Super sire Frankel’s stud fee is to rise to £275,000 next season, while Dubawi’s is to rocket to a jaw-dropping £350,000.

The price for Dubawi has increased by £100,000 from his previous fee, which had been unchanged since 2017. Frankel’s has increased £75,000 from 2022, when he covered 188 mares, and £100,000 from the previous four seasons.

Dubawi, now 20, sired seven 2022 Group One winners, having himself won the National Stakes as a two-year-old, and the Irish 2,000 Guineas and Prix Jacques le Marois the following year.

He stands at Dalham Hall Stud, Newmarket, and is described by breeder Darley as “star sire of hot young sires”.

“Dubawi will stand at a fee of £350,000 after a year which even by his stellar standards, has been truly outstanding,” a spokesman for the stud said.

“Three Classic winners head up a personal best tally of 43 black type winners for Dubawi: he has sired seven Grade One winners this year over distances ranging from the six furlongs of the Platinum Jubilee to the 14 and a half of the St Leger.”

Frankel’s owner Juddmonte has announced the 2023 nomination fees for its five European stallions, who stand at Banstead Manor Stud near Newmarket.

“Following on from an exceptional 2021 season, we have seen Frankel further strengthen his reputation as a world-class sire with nine individual Grade One winners to date in 2022, more than any other sire in the world,” a Juddmonte spokesman said.

Frankel, now 14, was unbeaten in his career on the track, trained by Sir Henry Cecil to win 14 races including nine Grade Ones.

In the past two years, the son of Galileo has sired 12 Grade One winners, of which five were Classics, and 29 Group winners in total.

“His progeny have continually broken new boundaries both on the track and in the sales ring including the winners of the Irish Derby, French Oaks, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and Dewhurst Stakes in 2022,” the Juddmonte spokesman said. “He is the sire of the four highest-priced yearlings at Tattersalls Book One headlined by the world’s highest-priced yearling sold in 2022 at 2.8m guineas. His new fee reflects his standing as one of the world’s elite stallions.

You might also be interested in:

£2.94m colt is highest-priced yearling sold in the world this year

Frankel – an incredible tale of an unbeaten horse and his legendary trainer

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A colt by racing superstar and super sire Frankel became the most expensive yearling sold in the world this year when going under the hammer for 2.8 million guineas at Tattersalls in Newmarket on Wednesday (5 October).

The colt (lot 221), bred by the Lloyd Webbers’ Watership Down Stud, was sold to top racing operation Godolphin for £2.94m at the prestigious Book One Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. The unnamed yearling is out of the Group Three Musidora Stakes winning mare So Mi Dar, who was sired by Dubawi.

Watership Down Stud’s owner Madeleine Lloyd Webber said: “It is always a shame to sell the wonderful stock out of the Dar Re Mi family but we just have to. He is a particularly beautiful colt, he looks so like his father Frankel yet he has the Dar Re Me line and the beautiful head. He walked beautifully, I could not really fault him. We obviously loved him, we are delighted that Godolphin bought him and he is going to stay here [in the UK] and be trained brilliantly. We could not have hoped for anything better really.”

“Obviously he’s got a stallion’s pedigree as he’s by Frankel out of a very good Dubawi mare,” said Anthony Stroud after signing for Godolphin’s top purchase. “This is one of Watership Down’s best families so he was the jewel in the crown. He is an outstanding horse and he will be a very valuable horse if he is a good racehorse.”

Simon Marsh, general manager of Watership Down, said: “It is an amazing family, it’s an extraordinary thing when you have a horse like that and he fulfills everything you want. He has been an exceptional individual all his life, but these things don’t happen by accident, there has been an enormous amount of people involved in getting him here – stud manager Terry Doherty, who has been with us for 30 years, Conor Chapman, who led him up, and Donna Vowles, who is our manager in Ireland, the feed people, the farriers, all these people have to come together to get the horse here today. We are delighted, it is an incredible family and we are incredibly lucky.”

Frankel was a superstar on the racecourse and looks to have transferred that superiority to the breeding shed, breaking all records so far in his stud career and already the sire of eight top-level winners in 2022. He had five of the top 10 prices at this year`s October Book One Sale, including the top two lots.

Trade was incredibly strong at this year’s Book One sale with turnover reaching a record 126,671,000 guineas, up 47% on last year’s sale. The average and median sale prices rose by 30% and 25% respectively to 298,752 guineas and 200,000 guineas, which are also both records. However the top lot’s price fell short of the sale’s record, which remains held by a Galileo filly out of Alluring Park, who sold for 5,000,000 guineas in 2013.

