With the Flat campaign now almost upon us, anticipation is building ahead of what promises to be another stellar season. As ever at the beginning of a new year, all of the main questions remain unanswered. Who will step up in the Classics? Will the heroes of last season be as good this time around?
One of the most exciting aspects of 2023 will be the appearance of new stars on the scene. Those runners who emerge from the raft of two-year-old debutantes to announce themselves as a cut above the competition. The best of the best will be crowned the Cartier Champion Two-Year-Old at the end of the season, and head into their Classic campaign carrying the hopes and dreams of connections.
Exactly who those stars will be remains to be seen, but here we take a look back at five of the best Champion Two-Year-Olds of the current century, using the respected Racing Post Ratings (RPR) as our barometer.
5. 2001: Johannesburg
- Sire – Hennessy
- Trainer – Aidan O’Brien
- Peak Juvenile RPR – 125
- Peak Career RPR – 125
Two-Year-Old Season
Aidan O’Brien’s star was simply perfect in his juvenile year, winning on all seven visits to the track. Much too good for the competition in the Group 3 Norfolk Stakes and Anglesey Stakes, he made similarly short work of Group 1 opposition in landing the Phoenix Stakes, Prix Morny, and Middle Park Stakes. Upped from sprinting trips to 1m½f and switched to a dirt surface for his final start at two, he used his blistering turn of foot to devastating effect to see off the best of the US runners in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
Subsequent Exploits
Johannesburg’s career burned bright and early, before fading immediately during his three-year-old season, with the colt disappointing in all three starts before being retired to stud. A moderate success as a stallion, the most talented of his progeny was the 2008 Prix d’Ispahan winner, Sageburg.
4. 2007: New Approach
- Sire – Galileo
- Trainer – Jim Bolger
- Peak Juvenile RPR – 125
- Peak Career RPR – 131
Two-Year-Old Season
Another horse with a perfect record at two, the first Galileo colt on our list landed all five juvenile starts, showing improvement in every outing. New Approach bagged a first Group 1 when comfortably landing the National Stakes, before earning his peak RPR when denying Fast Company and Ravens Pass in an excellent renewal of the Dewhurst Stakes.
Subsequent Exploits
New Approach is the first of our stars who really went on to deliver on his potential, finishing second in the 2008 2000 Guineas before going one better in the Derby, Irish Champion Stakes, and Champion Stakes at Newmarket. Now a successful stallion, he counts 2018 Derby winner, Masar amongst his offspring.
3. 2018: Too Darn Hot
- Sire – Dubawi
- Trainer – John Gosden
- Peak Juvenile RPR – 125
- Peak Career RPR – 125
Two-Year-Old Season
As a full brother to the talented So Mir Dar and Lah Ti Dar, Too Darn Hot could scarcely have made more appeal on paper, and delivered all that was hoped for during a stellar juvenile campaign. Debuting with a seven-length win at Sandown, his steady progression culminated in a hugely impressive Dewhurst success, with subsequent Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck amongst those in behind.
Subsequent Exploits
The John Gosden star initially disappointed at three, losing his first three starts despite being sent off favourite each time. However, things came good in the end, as he rediscovered his mojo to bag a Group 1 double in the Prix Jean Prat and Sussex Stakes. Also now at stud, his first crop is due to hit the track in 2023, so keep your eyes peeled!
2. 2010: Frankel
- Sire – Galileo
- Trainer – Sir Henry Cecil
- Peak Juvenile RPR – 126
- Peak Career RPR – 143
Two-Year-Old Season
No surprise to see Frankel on a “best of” list, however, it is a slight shock to see him in the number two position. The Henry Cecil star could have done little more in his first season – winning all four starts by a combined 25¾l, and earning an RPR of 126 in the Dewhurst Stakes – but with this horse, those efforts were only a hint of the brilliance to come.
Subsequent Exploits
The greatest Flat horse of our generation – and some would say of all time – went on to record a perfect career record of 14 wins from as many starts, including no fewer than 10 Group 1 triumphs. Sensational on the track, Frankel has also proved a smash hit at stud, having already given us Classic winners Adayar and Hurricane Lane, and Arc heroine Alpinista.
1. 2019: Pinatubo
- Sire – Shamardal
- Trainer – Charlie Appleby
- Peak Juvenile RPR – 128
- Peak Career RPR – 128
Two-Year-Old Season
The top spot belongs to Charlie Appleby’s precocious Shamardal colt Pinatubo, who swept all before him in 2019. Named after a volcano, this impressive bay was truly explosive in winning all six juvenile outings. His victories in the Vintage Stakes and Dewhurst were dazzling, but it was a jaw-dropping nine-length romp in the National Stakes which marked him out as the greatest juvenile of the modern era.
Subsequent Exploits
Brilliant as he was at two, Pinatubo wasn’t able to carry that dominance into his classic season, finishing only third in the 2000 Guineas and second in the St. James’ Palace Stakes. However, he did at least pick up another top-level win when getting on top late in the Prix Jean Prat. Now standing at Dalham Hall Stud, he is a sire to look out for in the coming years.
