Jump to content

Frankel (horse): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Reverted edits by 194.66.96.112 (talk) unexplained blanking of page (HG)
←Blanked the page
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Thoroughbred racehorse infobox
| horsename = Frankel
| image = [[File:Frankel (horse).jpg|250px]]
| caption = Frankel cruises to a 13-length victory in a Doncaster Conditions stakes on his second start
| sire = [[Galileo (horse)|Galileo]]
| grandsire = [[Sadler's Wells (horse)|Sadler's Wells]]
| dam = [[Kind (horse)|Kind]]
| damsire = [[Danehill (horse)|Danehill]]
| sex = [[Colt (horse)|Colt]]
| foaled = 2008
| country = United Kingdom
| colour = [[Bay (color)|Bay]]
| breeder = [[Juddmonte Farms]]
| owner = [[Prince Khalid Abdulla]]
| trainer = [[Henry Cecil]]
| jockey = [[Tom Queally]]
| record = 13: 13-0-0
| earnings = £2,261,071
| race = [[Royal Lodge Stakes]] (2010) <br> [[Dewhurst Stakes]] (2010) <br> [[Greenham Stakes]] (2011) <br> [[2,000 Guineas Stakes]] (2011)<br>[[St. James's Palace Stakes]] (2011)<br>[[Sussex Stakes]] (2011, 2012)<br>[[Queen Elizabeth II Stakes]] (2011)<br>[[Lockinge Stakes]] (2012)<br>[[Queen Anne Stakes]] (2012)<br>[[International Stakes]] (2012)
|awards = 1st in [[World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings|World Thoroughbred Rankings]] (2011)<br>[[Cartier Racing Award|European Horse Of The Year]] (2011) <br> [[European Champion Two-Year-Old Colt]] (2010) <br> [[European Champion Three-Year-Old Colt]] (2011) <br> [[Timeform|Timeform rating]]: 147 (provisional)<ref name="guardian1">{{cite news|author=Greg Wood at Ascot |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jun/19/frankel-royal-ascot-queen-anne-stakes2 |title=Frankel hailed as greatest ever after Royal Ascot Queen Anne Stakes win &#124; Sport |publisher=The Guardian |date= |accessdate=2012-06-21}}</ref>
}}
'''Frankel''' (foaled 11 February 2008) is a British [[thoroughbred]] [[horse racing|racehorse]]. Frankel is unbeaten in thirteen races and has been the highest-rated racehorse in the world since May 2011.<ref>[http://www.britishhorseracing.com/goracing/racing/worlds_best/ News & Features: World Thoroughbred Rankings] Retrieved 17 October 2011</ref> In 2010 he defeated a field including [[Nathaniel (horse)|Nathaniel]] and Colour Vision on his debut before winning the [[Royal Lodge Stakes]] by ten lengths and the [[Dewhurst Stakes]] in which he defeated the [[Middle Park Stakes]] winner [[Dream Ahead]]. As a three-year-old, he won the [[British Classic Races|Classic]] [[2000 Guineas]] by six lengths, defeated the outstanding older miler [[Canford Cliffs (horse)|Canford Cliffs]] in the much-anticipated [[Sussex Stakes]] at Goodwood and won the [[Queen Elizabeth II Stakes]] at Ascot. Frankel extended his unbeaten record in 2012 by winning the [[Lockinge Stakes]], the [[Queen Anne Stakes]] and the Sussex Stakes for a second time. In August he was moved up to a mile and a quarter for the first time and won the [[International Stakes]] at [[York Racecourse|York]].

After his win in the [[Queen Elizabeth II Stakes]] at Ascot in October 2011, Frankel was given a rating of 143 by [[Timeform]], the highest mark awarded by the organisation in over forty years and their fourth highest of all time behind [[Sea Bird II|Sea Bird]], [[Brigadier Gerard (horse)|Brigadier Gerard]] and [[Tudor Minstrel]].<ref>[http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=racing/11/10/15/manual_164534.html&BID=465 Timeform Increase Frankel Rating] Retrieved 17 October 2011</ref> In June 2012, following his win in the [[Queen Anne Stakes]] at Royal Ascot, Timeform raised his provisional rating to 147, making him the highest-rated horse in the organisation's history.<ref name="guardian1"/>

Frankel's performance in the 2000 Guineas has been described as "one of the greatest displays on a British racecourse".<ref name="guardian2000">[http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/apr/30/frankel-henry-cecil-2000-guineas-newmarket Frankel reaches superstar status after 2,000 Guineas win at Newmarket] Retrieved 17 October 2011</ref> British bloodstock agency McKeever Bloodstock and Banstead Manor Stud Manager Philip Mitchell have suggested that Frankel has a valuation of £100 million, an estimate which may be "conservative".<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2046427/British-horse-dubbed-Usain-Bolt-racing-world-won-race-valued-100MILLION.html British horse dubbed 'Usain Bolt of the racing world' who has won every time becomes first to be valued at 100 Million] Retrieved 17 October 2011</ref>

==Background==
Frankel is a bay horse with a large white [[Horse markings|star]], a white [[Horse markings|snip]] just above his nose, and four white feet. He was bred by [[Juddmonte Farms]], and is trained by [[Henry Cecil|Sir Henry Cecil]] and owned by [[Prince Khalid Abdulla]]. The colt is named after the renowned and late American trainer [[Bobby Frankel]].