The world’s most expensive horse ever sold was Fusaichi Pegasus, who cost $70 million (£53.7 million) when he was bought by the racehorse breeding powerhouse Coolmore Ireland in 2000.

You might also be interested in:

An eye-catching spotted foal sets a new auction record, plus 5 of the other most expensive horses ever sold

Yearling colt bred by Lady Lloyd-Webber sells for £1.26m

Galileo filly becomes highest priced yearling sold in the world this year

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While many, many brilliant thoroughbreds have made their mark on the racecourses around the world during their Flat or National Hunt careers, far fewer have stolen the hearts and minds of the public to become truly famous racehorses. So what is it that makes a successful horse into a one widely regarded as a “people’s horse”?

In the vast majority of cases, as well as winning important races, the most famous horses have a back story that racing fans – and the media — are interested in. Those horses who stick around for multiple seasons – an achievement that is easier for most National Hunt horses than those racing on the Flat — have the time for a wider fan base to develop.

With some famous racehorses, the story is almost as much about the people who are around them – Bob Champion with Aldaniti and Sir Henry Cecil with Frankel for example – as it is the horse itself. And not every horse becomes famous during their racing career. The fame of the late, great Galileo only grew after he retired and became the world’s most influential sire, while Shergar’s fame exploded when he went missing, never to be seen again.

As for deciding which horses deserve the title of “most famous racehorses ever”, that’s a tricky task to undertake but we’ve challenged ourselves to take it on, so here is our selection of some of the most famous racehorses of all time…

Horse & Hound’s most famous racehorses

Frankel

Foaled on 11 February 2008, Frankel is now retired from racing and is standing at stud. The British-based horse was unbeaten in his 14-race career and was the highest-rated racehorse in the world from May 2011. By Galileo, Frankel amassed £2,998,302 during his three-year Flat racing career. He was trained by the late Sir Henry Cecil and ridden in his races by Tom Queally. His race record is remarkable and includes wins in the 2,000 Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes, Sussex Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Lockinge Stakes, Queen Anne Stakes, International Stakes and Champion Stakes.

Red Rum

Red Rum jumped his way into the public’s heart with his three Aintree Grand National wins (1973, 1974 and 1977). Born on 7 May 1965, the prolific steeplechaser was renowned for his jumping ability, having not fallen in 100 races. He remains the only horse to have won the Grand National three times. The 1973 race in which Red Rum secured his comeback victory from 30 lengths behind is often considered one of the greatest Grand Nationals in history. Trained by Ginger McCain and owned by Noel le Mare, he also won the 1974 Scottish National and amassed over £146,000 in prize money throughout his career. He died on 18 October 1995 and remains one of the most famous racehorses to have ever entertained the public over fences.

Galileo

Galileo (30 March 1998 – 10 July 2021) enjoyed a successful Flat racing career (six wins from eight starts as a two- and three-year-old), but it was as a sire that he made his indelible mark on the racing industry as the most successful thoroughbred stallion of all time. After winning The Derby, Irish Derby Stakes, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2001, he was named the 2001 European Champion Three-Year-Old Colt. After retirement, Galileo became one of the most sought after sires in the world. First crowned leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 2008, he then consecutively earned the title from 2010 until 2020. In 2020, he set the record for the number of Derby winners sired at five: New Approach, Ruler Of The World, Australia, Anthony Van Dyck and Serpentine. At the time of his death he had sired 91 Group One winners, while 20 of his sons – including Frankel and Australia – have also sired Group One victors.

Arkle

Named after a mountain in Sutherland, Scotland that bordered the Duchess of Westminster’s Sutherland estate, Arkle (19 April 1957 – 31 May 1970) won three Cheltenham Gold Cups before his career was brought to a premature end by an injury. Owned by Anne Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster, he was trained by Tom Dreaper at Greenogue, Kilsallaghan in County Meath, Ireland, and ridden during his steeplechasing career by Pat Taaffe. At 212, his Timeform rating is the highest ever awarded to a steeplechaser.

Desert Orchid

Desert Orchid (11 April 1979 – 13 November 2006) has been described as “the most charismatic racehorse of the 20th century”. Adored by his public, at its height Dessie-mania was just as impassioned as Beatle-mania. Trained by David Elsworth, ‘Dessie’ won a remarkable four King George VI Chases, a Cheltenham Gold Cup, an Irish Grand National and a Tingle Creek, among many others. During his racing career he was partnered by five different jump jockeys: Colin Brown, Richard Linley, Simon Sherwood, Graham Bradley and Richard Dunwoody. Desert Orchid won 34 of his 70 starts, amassing £654,066 in prize money, but he never ran in the Grand National at Aintree as he was “too beloved” by the public.

