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Frankel is the best miler I have ever seen and that’s since 1960, I now feel there is no doubt about that.
I don’t have him down as the best 10 furlong horse though, not on this one race, he’s up there but I think his form is devalued somewhat over that trip on this evidence.
Some 8-10f specialists can win over 12f in the right race. I would put forward 2 such races this season that I think Frankel could have won had he been trained for them.
The Grosser Preis Von Berlin a month ago, I think would have been a walk in the park.
The Grand Prix de Saint Cloud – modestly run, muddling and a sprint finish, I think he would have won that by a length or two but it would not have been the Frankel we are used to seeing. His form would have come down a little more.The King George and he would have been found wanting I’m sure of that. Mostly in a heap I think he would have finished nearer last than first and it would have been so embarrassing for everyone. Same with the Arc, I couldn’t see him winning it – any year.
Some great milers with the class to see it through, can win over 12f without really staying the trip. This is how I see him in a carefully chosen race at that distance.I see nothing there to be chastised over, I think those are fairly realistic assertions, but admit he doesn’t do it for me emotionally. There are others I will always prefer but they would never have been able to match him over a mile.
As I tend to get quoted rather a lot on this issue, I hope that satisfies some of my doubters.
Thanks for that UM. You always say what you feel and I respect you greatly for that. If he doesn’t do it for you then so be it.
For me he gets me all a quiver. There is a great article in the RP today by Steve Dennis saying he might just be "a little bit in love with Frankel". It won’t surprise you to hear I am a BIG bit in love with him! In fact I have no idea what I am going to do with myself after he retires! There will be such a hole to fill. Great memories though that will stay with me forever.
Have you ever been to the races to see him? If you haven’t and you can possibly make it to Ascot I would urge you to do so. The atmosphere this horse generates is like nothing I have experienced at the races in over 35 years of going. York topped everything that had gone before and that is saying something as I am an emotional wreck every time he runs as Ginge and TAPK will attest to having met me at Newbury!
Perhaps it doesn’t come across quite so well on the TV but in the flesh this horse is a sight to behold believe me!
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
In the course of his 13 races to date, Frankel has beaten. among others, the following horses:
Horse Best race(s) won
Canford Cliffs Irish 2000 Guineas Gr.1
St James’s Palace Stakes Gr.1
Sussex Stakes Gr.1
Lockinge Stakes Gr.1
Queen Anne Stakes Gr.1
Casamento Racing Post Trophy Gr.1
Colour Vision Ascot Gold Cup Gr.1
Dick Turpin Prix Jean Prat Gr.1
Premio Vittorio di Capua Gr.1
Dream Ahead Prix Morny Gr.1
Middle Park Stakes Gr.1
July Cup Gr.1
Sprint Cup Gr.1
Prix de la Foret Gr.1
Excelebration Prix du Moulin de Longchamp Gr.1
Prix Jacques le Marois Gr.1
Grand Prix Boss Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes Gr.1
NHK Mile Cup Gr.1
Helmet Sires Produce Stakes Gr.1
Champagne Stakes Gr.1
Caulfield Guineas Gr.1
Immortal Verse Coronation Stakes Gr.1
Prix Jacques le Marois Gr.1
Nathaniel King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Gr.1
Eclipse Stakes Gr.1
Pathfork National Stakes Gr.1
Planteur Prix Ganay Gr.1
Poet’s Voice Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Gr.1
Rio De La Plata Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere Gr.1
Premio Vittorio di Capua Gr.1
Premio Roma GBI Racing Gr.1