Frankel is by champion sire [[Galileo (horse)|Galileo]] and out of Listed sprint-winner Kind. Although his sire won the Derby, doubts surfaced over whether Frankel's staying power would be sufficient for the mile-and-a-half race. Frankel was instead targeted towards the St James's Palace Stakes.

Kind has foaled three horses to have raced and all have won Group races: Frankel's three-parts brother Bullet Train – often his work companion and pacemaker – has won the Group 3 [[Lingfield Derby Trial]], while Frankel's full-brother Noble Mission, after winning the Listed [[Newmarket Stakes]] and finishing second in the Group 2 [[King Edward VII Stakes]] at [[Royal Ascot]], went on to win the Group 3 [[Gordon Stakes]] at [[Glorious Goodwood]]. Both relatives are also trained by Sir Henry Cecil and owned by Prince Khalid Abdulla. As a descendant of the broodmare Circassia, Frankel is from the same branch of Thoroughbred family 1-k which also produced the 2000 Guineas winner [[Don't Forget Me (horse)|Don't Forget Me]].<ref name="bloodlines1">{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodlines.net/TB/Families/Family1k.htm |title=Rouge Rose - Family 1-k |publisher=Bloodlines.net |date= |accessdate=2012-06-23}}</ref>

Frankel is bred on the Galileo-Danehill cross, a notable nick that is also apparent in the pedigrees of Group 1 winners [[Teofilo (horse)|Teofilo]], [[Golden Lilac]], Roderic O'Connor, [[Maybe (horse)|Maybe]] and Cima De Triomphe.

==Racing career==

===2010: Two-Year-Old Season===
Frankel began his two-year-old career on 13 August in a one mile maiden race at Newmarket on soft ground. He broke slowly, and was held up by jockey [[Tom Queally]] before making headway two furlongs out. He led inside the final furlong and ran on to win "readily"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racingpost.com/horses/result_home.sd?race_id=511657&r_date=2010-08-13&popup=yes#results_top_tabs=re_&results_bottom_tabs=ANALYSIS |title=EBF Maiden |publisher=Racing Post |date= |accessdate=2012-06-23}}</ref> by half a length from John Gosden's future [[King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes]] winner [[Nathaniel (horse)|Nathaniel]].

Four weeks later, Frankel ran in the Frank Whittle Conditions Stakes over seven furlongs at [[Doncaster Racecourse|Doncaster]]. Only two horses opposed him (second favourite Farhh was withdrawn before the start) and he started at odds of 1/2. Tom Queally tracked the leader Diamond Geezah before moving Frankel to the front a furlong from the finish. The horse accelerated past his opponents and drew away to win by thirteen lengths in impressive style.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racingpost.com/horses/result_home.sd?race_id=513150&r_date=2010-09-10&popup=yes#results_top_tabs=re_&results_bottom_tabs=ANALYSIS |title=Frank Whittle Stakes |publisher=Racing Post |date= |accessdate=2012-06-23}}</ref>

====Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes====
On 25 September, Frankel tackled Group company for the first time in the Juddmonte [[Royal Lodge Stakes]] at [[Ascot Racecourse|Ascot]], a race sponsored by his owner Khalid Abdulla. The race was notable for Frankel's mid-race move around the home turn, and the colt beat subsequent [[Horris Hill Stakes]] winner Klammer by 10 lengths. [[Treasure Beach (horse)|Treasure Beach]], the [[Epsom Derby]] runner-up and [[Irish Derby]] winner the following year, was beaten just under 11 lengths. After the race, Peter Scargill of ''[[The Racing Post]]'' said that "the jockey merely pushed his mount out hands and heels to win by ten lengths &ndash; it could've easily been more".<ref name="Fantastic Frankel slashed for Guineas and Derby">{{cite news
| title = Fantastic Frankel slashed for Guineas and Derby
| url = http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/ascot-frankel-wows-with-royal-lodge-romp/771594/
| publisher = Racing Post
| date = 2010-09-25
| accessdate = 2010-10-16}}</ref> Trainer Henry Cecil said: "He was very impressive. He has been ticking all the right boxes. In the last two months he has started to really improve, improve and improve".<ref name="Fantastic Frankel slashed for Guineas and Derby"/>