Secretariat

Champion American Flat horse Secretariat (30 March 1970 – 4 October 1989) won the American Triple Crown, setting and still holding the fastest time record in all three races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. During his racing career, he won five Eclipse Awards, including Horse of the Year honours when he was two and three years old. Trained by Lucien Laurin, “Big Red” as he was also known, amassed over $1.316m in prize money. His win in the Belmont Stakes was record-breaking, storming home 31 lengths clear of the rest of the field.

Kauto Star

Record-breaking Kauto Star (19 March 2000 – 29 June 2015) earnt his place in the record books – and any list of famous racehorses – with five wins in the King George VI Chase. The French-bred National Hunt champion racehorse, who was trained by Paul Nicholls and owned by Clive Smith, also won the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice, in 2007 and 2009. He earned a total of £3,775,883 in prize money and bonuses. He was the top-rated steeplechaser during the 2006/7, 2008/9, 2009/10 and 2011/12 season, winning the Tingle Creek Chase in both 2005 and 2006 and the Betfair Chase four times in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2011.

Winx

Winx (foaled 14 September 2011) won 33 consecutive races as a Flat horse, predominantly in Australia. These victories included 25 Group One races, amassing over £14m in prize money. Winx became the first horse in history to win the prestigious Cox Plate four times. She retired on 13 April 2019 at Randwick racecourse after winning the Queen Elizabeth Stakes for the third time. She is now a broodmare. Trained by Chris Waller, Winx was the world’s top-ranked filly or mare and the world’s top-ranked turf horse in 2016. She retained this ranking in 2017 and in 2018 was co-ranked as the best horse in the world.

American Pharoah

American Pharoah (foaled 2 February 2012) won the American Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2015. He won nine of his 11 starts and amassed $8,650,300 in prize money for his connections. This famous racehorse now stands at stud at Ashford Stud in Kentucky. He was bred and owned throughout his racing career by Ahmed Zayat, trained by Bob Baffert, and ridden in most of his races by Victor Espinoza. He was the American Champion Two-Year-Old in 2014 and the American Champion Three-Year-Old in 2015, and was also the American Horse of the Year in 2015.

Denman

Fondly known as “The Tank”, Denman (17 April 2000 – 5 June 2018) was a much-loved National Hunt horse, who was trained by Paul Nicholls during his illustrious career. He won 14 of his 24 races, including the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Hennessy Gold Cup in both 2007 and 2009. He was well-known for his rivalry with stable mate Kauto Star throughout his career. Owned by Paul Barber and Maggie Findlay, Denman had a front-running style and was tough and gutsy, which caught the imagination and hearts of racing fans during his career.

Enable

Enable (foaled 12 February 2014) is one of the great horses of modern day Flat racing. During her career, which ran from November 2016 to October 2020, she won 15 of her 19 races, including 11 Group One races. She amassed over £10m in prize money for her owner, the late Khalid Abdullah, who also owned Frankel. She was trained by John Gosden and ridden predominantly by Frankie Dettori, who regularly documented his love for this horse. She won the Cheshire Oaks, Epsom Oaks, Irish Oaks, three King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes’, the Yorkshire Oaks and two Prix de l’Arc de Triomphes. She also won the Breeders’ Cup Turf, becoming the first Arc winner to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf in the same year. She has retired to stud as a broodmare.

Best Mate

Best Mate (28 January 1995 – 1 November 2005) was a three-time winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup between 2002 and 2004. He was much-loved by the public and trained by Henrietta Knight to win 14 of his 22 races, and finished second in seven more. He also won the King George VI Chase in 2002 and amassed over £1m in prize money. Best Mate never fell at a fence or hurdle. Of the seven races in which he finished second, five were Grade One races, and two were Grade Two races. Jim Culloty was Best Mate’s jockey for most of his biggest successes and he was owned by Jim Lewis. This famous racehorse suffered a suspected heart attack and died in front of his adoring fans while racing at Exeter.

Seabiscuit

The subject of books and films, Seabiscuit (23 May 1933 – 17 May 1947) was a champion Flat horse in the United States who became the top money-winning racehorse up to the 1940s. He beat the 1937 Triple-Crown winner, War Admiral, by four lengths in a two-horse special at Pimlico and was voted the 1938 American Horse of the Year. He only won a quarter of his first 40 races, but after moving to trainer Tom Smith, he went on to achieve great things. Among the many books and films documenting this famous racehorse’s life, the movie Seabiscuit, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Aldaniti

Aldaniti (25 June 1970 – 28 March 1997) won the Grand National in 1981. His jockey on that day, Bob Champion, had recovered from cancer, while Aldaniti had recovered after suffering a career-threatening injury. The horse was trained by Josh Gifford and owned by Nick Embiricos. Aldaniti starred as himself in the 1983 film Champions alongside John Hurt. He finished third in the 1979 Cheltenham Gold Cup and second in the Scottish Grand National. He sustained a serious leg injury at Sandown in November 1979 and was off the racecourse for over a year, which made his Grand National win all the more remarkable.