Roderic O’Connor Criterium International Gr.1
Irish 2000 Guineas Gr.1
St Nicholas Abbey Breeders’ Cup Turf Gr.1
Coronation Cup Gr.1 (twice)
Racing Post Trophy Gr.1
Treasure Beach Irish Derby Gr.1
Secretariat Stakes Gr.1
Twice Over Juddmonte International Gr.1
Eclipse Stakes Gr.1
Champion Stakes Gr.1 (twice)
Wootton Bassett Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere Gr.1
Zoffany Phoenix Stakes Gr.1
Dubawi Gold Celebration Mile Gr.2
Premio Loco Ottingen-Rennen Gr.2
Grosse Europa Meile Gr.2
Summer Mile Stakes Gr.2
Park Stakes Gr.2
Rajsaman Prix du Muguet Gr.2
Prix Daniel Wildenstein Gr.2
Ransom Note Joel Stakes Gr.2
Red Jazz Challenge Stakes Gr.2
Saamidd Champagne Stakes Gr.2
Slim Shadey San Marcos Stakes Gr.2
Sri Putra York Stakes Gr.2
Prix Guillaume d’Ornano Gr.2
Strong Suit Coventry Stakes Gr.2
Lennox Stakes Gr.2
Challenge Stakes Gr.2
Worthadd Derby Italiano Gr.2
Premio Ribot Gr.2
Premio Carlo Vittadini Gr.2
Broox Prix Arenberg Gr.3
Bullet Train Derby Trial Stakes Gr.3
Genius Beast Classic Trial Gr.3
Klammer Horris Hill Stakes Gr.3
Native Khan Solario Stakes Gr.3
Craven Stakes Gr.3
New Greenfield Acomb Stakes Gr.3
Rerouted Somerville Tattersall Stakes Gr.3
Side Glance Sovereign Stakes Gr.3
Diomed Stakes Gr.3
Windsor Palace Mooresbridge Stakes Gr.3That’s a total of 75 Group races between them: 45 Group 1’s-19 Group 2’s and 11 Group 3’s
Sort of explains why he’s regarded so highly and he’s not finished yet.
You can now add Premio Loco winning today’s Group 2 Celebration Mile.
Was the Winter Derby a Group 3? Premio Loco won that aswell.
Blackbeard to conquer the World
Here is my list Nath – 114 Group wins in all.
EBF Maiden Stakes- Newmarket – 13th August 2010
Colour Vision – 11th – subsequent winner of Sagaro Stakes (Group 3), The Gold Cup (Group 1) now rated 122
Genius Beast – 3rd – subsequent winner of Bet 365 Classic Trial (Group 3) – RPR 111
Nathaniel – 2nd – subsequent winner King Edward VII (Group 2), King George (Group 1) and Eclipse (Group 1) – RPR 128
Frank Whittle Conditions Stakes – Doncaster – 10th September 2010
Diamond Geezah – 3rd (beaten 17 lengths) – rated 90
Rainbow Springs – 2nd (beaten 13 lengths) – subsequent 3rd in Prix Marcel Boussac (Group 1) beaten 4 lengths by eventual Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Misty For Me.
Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes – Ascot – 25th September 2010
Slim Shadey – 5th (beaten 15 lengths) – subsequent 4th in 2,000 Guineas, winner of San Marcos Stakes (Grade 2) and rated 101
Treasure Beach – 3rd (beaten 11 lengths) – subsequent winner of Chester Vase (Group 3), runner up in Derby, winner Irish Derby (Group 1), winner Arlington Million (Grade 1) – RPR 122
Klammer – 2nd (beaten 10 lengths) – subsequent winner of Horris Hill (Group 3) rated 107
Dubai Dewhurst Stakes – Newmarket – 16th October 2010
Saamid – 6th (beaten 17 lengths) – previous unbeaten winner of Champagne Stakes (Group 2) – rated 115
Dream Ahead – 5th (beaten 7 lengths) – previous unbeaten winner of Prix Morny (Group 1) and Middle Park (Group 1), subsequent winner of July Cup (Group 1), Betfred Sprint Cup (Group 1), Prix de la Foret (Group 1) rated 126
Waiters Dream – 4th (beaten 5 lengths) – previous winner of Acomb Stakes (Group 3) rated 109
Glor Na Mara – 3rd (beaten 5 lengths) – previous 2nd in Phoenix Stakes – rated 113
Roderic O’ Connor – 2nd (beaten 2 lengths) – subsequent winner of Criterium (Group 1) and Irish 2,000 Guineas (Group 1 – Classic)
Totesport Greenham Stakes – Newbury – 16th April 2011
Strong Suit – 6th (beaten 13 lengths) – previous winner of Coventry (Group 2,)subsequent winner of Jersey Stakes (Group 3), Lennox Stakes (Group 2) and Challenge Stakes (Group 2) rated 119
Excelebration – 2nd (beaten 4 lengths) – subsequent winner of German 2,000 Guineas (Group 2/Classic), Hungerford Stakes (Group 2), Prix Du Moulin (Group 1), Gladness Stakes (Group 3) Prix Jaques Le Marois (Group 1)