====Dewhurst Stakes====
Frankel's final start of the year was the [[Dewhurst Stakes]] at Newmarket on 16 October, his first race at Group 1 level. The race – billed as the two-year-old race of the century<ref>[http://www.setanta.com/ien/Articles/2010/10/16/Dubai-Dewhurst-Stakes-report-/gnid-79130/ Dewhurst delight for fantastic Frankel] Retrieved 17 October 2011</ref> – also featured two other unbeaten colts; [[Dream Ahead]], 10-length winner of the Group 1 [[Middle Park Stakes]] a fortnight earlier and Saamidd, winner of Doncaster's [[Champagne Stakes (Great Britain)|Champagne Stakes]] and labelled "Pegasus" by his Godolphin stable. Frankel was restrained by Queally before moving up to take the lead a furlong from the finish. He won the race "comfortably" by two and a quarter lengths, despite hanging to the right in the closing stages.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racingpost.com/horses/result_home.sd?race_id=511544&r_date=2010-10-16&popup=yes#results_top_tabs=re_&results_bottom_tabs=ANALYSIS |title=Results from the 2.25 race at NEWMARKET - 16 October 2010 |publisher=Racing Post |date= |accessdate=2012-06-26}}</ref> The runner-up, [[Roderic O'Connor (horse)|Roderic O'Connor]], subsequently won the Group 1 [[Critérium International]] at [[Saint-Cloud]] and then the [[Irish 2000 Guineas]] as a three year-old.

===2011: Three-Year-Old Season===

====Greenham Stakes====
Frankel's prep-race for the 2000 Guineas and the first start of his three-year-old career was the [[Greenham Stakes]] at [[Newbury Racecourse|Newbury]] on 16 April over seven furlongs. He defeated [[Excelebration]] – who went on to win the [[Mehl-Mülhens-Rennen]] (German 2000 Guineas) and the Group 1 [[Prix du Moulin de Longchamp]] that season – by four lengths, showing his customary turn of foot around a furlong from home. Following the race, trainer Henry Cecil insisted that the colt would improve dramatically for the outing before the Newmarket Classic.

====2,000 Guineas Stakes====
[[Image:Racing silks of Khalid Abdullah.svg|thumb|200px|Frankel's racing colours, those of [[Prince Khalid Abdulla]]]]
On 30 April, Frankel was the shortest-priced favourite in the race since 1974 at odds of 1/2.<ref name="guardian2000"/> He jumped straight to the lead, surprising many of the jockeys in the race, and had the horse in second place, the [[Frankie Dettori]]-ridden Casamento, off the bridle after only three furlongs. Frankel had a lead of around 15 lengths by half way and won by six lengths.

The performance was described as "barely believable",<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2011/apr/30/talking-horses Talking Horses] Retrieved 17 October 2011</ref> while Paul Curtis of the Racing Post said afterwards that "Frankel's astonishing performance puts him firmly in the superstar status".<ref>{{cite web|author=5:35PM 30 APR 2011 |url=http://guineas.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/newmarket-guineas-frankel-rated-best-guineas-winner-in-rpr-history/850851/ |title=Frankel rated best Guineas winner in RPR history |publisher=Guineas.racingpost.com |date=2011-04-30 |accessdate=2012-06-21}}</ref>

====St James's Palace Stakes====
Although he was the long-time favourite for the Epsom Derby, stamina doubts meant that Frankel did not tackle racing's Blue Riband.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/horse_racing/13265372.stm Frankel likely to bypass Epsom Derby for Royal Ascot] Retrieved 17 October 2011</ref> Instead, his next start was in the [[St. James's Palace Stakes]] at [[Royal Ascot]] on 14 June. In the race itself, the pacemaker, Rerouted, set a break-neck pace and opened up a sizeable lead by half-way. Frankel was then asked by jockey Tom Queally to go after the leader and passed Rerouted to open up a lead of six lengths on the rest of the field with two furlongs to go. However, in the final furlongs the 20-1 shot Zoffany began to gain ground, and Frankel just held on by 3/4 of a length to win.

Following the race, Queally received criticism from many quarters for what some saw as an ill-judged ride, since the mid-race move looked to have taken too much of a toll on the horse. Despite claims from Cecil and Queally that Frankel was merely idling in front, many observers saw the race as the first time that the colt looked vulnerable.

====Sussex Stakes====

The Sussex Stakes was billed as "The Duel on the Downs"<ref>{{cite news|author=Chris McGrath |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/duel-on-the-downs-will-prove-the-worth-of-cecils-jewel-frankel-2326361.html |title='Duel on the Downs' will prove the worth of Cecil's jewel Frankel - Racing - Sport |publisher=The Independent |date=2011-07-27 |accessdate=2012-06-21}}</ref> and was viewed by many as the most eagerly awaited confrontation in years. Frankel scored a five-length victory over the world's top-rated older miler and five-time consecutive Group 1 winner [[Canford Cliffs (horse)|Canford Cliffs]] on 27 July at Goodwood. In a moderately run and tactical affair, Frankel made all the running to beat the horse who had accounted for three-time [[Breeders' Cup Mile]] winner [[Goldikova]] in his previous race.