Shergar

No list of famous racehorses would be complete without Shergar (3 March 1978 – c. February 1983), who was bred and owned by HH Aga Khan IV and trained by Michael Stoute in Newmarket. From his eight races, he won six, including the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, all in 1981. After this successful season, he was retired to the Ballymany Stud in County Kildare, Ireland. In 1983 he was stolen from the stud, and a ransom of £2m was demanded; it was not paid, and negotiations were soon broken off by the thieves. In 1999 a supergrass, formerly in the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), stated they stole the horse. The IRA has never admitted any role in the theft and the horse was never found.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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Of all Flat racing’s stars, Frankel surely shines the brightest. The unbeaten son of the late, great Galileo “sustained” his trainer Sir Henry Cecil as he reached the end of his life. Julian Muscat tells Frankel’s incredible tale...

Frankel was a racehorse for the ages, an equine comet who scorched the turf over which he galloped with a distinctive blend of power and grace. Yet he was only half of the story.

Although the colt’s unblemished record speaks for itself, his tale is umbilically connected to the man who trained him. Sir Henry Cecil was on the ropes before Frankel arrived at his Warren Place stables in January 2010. The former Titan of his trade was beset by a virulent stomach cancer and the concomitant belief among his owners that he was spent. The man with 24 British Classic winners to his name had surely trained his last.

Frankel was Sir Henry’s final flourish in a heart-warming show of defiance from the man whose life outlasted Frankel’s racing career by just nine months. Some maintained that the stress of training such a great racehorse was also killing him but his wife insisted otherwise.

“I think Frankel sustained Henry,” says Jane Cecil. “I think the challenges helped to keep him alive.”

And what careers they were: Henry the champion trainer 10 times; Frankel unbeaten in 14 starts. They were made for each other. Their union was orchestrated by Khalid Abdullah, the Saudi prince who bred Frankel. Khalid was one of just two long-standing owners at Warren Place who kept faith when Henry’s numbers dried up.

“It was also about the timing,” reflects Teddy Grimthorpe, Khalid’s racing manager. “If Frankel had been foaled two years earlier he probably wouldn’t have been sent to Henry, who was at rock-bottom then. Two years later and Henry probably wouldn’t have been well enough to receive him. Their respective stories were compelling enough individually; together it was irresistible.”

FRANKEL’S name is rooted in another act of defiance against the curse of cancer. Bobby Frankel was Khalid’s principal US trainer, who fought a long battle with the disease until he succumbed in November 2009. Khalid was determined to name one of his finest young home-breds after the man who helped Juddmonte to win 16 Eclipse Awards.

Every effort was made to appropriate Frankel’s name to the right horse. And it just so happened there was a standout specimen in Juddmonte’s yearling crop in 2009. He was a bay son of Galileo with four white socks and a heart-shaped white smudge on his forehead.

“Come July of his yearling year and we thought: ‘Hello,’” relates Teddy of Frankel. “Practically anyone could see it, and it made the heart jump the first time we put a saddle on him. I told Henry about him before he’d even seen the horse, but that wasn’t just my clever opinion. He was an imposing, dominating horse generally.”

It is common currency when breeding thoroughbreds that the best of them grow up all but unnoticed. They are never ill, they are not wilful, they keep themselves to themselves. Frankel conformed in this respect, but it was soon obvious he had an extra dimension when he started working as a two-year-old.

“There was a real buzz ahead of his debut,” recalls Jane Cecil. “On the Limekilns shortly before his first race he galloped with a three-year-old rated in the 80s and left him for dead. He drew clear by 20 lengths. Everyone who saw it could hardly believe their eyes.”

Frankel started as he meant to continue. He duly obliged on his debut, beating a horse, Nathaniel, who would win the King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes as a four-year-old. He won again from two outclassed opponents at Doncaster before he delivered the first sign of his brilliance in public. Sent for the Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot, he exploded under Tom Queally to win by 10 lengths.

In his next race Frankel showed a side to him that would bring the best out of Henry’s intuitive talents. Although he won the Group One Dewhurst Stakes in October to secure the accolade of champion two-year-old, he’d raced too freely after taking a bump on leaving the stalls. Having lost his temper, he fought for his head for much of the seven-furlong journey, which diluted his finishing kick. He needed to heed instruction over the winter recess if he was to fulfil his boundless potential.