Quipco 2,000 Guineas – Newmarket – 30th April 2011
Broox – 13th (beaten 63 lengths) – previous winner of Prix D’Arenburg (Group 3) rated 112
Casamento – 10th (beaten 36 lengths) – previous winner of Beresford (Group 2) and Racing Post Trophy (Group 1) subsequent winner Prix Du Prince D’Orange (Group 3) rated 119
Rerouted – 8th (beaten 27 lengths) – previous winner of Tatteralls Stakes (Group 3) rated 110
Pathfork – 7th (beaten 26 lengths) – previous unbeaten winner of Futurity (Group 2) and National Stakes (Group 1) rated 120
Fury – 5th (beaten 18 lengths) – previous winner of Tatteralls Million rated 103
Slim Shadey – (beaten 15 lengths) – subsequent winner of San Marcos Stakes (Grade 2) RPR 115
Native Khan – 3rd (beaten 6 lengths) – previous winner of Solario (Group 3) and Craven Stakes (Group 3) RPR 118
Dubawi Gold – 2nd (beaten 6 lengths) – subsequent 2nd in Irish 2,000 Guineas, winner Celebration Mile (Group 2) – RPR 119
St James Palace Stakes – Royal Ascot – June 14th 2011
Grand Prix Boss (beaten 27 lengths) – previous winner of Keoi Hai Nisi Stakes (Grade 2), Asa Hai Futurity (Grade 1) and NHK Mile Cup (Grade 1) – RPR 119m
Wootton Bassett (beaten 14 lengths) – previous winner of Grand Criterium (Group 1) – RPR 120
Dubawi Gold (beaten 14 lengths), Dream Ahead (beaten 6 lengths) and Excelebration (beaten 2 ¼ lengths ) – see above
Zoffany (beaten ¾ lengths) – previous winner of Tyros Stakes (Group 3) and Phoenix Stakes (Group 1) – RPR 120
Sussex Stakes – Glorious Goodwood – July 27th 2011
Rajsaman (beaten 10 lengths) – previous winner of Prix Fontainebleu (Group 3), Prix Perth (Group 3) and Prix Du Muguet (Group 2) subsequent winner of Prix Daniel Wildenstein (Group 2) – RPR 120
Rio De La Plata (beaten 7 ½ lengths) – previous winner of Vintage Stakes (Group 2), Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Group 1), Strensall Stakes (Group 3), Premio Vettorio (Group 1) and Premio Roma (Group 1) – RPR 119
Canford Cliffs (beaten 5 lengths) – previous winner of Coventry Stakes (Group 2), Irish 2,000 Guineas (Group 1), St James Palace Stakes (Group 1), Sussex Stakes (Group 1), Lockinge (Group 1) and Queen Anne (Group 1) – RPR 130
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – Ascot – October 15th 2011
Bullet Train (beaten 12 lengths) – previous winner of Lingfield Derby Trial (Group 3)
Side Glance (beaten 9 lengths) – previous winner of Sovereign Stakes (Group 3), subsequent winner of Diomed Stakes (Group 3)
Poets Voice (beaten 9 lengths) – previous winner of Champagne Stakes (Group 2), Celebration Mile (Group 2) and Queen Elizabeth II (Group 1)
Dick Turpin (beaten 8 lengths) – previous winner of Richmond Stakes (Group 2), Greenham Stakes (Group 3), Prix Jean Prat (Group 1), Bet 365 Mile (Group 2), Summer Mile (Group 2), Premio Vittorio Di Capua (Group 1)
Immortal Verse (beaten 7 ½ lengths) – previous winner of Prix de Sandringham (Group 2), Coronation Stakes (Group 1), Jaques Le Marois (Group 1)
Also Dubawi Gold and Excelebration (see above)
Lockinge Stakes – Newbury – May 19th 2012
Ransom Note – (beaten 19 lengths) – previous winner of the Joel Stakes (Group 2) and Earl Of Sefton Stakes (Group 3)
Windsor Palace – (beaten 21 lengths) – previous winner of the Moresbridge Stakes (Group 3)
Also Excelebration, Dubawi Gold and Bullet Train (see above)
The Queen Anne – Royal Ascot – June 19th 2012
Helmet (beaten 16 lengths) – previous winner of Inglis Sire Stakes (Grade 1), Champagne Stakes (Grade 1), Caulfield Guineas Prelude (Grade 3), Caulfield Guineas (Grade 1)
Premier Loco (beaten 18 lengths) – previous winner of Darley Oettingen (Group 2), Grosse Europa Meile (Group 2), Criterion Stakes (Group 3), Summer Mile (Group 2), Park Stakes (Group 2), Winter Derby (Group 3), Pramms Memorial (Group 3), Celebration Mile (Group 2)