Frankel received many accolades following his victory. His trainer [[Henry Cecil|Sir Henry Cecil]] said: "I think it's a facetious thing to say, but he's the best I've ever seen. I suppose the only ones I could compare would be [[Shergar]] and [[Blushing Groom]] at his best. I can't go back to the days of [[Tudor Minstrel]] and match races, but he's the best in my lifetime."<ref>[http://www.britishhorseracing.com/goracing/racing/newsweather/newsItem.asp?i=N0038191311776197666A&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BritishHorseracingAuthorityNewsHeadlines+%28British+Horseracing+Authority+News+Headlines%29 Mighty Frankel best ever - Cecil] Retrieved 27 July 2011</ref> During the interview Cecil also said that he had expected the colt to win easily, despite having ample respect for his horse's rival Canford Cliffs.

After the victory, the [[British Horseracing Authority]] raised Frankel's official rating from 130 (tied with Australian horse [[Black Caviar (horse)|Black Caviar]]) to 135, making him officially the best racehorse in the world.

Following Frankel's win, rumours abounded that Cecil would aim him at the Juddmonte International Stakes at York in mid-August. The race, over a mile and a quarter, would be the first time Frankel would contest a race over that distance. However, after consideration with owner Prince Khalid Abdulla, Cecil announced the following day that the colt would have only one more race in 2011, in the [[Queen Elizabeth II Stakes]] at Ascot's inaugural QIPCO British Champions Day on October 15.

====Queen Elizabeth II Stakes====

Despite his reputation, Frankel did not scare off the opposition on October 15 as a strong eight-horse field was declared for Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. The runners included [[Excelebration]], the [[Prix du Moulin de Longchamp]] winner, the [[Coronation Stakes]] and [[Prix Jacques Le Marois]] winner Immortal Verse and Dick Turpin, who won the [[Premio Vittorio di Capua]] earlier in the year. The previous year's winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, the Godolphin-trained Poet's Voice, also featured.

Frankel won by 4 lengths with Group 1 winners Excelebration and Immortal Verse filling the minor placings. It was the third time that Excelebration had succumbed to the Cecil-trained star.

He was given a Timeform rating of 143 in this race, moving into sole third in the Timeform all-time flat rating list.<ref>[http://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/events/champions-day/handicappers-corners-frankel-closing-in-on-all-time-gre-171011.html] Retrieved 16 Nov, 2011</ref>

===2012: Four-Year-Old Season===

While Frankel had contested races no further than a mile (eight furlongs) as a two and three-year-old, his four-year-old campaign was expected to comprise some of the premier ten-furlong middle distance races in the calendar. In October 2011 Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to Prince Khalid Abdulla, mentioned "the [[Eclipse Stakes|Eclipse]] and the [[International Stakes|Juddmonte]]"<ref name="guardian.co.uk">[http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/oct/15/frankel-ascot-champions-day Wonderhorse Frankel powers clear to dazzle Ascot on Champions Day] Retrieved 17 October 2011</ref> as potential targets later in the 2012 season, while it was possible that the horse might contest the [[Breeders' Cup]] [[Breeders' Cup Mile|Mile]] or [[Breeders' Cup Classic|Classic]] at [[Santa Anita Park|Santa Anita]] as a final career start.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ntra.com/content/display/news/NDg4OTk= |title=Cecil eyes 2012 Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita for Frankel |author=''Thoroughbred Times'' |publisher=[[National Thoroughbred Racing Association]] |date=24 September 2011| accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref>

Trainer Sir Henry Cecil said in October 2011 that he believed his charge would improve for another winter and that the horse "will get a mile and a quarter very easily". The Newmarket trainer added: "He's really beginning to grow up. You're going to see a better horse next year and he's pretty good as he is."<ref name="guardian.co.uk"/>

====Injury Scare====

Reports surfaced that Frankel had suffered an injury to his off-fore on Wednesday 11 April while working on Racecourse Side in Newmarket.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/apr/13/frankel-second-scan-on-injury Frankel set to miss Lockinge Stakes comeback at Newbury after injury] Retrieved 20 May 2012</ref> A statement from Juddmonte, the operation of Frankel's owner Khalid Abdulla, read: "He is such an extravagant mover that he hit himself. At this stage the injury looks superficial but he will be kept monitored over the next few days."<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/apr/12/frankel-injury-sir-henry-cecil Frankel injury may disrupt plans for colt's start to new flat season] Retrieved 20 May 2012</ref>

