like many of the field, found the whole experience (or ground) too much for him. He eventually finished eighth, making some late progress. Aidan O’Brien decided to use the Dante Stakes at York as a starting point to his three-year-old career. Held up just behind the leaders, he made headway three furlongs from the finish. Taking the lead two furlongs from home, Frozen Fire was driven and steered to the centre of the track. Racing for the winning line, he was unable to hold the late thrust of Tartan Bearer. It was noticeable that Frozen Fire raced with a rather ungainly head carriage. Looking at the video of his Gowran Park race, he displayed a similar trait. This is not a rarity in Montjeu’s offspring and it does not necessarily suggest an attitude problem. Both sides of his breeding suggest he will improve as he develops and matures. In addition, a mile and a half will bring further improvement. Genuine good, or easier ground, may prove to be his favoured surface.

Given his ability to lie up with a decent pace and his ability to quicken, I feel Frozen Fire will be in the thick of things when the fun begins up Epsom’s famous straight.