Red Jazz (beaten 18 lengths) – previous winner of Challenge Stakes (Group 2)
Worthadd (beaten 21 lengths) – previous winner of Premier Parioli (Group 3), Derby Italiano (Group 2), Premio Ribot (Group 2), Premio Carlo Vittadini (Group 2), Badener Meile (Group 3)
Also Excelebration, Bullet Train, Windsor Palace and Strong Suit (see above)
The Sussex Stakes – Goodwood – August 1st 2012
Farhh (beaten 6 lengths) rated 127
The Juddmonte International – York – August 22nd 2012
St Nicholas Abbey (beaten 7 lengths) – previous winner of Beresford Stakes (Group 2), Racing Post Trophy (Group 1), Ormonde Stakes (Group 3), Coronation Stakes (Group 1 x 2), Breeders Cup Turf (Group 1)
Twice Over (beaten 13 lengths) – previous winner of Craven Stakes (Group3), Prix Eugene Adam (Group 2), Champion Stakes (Group 1 x 2), Coral Eclipse (Group 1), Al Maktoum Challenge (Group 2), Sky Bet York Stakes (Group 2), Juddmonte International (Group 1)
Sri Putra (beaten 15 lengths) – previous winner of Solario Stakes (Group 3), Prix Guillame d’Ornano (Group 2), Earl Of Sefton Stakes (Group 3), Sky Bet York Stakes (Group 2)
Planteur (beaten 19 lengths) – previous winner of Prix Noailles (Group 2), Prix D’Harcourt (Group 2), Prix Ganay (Group 1)
Total
Group 3 – 32
Group 2 – 39
Group 1 – 43
Total Group wins – 114Sea The Stars Comparison:
Group 3 – 34
Group 2 – 28
Group 1 – 44
Total Group wins – 106"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
…
For me he gets me all a quiver. There is a great article in the RP today by Steve Dennis saying he might just be "a little bit in love with Frankel". It won’t surprise you to hear I am a BIG bit in love with him! In fact I have no idea what I am going to do with myself after he retires! There will be such a hole to fill. Great memories though that will stay with me forever.
Have you ever been to the races to see him? If you haven’t and you can possibly make it to Ascot I would urge you to do so. The atmosphere this horse generates is like nothing I have experienced at the races in over 35 years of going. York topped everything that had gone before and that is saying something as I am an emotional wreck every time he runs as Ginge and TAPK will attest to having met me at Newbury!
Perhaps it doesn’t come across quite so well on the TV but in the flesh this horse is a sight to behold believe me!
…no, I’ve not been racing to see him – a quiet Friday afternoon at Sandown would be more my cup of tea….
…it’s a strange phenomena, this obsession that so many have currently, as long as it doesn’t exclude the one closest to you, as it can sometimes, I think that’s important…
I sense a mass hysteria in October – withdrawal symptoms in abundance – and fingers crossed for Mr Cecil….
…have fun
…
For me he gets me all a quiver. There is a great article in the RP today by Steve Dennis saying he might just be "a little bit in love with Frankel". It won’t surprise you to hear I am a BIG bit in love with him! In fact I have no idea what I am going to do with myself after he retires! There will be such a hole to fill. Great memories though that will stay with me forever.
Have you ever been to the races to see him? If you haven’t and you can possibly make it to Ascot I would urge you to do so. The atmosphere this horse generates is like nothing I have experienced at the races in over 35 years of going. York topped everything that had gone before and that is saying something as I am an emotional wreck every time he runs as Ginge and TAPK will attest to having met me at Newbury!
Perhaps it doesn’t come across quite so well on the TV but in the flesh this horse is a sight to behold believe me!
…no, I’ve not been racing to see him – a quiet Friday afternoon at Sandown would be more my cup of tea….