Frankel had a scan which came up clear but, due to filling in the injury, a scan for the following week was arranged to arrive at a more definitive diagnosis once that filling had dissipated.<ref>[http://www.racingpost.com/media/audio_popup.sd?media_id=33269 Grimthorpe on Frankel - Racing Post audio interview] Retrieved 20 May 2012</ref>

Before this second scan, rumours sparked by TV reports during coverage of the Grand National at Aintree spread that Frankel had been retired. This claim was rejected by Grimthorpe<ref>[http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=racing/12/04/14/manual_173245.html Frankel Retirement Rumours Quashed] Retrieved 20 May 2012</ref> and, later, the second scan showed no damage.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/17763103 2011 Horse Of The Year Frankel is given all-clear to return to training] Retrieved 20 May 2012</ref>

On 25 April, Frankel worked for the first time after incurring his injury<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/17837647 Frankel on course for Newbury after Newmarket gallop] Retrieved 20 May 2012</ref> and, on 5 May, Frankel took part in a public exercise gallop at Newmarket. He pulled clear of his work companions Bullet Train and Jet Away in the closing stages of the workout<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-iy10awBDc Youtube: Frankel Racecourse Gallop] Retrieved 20 May 2012</ref> in a style which pleased Cecil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racingpost.com/horses/horse_home.sd?horse_id=763453#topHorseTabs=horse_stories&bottomHorseTabs=horse_form |title=Frankel |publisher=Racing Post |date=2011-06-02 |accessdate=2012-06-21}}</ref>

====Lockinge Stakes====

On 19 May, Frankel made his first appearance of the year in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. Amongst his five rivals was old rival [[Excelebration]], who had since moved to the [[Ballydoyle]] stable of [[Aidan O'Brien]] from Marco Botti's yard in Newmarket and, as an easy winner of the [[Gladness Stakes]] the previous month, had the advantage of race fitness. However, Frankel – always ahead of Excelebration in the race – tracked his pacemaker Bullet Train before moving into the lead two furlongs from the finish, pulling clear to win by five lengths.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racingpost.com/horses/result_home.sd?race_id=550528&r_date=2012-05-19&popup=yes#results_top_tabs=re_&results_bottom_tabs=ANALYSIS |title=Lockinge Stakes |publisher=Racing Post |date= |accessdate=2012-06-23}}</ref> [[The Guardian]]'s correspondent described the "aura" surrounding Frankel as "surreal". Henry Cecil was measured in his praise, pointing out that the horse was not at his best and would probably improve as the season progressed.<ref>{{cite news|author=Greg Wood at Newbury |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/may/19/wonder-horse-frankel-lockinge-stakes |title=Wonder horse Frankel makes it a perfect 10 with Lockinge Stakes win |publisher=Guardian |date= |accessdate=2012-06-23}}</ref>

Cecil subsequently said: "Over the last two seasons Frankel has come on a good deal from his first race and hopefully he will do the same this season. He has strengthened and grown up a great deal mentally. All being well his next start will be at Ascot in either the Queen Anne or the [[Prince of Wales's Stakes|Prince of Wales]], the former being my first preference at the moment, but we will see."<ref>[http://www.sirhenrycecil.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77:cecil-flags-up-ascot-options&catid=1:current-news&Itemid=2 Cecil flags up Frankel's Ascot options] Retrieved 21 May 2012</ref>

====Queen Anne Stakes====
On 19 June Frankel started at odds of 1/10 for the [[Queen Anne Stakes]] at Royal Ascot against a field which included [[Excelebration]] and Strong Suit, respectively ranked the equal second and the equal fifth best three-year-old colts in the world by the IFHA in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.horseracingintfed.com/resources/2011Rankings/2011_WorldRankings.asp |title=The 2011 World Thoroughbred Rankings |publisher=Horseracingintfed.com |date= |accessdate=2012-06-21}}</ref> Frankel took the lead three furlongs from the finish and drew steadily clear to win by eleven lengths from Excelebration.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/royal-ascot/9341814/Royal-Ascot-2012-Frankel-destroys-rivals-to-win-Queen-Anne-Stakes-by-11-lengths.html|title=Frankel|accessdate=2012-06-19}}</ref> Frankel ran the penultimate furlong in a time of 10.58 seconds,<ref name="racingpost1">{{cite web|author=&nbsp;By&nbsp;Sam Walker 10:35AM 25 JUN 2012&nbsp; |url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/black-caviar-world-class-awesome-frankel-the-wonder-of-brilliant-ascot/1060423/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews |title=WORLD CLASS Awesome Frankel the wonder of brilliant Ascot - Horse Racing News |publisher=Racing Post |date= |accessdate=2012-06-26}}</ref> which equates to a top speed of over 42&nbsp;mph. The Guardian's correspondent described the performance as possibly the greatest in the history of Thoroughbred racing. Timeform responded to the win by raising Frankel's provisional rating to 147, the highest in the organisation's history, two pounds in advance of the 145 recorded in 1965 by [[Sea-Bird]].<ref name="guardian1"/> However the [[British Horseracing Authority]]'s [[handicap race|handicapper]], Dominic Gardiner-Hill, was more cautious. He rated the horse at 140, which was still just behind [[Dancing Brave]]'s all-time record mark of 141.<ref>[http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/47903363/ns/sports-horse_racing/ Associated Press Sports: Frankel rated by BHA as 2nd-best horse in history] Retrieved 23 June 2012</ref> The Racing Post gave the performance a rating of 142, the highest in the publication's history, three pounds ahead of [[Dubai Millennium]].<ref name="racingpost1"/>

