Fantastic Frankel

Any lingering doubts that anyone might have had about Frankel lasting the distance in yesterday’s Juddmonte International (Gr.1) at York, were put to rest when the world’s highest rated racehorse (Timeform 147) blew a top class field away in his usual sublime and emphatic form to make it 13 victories from 13 starts.

Sent out at restrictive odds of 1-10, Frankel appeared to jump late, but settled comfortably towards the back of the field, content to let his half brother Bullet fight it out with Windsor Palace and Robin Hood for the early lead. Right up until the home straight, regular jockey Tom Queally was content to let Frankel amble along, until the home straight when Frankel got a squeeze and quickened up dramatically to take the lead with about 400m to go.

The Godolphin entry, Farrh ridden by champion jockey Frankie Dettori briefly threatened, but in the end it was all too easy for Frankel who won by seven lengths going away from a very game Farrh and St Nicholas Abbey, who just couldn’t match Frankel’s massive stride in the end and had to settle for second and third respectively. Frankel’s amazing victory was just the medicine for trainer Sir Henry Cecil, who is battling cancer, and today, despite doctor’s warnings made the trip to witness his star colt make history yet again.

What is even more scary for his opponents is that Frankel appeared to relish the trip, and it took Queally a good while to pull the colt up after his victory. It was plain to see just how much Frankel relishes his racing, as he trotted along on his victory lap, supremely confident and self assured.

His victory has shown his owner Prince Khalid Abdullah and the other connections that the sky is the limit, and he might get even further, should he be given the chance. Originally it was thought that Champions Day on October at Ascot would be his last appearance before going to stud, but after this victory, a possible trip across the sea to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamps is not out of the question.

After today’s performance, it is quite possible that Frankel would get the trip, and to win the world’s third richest turf race would be a fantastic way to end his racing career.