…it’s a strange phenomena, this obsession that so many have currently, as long as it doesn’t exclude the one closest to you, as it can sometimes, I think that’s important…
I sense a mass hysteria in October – withdrawal symptoms in abundance – and fingers crossed for Mr Cecil….
…have fun
Strange for a racing fan given the choice of watching moderate racing or arguably the greatest thoroughbred ever and by your own admission the greatest miler you’ve seen, you choose the former. Mmmmm
What’s strange about it UM? I would argue that it is more strange NOT to be taken in by it. How often does a horse win 13 in a row and in the fashion he does? Nothing stange me dear. Just us racing enthusiasts enthusing over something very special.
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
I personally saw Frankel win the Judamonte International-An experience of a lifetime.To me Frankel is the greatest miler of all time who has treated top class opposition over a mile with greater disdain than any great miler.It is a tribute to Frankel that he won with the same authority over 10 furlongs,eclipsing Brigadier Geard who was defeated in the same race 40 years ago.
Probably even Sea Bird did not display as much superiority in the middle distance category as Frankel over a mile and Frankel deserves his top rating.A horse that comes one every hundred years,who in raw ability is probably the best of all.The ultimate decider would have been Frankel been pitted in a mile and a half race like the Arc and wining with as much conviction .In that light Brigadier Gerard was more versatile.Joe Mercer rates Frankel on par and not better than the Brigadier.
* I do sincerely hope Sir Henry’s star continues to burn bright for a few more years. God bless him.
Amen
This lovely article appeared in today’s Sunday Sports section of the New York Times.
<!– m –>http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/sport … ref=sports<!– m –>
<!– s:D –>
<!– s:D –>It may take one of Frankels main victims to make the Americans realise what sort of horse he was. Excelebration runs in the BC mile. If the messenger wins the race they will know what the sender was capable of. I looked at an American racing site and there are doubters a plenty online at least. Not that i care.
This lovely article appeared in today’s Sunday Sports section of the New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/sport … ref=sports
Thanks Miss W – brought a tear to my eye!!!!
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
Super article.
Thats what racing is all about.
Frankel winning brought a tear to my eye and this article did to.It may take one of Frankels main victims to make the Americans realise what sort of horse he was. Excelebration runs in the BC mile. If the messenger wins the race they will know what the sender was capable of. I looked at an American racing site and there are doubters a plenty online at least. Not that i care.
Got to say I am a member of an American forum and there some who are quite vociforous in their anti Frankel rants but, the vast majority of Americans on there are big Frankel fans.
It was a good article, thanks for posting.
From The Sporting Life:
The four-year-old colt made the short journey to his birthplace Banstead Manor Stud where he will take up stallion duties in 2013.
Profiles
Sir H R A Cecil
Frankel"There is no doubt Frankel has been a brilliant racehorse. I am pretty certain that there has never been a better or more talented thoroughbred," said Cecil.
"He had the speed to be a champion sprinter and then, once he grew up and settled, he got a distance with a turn of foot that makes champions.
"Today is a sad day in some ways for us as he has given us so much pleasure over the last three years.
"But I want to thank Frankel for so much – for being such a very special part of my training career.
"Thank you, Frankel."
The son of Galileo left the racing scene with an unbeaten record of 14, his final racecourse appearance coming in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot last month.
The champion thoroughbred received an equally warm welcome at Banstead Manor from the Juddmonte team, including general manager Philip Mitchell, farm manager Simon Mockridge and head stallion man Rob Bowley.
Mitchell said: "In the foaling unit on February 11th 2008 at 11.40pm, little did we realise that we were witnessing the birth of a phenomenal racehorse.
"The rest, as they say, is history and it is now extremely exciting that Frankel will be returning to the Stallion Unit at Banstead, some 500 yards from where he was born."
Frankel will be served by the best mares, with potential partners including the unbeaten Australian mare Black Caviar and Midday,
who spent her racing days at the Cecil stable.<!– s:oops: –>
<!– s:oops: –>"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
But wouldn’t it have been great to see him race at 5 years old? I mean, the effortless way he won the Juddmonte International always leaves me wondering that the horse still had a huge amount of talent to be unlocked. But then, we all have to thank our lucky stars that he ran at 4 years old.
I pray that he’ll produce a son or daughter with that same immense gift.
Happy shagging Frankel!
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