The day after the race, Cecil said that Frankel had lost a shoe towards the end of the contest. "His foot is in a poultice as a precaution but there’s no problem and he was out having a pick of grass this morning," he said. Cecil seemed to indicate that the [[Sussex Stakes]] at Goodwood followed by the [[International Stakes|Juddmonte Stakes]] at York would be Frankel's next two races.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/royal-ascot/9345376/Royal-Ascot-2012-So-You-Think-its-all-over-it-is-now-after-another-sublime-display-from-Joseph-OBrien.html Royal Ascot 2012: So You Think it's all over - it is now after another sublime display from Joseph O'Brien] Retrieved 23 June 2012</ref>

====Sussex Stakes====
On 1 August Frankel repeated his previous year's victory in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. Starting at odds of 1/20 against only three rivals, he won by six lengths from Farhh. With this victory, Frankel equalled the record for consecutive European Group 1 victories (seven in a row) set by [[Rock of Gibraltar (horse)|Rock of Gibraltar]], and also became the first horse to win the Sussex Stakes twice.

After the race, his Jockey Tom Queally said: "Every moment spent on Frankel’s back is a special moment. He is amazing and had all the others cooked at halfway. It was a nice prep for his next race. He is a class apart from any other horse around and does it all very easily... Turning into the straight, I slipped him an inch of rein. You don’t have to do much on him. He’s so competitive and he has a will to win like no other horse I’ve ridden."

Lord Grimthorpe, the racing manager to the horse's owner, Khalid Abdulla, said: "There are two obvious races for him, the Juddmonte and the [[Champion Stakes]] <nowiki>[Ascot, Oct 20],</nowiki> but there is a gap of nearly two months between them, and Henry may decide to give him a race in between, possibly something like the [[Prix du Moulin de Longchamp|Prix du Moulin]] <nowiki>[Longchamp, Sept 16]</nowiki>."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/9444470/Frankel-extends-unbeaten-record-to-12-with-Sussex-Stakes-stroll-at-Glorious-Goodwood.html|title=Frankel extends unbeaten record to 12 with Sussex Stakes stroll at Glorious Goodwood|accessdate=2012-08-02}}</ref>

====International Stakes====

On 22 August, Frankel won the Juddmonte International Stakes at York. This race was over 10 furlongs and was the first time that he raced over more than a mile. Consequently there was much anticipation as to whether he would stay the extra distance.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/19313162 |title=Frankel: Juddmonte International Stakes is toughest test |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2012-08-19 |accessdate=2012-08-22}}</ref> Starting at odds of 1/10 against eight rivals, he easily won by seven lengths from Farhh who was a nose ahead of [[St Nicholas Abbey (horse)|St Nicholas Abbey]] in third. This was his eighth consecutive European Group 1 victory, breaking the previous record of seven in a row set by [[Rock of Gibraltar (horse)|Rock of Gibraltar]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/19329899 |title=Frankel wins York's Juddmonte International to remain unbeaten. |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2012-08-22 |accessdate=2012-08-22}}</ref> After the race trainer Sir Henry Cecil said “It’s fantastic. It’s great for Yorkshire and they deserved to see him.” He was attending the racecourse after missing Frankel's previous win due to ill health and said the win made him feel “twenty years better.”.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/9492952/Frankels-victory-at-York-made-me-feel-twenty-years-better-says-trainer-Sir-Henry-Cecil-as-he-battles-cancer.html |title=Frankel's victory at York made me feel 'twenty years better', says trainer Sir Henry Cecil, as he battles cancer |publisher=Daily Telegraph |date=2012-08-23 |accessdate=2012-08-27}}</ref>

Writing a few days after the race, [[Marcus Armytage]] said: "Forget ratings, handicappers’ assessments or any other method by which you measure one racehorse against another, it is unlikely that the world in either this or any previous generation has ever seen a better racehorse than Frankel... What makes him unique is his ability to go a top class sprinter’s pace over distance... he is a lightning strike of genetics which may not be repeated for 100 years.".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/9499560/Frankel-is-the-result-of-a-lightning-strike-of-genetics-that-may-not-be-repeated-for-100-years.html#disqus_thread |title=Frankel is the result of a lightning strike of genetics that may not be repeated for 100 years |publisher=Sunday Telegraph |date=2012-08-26 |accessdate=2012-08-27}}</ref>

