Superstar Frankel has launched his stud career in style thanks to a promising debut win by Cunco at Newbury.

The John Gosden trained colt was green in the preliminaries and through the race, but finished strongly to pick off his rivals in the Starlight Raceday Maiden Stakes (1200m) on Friday.

“He was a bit free but relaxed into the race and I couldn’t have been more pleased,” jockey Robert Havlin said.  “He was where I wanted to be, but a few just got first run on me.  He took a few strides to hit top gear, but I would say he had a few more gears left.”

Bookmakers installed him a $7 favourite for the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot net month.

Cunco’s Group 3 winning dam Chrysanthemum (Danehill Dancer) was one of the 133 mares whose owners stumped up the 125,000 pounds (AUD 189,795) covering fee for Frankel in his first year as a sire in 2013.

Frankel (Galileo) entered stud at Juddmonte’s Banstead Manor Stud in Newmarket following the conclusion of a racing career that saw him win all 14 starts.  Timeform ranked him the all-time greatest after an 11 length romp in the 2012 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.  His was given a 147 rating which put him ahead of Sea Bird (145) and Brigadier Gerard (144).

CUNCO