The episode prompted Henry to make the first change to Frankel’s daily routine.

“Henry called me into his office one day and said he’d like me to ride the horse at exercise,” remembers Shane Fetherstonhaugh, who’d moved to Warren Place having exercised the 2005 Derby winner, Motivator, every morning for Michael Bell. “Henry wanted to teach Frankel to settle and relax in his races.”

SHANE’S tutoring over the winter seemed to have the desired effect when Frankel sauntered to victory in his prep race ahead of the 2000 Guineas. Yet Henry was in a quandary ahead of the Newmarket Classic, when Frankel and his delegated pacemaker were drawn on opposite sides of the starting stalls.

He resolved it by instructing Tom Queally to ignore the pacemaker and let Frankel bowl along at his preferred pace. What happened next took the breath away.

Frankel was four lengths clear after two furlongs and 10 lengths clear at halfway, when the galleries on the Rowley Mile held their collective breath. Frankel was surely going too fast. How could he possibly sustain such a headlong gallop all the way to the finish?

When he did, he scripted the first of many chapters that amplified his prowess. Tom was an exultant passenger as Frankel tallied by six lengths, having never seen another horse. And there was bedlam in the winner’s enclosure when Frankel and Henry were reunited.

“Everyone said the Guineas was an amazing performance but Frankel was over-exuberant early on,” Tom remembers. “He was going too fast really but I didn’t want to pull him about, so I let him go.”

After Frankel’s freewheeling display, the question was whether he would ever prove amenable to restraint from the saddle.

“That’s where Henry came into his own,” Tom maintains. “People don’t understand just how exuberant the horse was at home. They did an amazing job to turn him into the ultimate pro he became.”

Indeed, so calming were Shane’s soft hands that Frankel came close to losing his unbeaten record next time out at Royal Ascot. He relaxed easily into his stride early on, to the extent that Tom wasn’t convinced the real Frankel was beneath him. Yet when he asked Frankel to close on the leader at halfway, the horse caught fire. He led around the home turn and strode clear, but his mid-race exertions took their toll. Frankel was gasping for air when the winning post came just in time for him to resist Zoffany by three-quarters of a length.

THESE early races were the making of Frankel, who was never threatened thereafter. Subsequent events would illustrate Henry was right on the money in resisting the lure of running in the Derby. The horse was a work in progress; one false step and the natural enthusiasm that fuelled his turbines might have evaporated for good.

“Horses like Frankel who give so much in the mornings invariably go the other way after a while,” says Shane. “They reach a point where they don’t want to do it any more. It becomes too much like hard work, but I can’t remember a morning when Frankel didn’t want to do it on the gallops. His spirit remained intact.”

Tom learnt a valuable lesson at Royal Ascot. Frankel’s compliance early in the race made him wonder whether the horse was not quite himself when, in fact, Frankel was heeding Tom’s command to relax. The colt was now growing up. There would be no more extravagant, mid-race moves of the kind that had almost cost him at Ascot.

It also afforded Tom more options in terms of how to ride him in his races. At Goodwood next time, in the Sussex Stakes, Tom felt confident enough to make the running at a sensible pace before Frankel drew away to tally by five lengths. And in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, which rounded off the horse’s three-year-old campaign, Tom restrained Frankel before the colt burst through to win by four.

Frankel the legend was now in the making. He’d won all nine of his starts by an aggregate of more than 45 lengths. He would have a valedictory season in which to cast himself as an all-time great. Yet while Frankel went from strength to strength, Henry’s health was visibly wilting. The treatment prescribed by his doctors became increasingly debilitating.

Then, out of nowhere, the whole project was in jeopardy. In April 2011 Frankel returned from morning exercise having struck into the tendon on his off fore.

“He flinched when I sponged down his leg,” Shane recalls. “That wasn’t a good sign. I could see a mark on the back of his leg, and while I’m no expert, I’d seen it enough times to know it was usually game over.”

The injury proved superficial, and was reduced to a footnote when Frankel reappeared in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. Despite having missed some work he trounced his old foe, Excelebration, by five lengths. He was back on track.

MOST horses would linger forever in the memory of what Frankel did at Royal Ascot on his next start. He cruised up to Excelebration before running clean away from him, this time by 11 lengths, to win the Queen Anne Stakes. Yet this was merely an appetiser for the Juddmonte International at York, a racecourse close to Henry’s heart.

For many years Henry and his twin brother, David, ran Cliff Stud in God’s own country. The stud was owned by Henry’s father-in-law, Sir Noel Murless, and was full of happy memories. Henry stayed there every year for the Dante and Ebor meetings in May and August.