Frankel was expected to have only one more race in his career, and to stand as a stallion from 2013. Having demonstrated at York his ability comfortably to stay ten furlongs, there was speculation that that there might be a change to his programme, with his final race being the twelve furlong (mile and a half) [[Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe]] at Longchamp in October.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/9495314/Frankel-team-give-serious-thought-to-Prix-de-lArc-de-Triomphe-but-Ascots-Champion-Stakes-is-likely-exit-line.html |title=Frankel team give 'serious' thought to Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but Ascot's Champion Stakes is likely exit line |publisher=Daily Telegraph |date=2012-08-23 |accessdate=2012-08-27}}</ref> However on 31st August Lord Grimthorpe said that Frankel's next race would be the Champion Stakes.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/9512735/Frankel-Arc-challenge-is-a-non-runner.html |title=Frankel Arc challenge is a non-runner |publisher=Daily Telegraph |date=2012-08-31 |accessdate=2012-09-01}}</ref>

==Race record==
{| class = "wikitable sortable" | border="1" cellpadding="1" style=" text-align:centre; margin-left:1em; float:centre ;border-collapse: collapse; font-size:80%"
|- style="background:#dacaa4; text-align:center;"
! style="background:#dacaa4;"| Date
! style="background:#dacaa4;"| Race name
! style="background:#dacaa4;"| D(f)
! style="background:#dacaa4;"| Course
! style="background:#dacaa4;"| Class
! style="background:#dacaa4;"| Prize (£K)
! style="background:#dacaa4;"| Odds
! style="background:#dacaa4;"| Runners
! style="background:#dacaa4;"| Place
! style="background:#dacaa4;"| Margin
! style="background:#dacaa4;"| Runner-up
! style="background:#dacaa4;"| Time
! style="background:#dacaa4;"| Jockey
! style="background:#dacaa4;"| Trainer
|-
| {{dts|format=dmy|2010|August|13}}
|EBF Maiden Stakes
|8
|[[Newmarket Racecourse|Newmarket]]
|4
|4
|<span style="display:none">1.75</span> 7/4
|12
|1
|0.5
|[[Nathaniel (horse)|Nathaniel]]
|1:43.69
|[[Tom Queally]]
|[[Henry Cecil]]
|-
| {{dts|format=dmy|2010|September|10}}
|Frank Whittle Stakes
|7
|[[Doncaster Racecourse|Doncaster]]
|2
|10
|<span style="display:none">0.5</span>1/2
|3
|1
|13
|Rainbow Springs
|1:24.83
|Tom Queally
|Henry Cecil
|-
| {{dts|format=dmy|2010|September|25}}
|[[Royal Lodge Stakes]]
|8
|[[Ascot Racecourse|Ascot]]
|1 (G2)
|70
|<span style="display:none">0.3</span>3/10
|5
|1
|10
|Klammer
|1:41.73
|Tom Queally
|Henry Cecil
|-
| {{dts|format=dmy|2010|October|16}}
|[[Dewhurst Stakes]]
|7
|Newmarket
|1 (G1)
|180
|<span style="display:none">0.67</span>4/6
|6
|1
|2.25
|[[Roderic O'Connor (horse)|Roderic O'Connor]]
|1:25.73
|Tom Queally
|Henry Cecil
|-
| {{dts|format=dmy|2011|April|16}}
|[[Greenham Stakes]]
|7
|[[Newbury Racecourse|Newbury]]
|1 (G3)
|28
|<span style="display:none">0.25</span>1/4
|6
|1
|4
|[[Excelebration]]
|1:24.60
|Tom Queally
|Henry Cecil
|-
| {{dts|format=dmy|2011|April|30}}
|[[2000 Guineas]]
|8
|Newmarket
|1 (G1)
|198
|<span style="display:none">0.5</span>1/2
|13
|1
|6
|Dubawi Gold
|1:37.30
|Tom Queally
|Henry Cecil
|-
| {{dts|format=dmy|2011|June|14}}
|[[St. James's Palace Stakes|St. James's Palace]]
|8
|Ascot
|1 (G1)
|141
|<span style="display:none">0.3</span>3/10
|9
|1
|0.75
|Zoffany
|1:39.24
|Tom Queally
|Henry Cecil
|-
| {{dts|format=dmy|2011|July|27}}
|[[Sussex Stakes]]
|8
|[[Goodwood Racecourse|Goodwood]]
|1 (G1)
|170
|<span style="display:none">0.62</span>8/13
|4
|1
|5
|[[Canford Cliffs (horse)|Canford Cliffs]]
|1:37.47
|Tom Queally
|Henry Cecil
|-
| {{dts|format=dmy|2011|October|15}}
|[[Queen Elizabeth II Stakes]]
|8
|Ascot
|1 (G1)
|567
|<span style="display:none">0.36</span>4/11
|8
|1
|4
|[[Excelebration]]
|1:39.45
|Tom Queally
|Henry Cecil
|-
| {{dts|format=dmy|2012|May|19}}
|[[Lockinge Stakes]]
|8
|Newbury
|1 (G1)
|99
|<span style="display:none">0.29</span>2/7
|6
|1
|5
|[[Excelebration]]
|1:38.14
|Tom Queally
|Henry Cecil
|-
| {{dts|format=dmy|2012|June|19}}
|[[Queen Anne Stakes]]
|8
|Ascot
|1 (G1)
|198
|<span style="display:none">0.1</span>1/10
|11
|1
|11
|[[Excelebration]]
|1:37.85
|Tom Queally
|Henry Cecil
|-
| {{dts|format=dmy|2012|August|1}}
|[[Sussex Stakes]]
|8
|Goodwood
|1 (G1)
|179
|<span style="display:none">0.05</span>1/20
|4
|1
|6
|Farhh
|1:37.56
|Tom Queally
|Henry Cecil
|-
| {{dts|format=dmy|2012|August|22}}
|[[International Stakes]]
|10.5
|[[York Racecourse|York]]
|1 (G1)
|411
|<span style="display:none">0.1</span>1/10
|9
|1
|7
|Farhh
|2:06.59
|Tom Queally
|Henry Cecil
|}

==Pedigree==

{{Pedigree|
name = Frankel, bay colt, 2008|
f = [[Galileo (horse)|Galileo]] (IRE)<br />b. 1998|
m = [[Kind (horse)|Kind]] (IRE)<br />b. 2001|
ff = [[Sadler's Wells (horse)|Sadler's Wells]] (USA)<br />b. 1981|
fm = [[Urban Sea]] (USA)<br />ch. 1989|
mf = [[Danehill (horse)|Danehill]] (USA)<br />b. 1986|
mm = [[Rainbow Lake (horse)|Rainbow Lake]] (GB)<br />b. 1990|
fff = '''[[Northern Dancer]]''' (CAN)<br />b. 1961|
ffm = [[Fairy Bridge (horse)|Fairy Bridge]] (USA)<br />b. 1975|
fmf = [[Miswaki]] (USA)<br />ch. 1978|
fmm = Allegretta (GB)<br />ch. 1978|
mff = [[Danzig (horse)|Danzig]] (USA)<br />b./br. 1977|
mfm = Razyana (USA)<br />b. 1981|
mmf = [[Rainbow Quest (horse)|Rainbow Quest]] (USA)<br />b. 1981|
mmm = Rockfest (USA)<br />ch. 1979|
ffff = [[Nearctic (horse)|Nearctic]] (CAN)|
fffm = [[Natalma]] (USA)|
ffmf = [[Bold Reason]] (USA)|
ffmm = Special (USA)|
fmff = [[Mr. Prospector]] (USA)|
fmfm = Hopespringseternal (USA)|
fmmf = Lombard (GER)|
fmmm = Anatevka (GER)|
mfff = '''[[Northern Dancer]]''' (CAN)|
mffm = Pas De Nom (USA)|
mfmf = [[His Majesty (horse)|His Majesty]] (USA)|
mfmm = Spring Adieu (CAN)|
mmff = [[Blushing Groom]] (FR)|
mmfm = I Will Follow (USA)|
mmmf = [[Stage Door Johnny]] (USA)|
mmmm = Rock Garden (GB) (Family 1-k)<ref name="bloodlines1"/>|
}}
<span style="font-size:85%">''Note: b. = [[Bay (horse)|Bay]], br. = [[Equine coat color#Basic coat|Brown]]'', ch. = [[Chestnut (coat)|Chestnut]]</span>

* Frankel is [[inbreeding|inbred]] 3 x 4 to the stallion Northern Dancer, meaning that Northern Dancer appears once in the third generation and once in the fourth generation of his pedigree.

==See also==
*[[List of leading Thoroughbred racehorses]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{2000 Guineas Winners}}

==External links==
*[http://frankel.juddmonte.com/ Official Frankel website, by Juddmonte Farms]

[[Category:2008 racehorse births]]
[[Category:Racehorses trained in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Northern Dancer bloodline]]
[[Category:Thoroughbred racehorses]]
[[Category:Racehorses bred in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:British Classic Race winners]]

[[fr:Frankel]]
[[ja:フランケル (競走馬)]]
[[zh:范高爾 (馬)]]

Revision as of 13:56, 18 September 2012

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Frankel_(horse)&oldid=513373684"