But times had changed. When David died of cancer in 2000 it left his twin feeling helpless. Now Henry was struggling: he’d missed Frankel’s Sussex Stakes stroll and was advised not to travel to York, having spent three days in hospital the previous week.

“His consultant told him not to go but there was absolutely no way he was going to miss the International,” Jane recalls. “He had a special affinity with the people of Yorkshire.”

On raceday Henry looked as frail as Frankel looked imposing, yet he savoured what he could. Having lunched on grouse with Khalid, whose Juddmonte Farms sponsored the International, Henry was given a rapturous ovation after Frankel returned to the winners’ enclosure. Some felt Frankel was vulnerable on his first essay beyond a mile but the colt was imperious. Tom’s voice rises an octave as he recalls how Frankel put the likes of Farhh, St Nicholas Abbey and Twice Over to the sword.

“It was definitely the most fun I had on him because I was able to toy with the opposition,” Tom relates. “I could have ridden him on a silk thread that day.”

There was room for one last start before Frankel’s retirement. Henry backed away from the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, over a mile and a half, in favour of the Champion Stakes, reasoning that October heralded the onset of heavy ground that would blunt Frankel’s speed. Even then, however, incessant rain played on Henry’s nerves.

“Champion Stakes day was horrible,” Shane recalls. “Henry told me two days before the race he’d prefer not to run Frankel, but felt he had to. There was huge pressure. People were coming from all over the world to see Frankel; how could he not run him?”

Shane’s mood didn’t improve when Frankel fell out of the stalls, in the process getting some way behind Cirrus Des Aigles, his most dangerous foe. But when Tom summoned him Frankel unleashed a quality he’d rarely been required to demonstrate.

Courage, rather than natural brilliance, was at a premium in the testing ground, and Frankel showed it in abundance. Here was an outstanding champion, a horse undaunted when fate was unkind and utterly supreme when fate smiled upon him.

“Henry got his confidence back after the hard times, when he suffered all sorts of setbacks,” Jane remembers. “All the skill he’d built up over the years helped him to make the right decisions where Frankel was concerned. The horse came along at the right time.”

As for the overarching memory of the thoroughbred, Teddy captures Frankel’s impact on those close to him in eloquent terms.

“Frankel dominated all of our lives,” he says. “I went to Saudi Arabia last year, which was eight years after Frankel retired, but he was the only thing the Saudis wanted to talk about.

“And when Frankel was in training, there wasn’t one time when I spoke to Prince Khalid that we didn’t talk about Frankel. I’d say that he cantered today, or worked well or whatever he’d been up to. Everything began with Frankel. He became all-consuming.”

Frankel’s origins

Bay colt, foaled 11 February 2008

Breeding: by Galileo out of Kind, by Danehill

Owner: Khalid Abdullah

Trainer: Sir Henry Cecil

Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Ltd

Jockey: Tom Queally

Frankel is the best produce of Galileo, the champion sire in Britain and Ireland 12 times to date, and destined to overhaul his own sire Sadler’s Wells’ record haul of 14 titles posthumously. Frankel’s dam, Kind, won six from 13. Kind has also thrown Frankel’s Group One-winning full-brother Noble Mission, and Group-winning three-part brother Bullet Train.

Frankel resulted from an annual arrangement between Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms and Coolmore Stud, whose late signature sire, Galileo, bred to between five and 10 Juddmonte mares each year. Yearlings from these matings were shared between the partners, with each taking turns to have first pick. It was Juddmonte’s good fortune to have first pick in 2009. But for that, Frankel would almost certainly have raced in the silks of Coolmore’s John Magnier.

Frankel’s race record

Won all 14 of his starts and £2,998,302 across three seasons from 2010, including:

2010

Dewhurst Stakes, Newmarket

2011

2000 Guineas, Newmarket

St James’s Palace Stakes, Royal Ascot

Sussex Stakes, Goodwood

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Ascot

2012

Lockinge Stakes, Newbury

Queen Anne Stakes, Royal Ascot

Sussex Stakes, Goodwood

International Stakes, York

Champion Stakes, Ascot

UNLIKE many great racehorses before him, Frankel retired after an unblemished racing career. This only adds to his allure: 88 horses were ranged against him and none was able to take his measure.

“We always had that fantastic confidence in Frankel,” says Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to the horse’s owner, Khalid Abdullah. “You never wanted to say that he’d have to get knocked over twice by a bus to get beaten, but it was hard not to feel that he was going to win every time.”

• Have you seen Frankel in the flesh? Tell us your favourite memory of the great horse at hhletters@futurenet.com

This exclusive feature is also available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 22 July

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

The legendary champion jockey Lester Piggott and the unbeaten Frankel have become the first two members of a new hall of fame celebrating Flat racing.

The QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame has been launched to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the series, and will “immortalise the modern greats of the sport”, who have achieved “remarkable things” since 1970.

“On the basis of their undisputed status and achievements within the sport, Lester Piggott and Frankel are the first two champions to become hall of famers,” said a spokesman for the series.

Lester, an 11-time champion jockey, enjoyed a career of almost 50 years and rode 4,493 winners including 30 British Classics. The 85-year-old lives in Switzerland and received a specially commissioned medal marking his induction.

“It is an honour to become the first jockey – and the first person – to be inducted and I am truly delighted to receive this special medal,” said Lester.

“I feel fortunate to have spent many brilliant years riding such incredible horses and I’m touched to see my story so well preserved through this initiative. The hall of fame is a terrific concept and something that racing has deserved for so many years. Our sport has such an incredible history and I hope that this provides an opportunity for many others to learn about it.”

Lester added it was “only right” that Frankel is the first horse to be inducted.

“He did everything so easily and was the best by far during his time. He is the one horse I wish I could have ridden,” he said.

Frankel is the “highest-rated” racehorse in history; unbeaten in 14 starts and winner of 10 Group One races.

“Frankel, trained by the late, great Sir Henry Cecil, was simply on a different level and seemed to revel in blitzing his rivals with speed, stamina and an abnormally huge stride pattern,” said the spokesman.

“His emotional farewell at QIPCO British Champions Day 2012 came in front of The Queen and a sell-out Ascot crowd, with Frankel fending off previous winner Cirrus Des Aigles to win the QIPCO Champion Stakes, securing an official rating of 141 (which is still unbeaten) and signing off a remarkable, unbeaten career.”

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Frankel wins 14 out of 14 and retires to stud

Frankel lives up to all the hype and retires unbeaten after victory on QIPCO British Champions Day

Legends of the sport: All-time great Flat jockey Lester Piggott

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Tom Queally, Frankel’s jockey, said he was pleased that Frankel’s “unblemished” career had been acknowledged in the hall of fame.

“I’m especially delighted that he is the first racehorse to be given the accolade. I will always fondly remember the moments I spent with him,” he said.

The next inductions will take place ahead of the QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on 15 October, where Lester and connections of Frankel will attend as guests of honour.

• Do you support this new hall of fame? Who would you think deserves to join Lester and Frankel? Let us know your views on this, and any other burning topics you’d like to share with us, by writing to hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name and nearest town, for the chance for your comments to feature on the letters page in a future issue of H&H magazine

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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Tributes have been paid to Frankel’s dam, Kind, who died following complications after foaling.

Kind (Danehill x Rainbow Lake), a second generation Juddmonte homebred, died on 8 March aged 20, six days after foaling a colt by Kingman.

She won six of her 13 starts on the Flat under the guidance of trainer Roger Charlton, including the Flower of Scotland and Kilvington Stakes, before retiring to stud in 2005, and it is her outstanding contribution to thoroughbred breeding for which she will be best remembered.

Kind leaves five stallion sons at stud, including the unbeaten superstar Frankel and Group One winner Noble Mission. Her daughter, Joyeuse, and granddaughters Jubiloso and Jovial are also continuing her breeding legacy, while her three-year-old Galileo filly, Chiasma, is in training with John Gosden.

“I cannot thank the Rossdales and Juddmonte team enough for the tireless care they have given Kind,” said Juddmonte’s UK stud director, Simon Mockridge.

“To many she will rightfully always be best remembered as the dam of Frankel and Noble Mission, to us at Juddmonte she will always be Kind by name and Kind by nature.”

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Kind’s legacy as a broodmare, producing two Group One winners (Frankel and Noble Mission), plus a further Group winner (Bullet Train), means her name is on the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities’ list of protected names.

Kind’s grand-dam, Rockfest, arrived at Juddmonte in 1983. She was bought privately in 1983 as part of the John “Jock” Hay Whitney dispersal sale.

Rockfest’s progeny included Lancashire Oaks winner Rainbow Lake, who produced three Group/Graded Stakes winners, as well as dual listed winner Kind.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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Flat jockey Tom Queally partnered the mighty Frankel in all 14 of his winning starts during a racecourse career from 2010 to 2012, when the son of Galileo then took up stud duties.

While it is possibly unlikely Tom will ever sit on a horse of Frankel’s prominence again, the jockey went on to enjoy further Group One wins and rides across the Pond in a riding career spanning two decades. But on 6 November, the 36-year-old ticked off another box when riding in his first steeplechase at Fontwell Park on the Gary Moore-trained Bad Boy Du Pouldu, finishing second to Go Long.

The Irishman had ridden in a few hurdle races for his trainer-father Declan Queally, but this was his debut over the bigger sticks.

“I really enjoy it and if I’m not riding on the Flat one day, I may as well go jump racing,” says Tom, who is engaged to Bad Boy Du Pouldu’s trainer’s daughter Hayley Moore, a Sky Sports Racing presenter.

“My job has always been to ride horses – whether that is over jumps or on the Flat, it doesn’t make a difference to me,” he adds.

“I was very grateful to Gary and the horse’s owners in the Cocktail Racing Partnership for taking a risk and putting a Flat jockey up.”

Tom also appreciated the extra pounds allowed in National Hunt racing – at Fontwell he had a weight of 11st 3Ib in comparison to his daily Flat riding weight of around nine stone.

“It is much better getting in the car and being allowed a coffee in the morning instead of just having an ice cube,” he says, highlighting the harsh reality facing many jockeys when it comes to weight management.

Tom enjoyed hunting as a child in Ireland before becoming an apprentice Flat jockey.

“I always loved the idea of jump racing but back then you could get an apprentice licence aged 15, whereas you had to wait longer to go over jumps, so I just cracked on with the Flat,” he adds.

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“I’ve been very lucky with my riding career so far and it’s great to get some experience jump racing too, it’s another box ticked. If I go into punditry in retirement, at least I can say I’ve ridden under both codes. There is nothing worse than a former Flat jockey mouthing off about a jump jockey on the TV,” he quips.

“I’ve been through many ups and downs – I’ve seen it all in racing. But I am fortunate my bottle is still rock solid. I never worry about nerves, even when I was riding Frankel.

“I always say, you only regret the things you don’t do in life. I don’t worry about getting injured jump racing — you could just as easily come off a two-year-old at home. I have a great understanding of horses and I am happiest when I’m sitting on a horse.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons will play Sir Henry Cecil in a film about Frankel’s extraordinary career.

The British film star won the 1991 Academy Award for best actor in a leading role for his portrayal of Claus von Bulow in Reversal of Fortune.

Frankel, produced by Eclipse Films, will chart the career of the unbeaten superstar. It will also focus on the bond between the horse and his late trainer.

“This is the story of how [Sir] Henry in his autumn years fought failure and illness to make Frankel the greatest champion racehorse of all time,” states the film’s synopsis.

“Unbeaten in all 14 starts, winning all the honours and bowing out with an emotional victory in front of a capacity crowd at Ascot. The connection between Henry and Frankel was almost spiritual.

“They had a bond and connection: it was as if Frankel seemed to understand everything that [Sir] Henry was telling him to do, and [Sir] Henry credits Frankel for pulling him through some of his darkest moments… Frankel was his second lease of life and they made history together.”

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A bronze statue of Frankel was unveiled by The Queen on the opening day of Royal Ascot

The film is produced by Eclipse Films, directed by Ron Scalpello and produced by John Sachs, Andrew Berg, Jeremy Irons and Kimberley Sachs. The script is written by Jim Piddock, who is also the executive producer.

Andrew Berg and John Sacs told screendaily.com that Jeremy was the “first choice” to play Sir Henry and that he has a “genuine love of horses”.

Sir Henry saddled 25 British Classic winners in his career, including Frankel, and also had a record 75 Royal Ascot wins.

The film’s release date and the actor who will play Frankel’s jockey, Tom Queally, are yet to be revealed.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

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A full sister to racing superstar Frankel has been born.

Juddmonte Farms revealed on Monday (19 March) that the as-yet-unnamed filly had arrived safely last month at its Banstead Manor Stud near Newmarket.

“We are delighted with the news of this long-awaited full-sister to Frankel,” said Juddmonte’s UK stud director Simon Mockridge.

“Kind has produced us a quality Galileo filly with great presence born at 9.30pm on 27 February, weighing in at 118lbs.”

The 17-year-old mare, by Danehill, won six out of her 13 starts on the Flat before retiring to stud in 2005.

She is now one of Juddmonte’s top broodmares.

While Frankel is the most famous of her offspring — winning all of his 14 starts before retiring to stud in 2012 — her other progeny have also gone on to achieve success.

Noble Mission, born in 2009, is full brother to Frankel and Kind’s latest filly.

His victories included the Tattersalls Gold Cup, Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and the Group One Champion Stakes at Ascot in 2014.

Noble Mission’s earnings on the track topped £1.3 million and he is now standing at Lane’s End stud in Kentucky, US, for $20,000 (£14,243) a pop.

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Kind’s other offspring include the listed stakes winner Joyeuse, by Oasis Dream, and Bullet Train, by Sadler’s Wells.

In January, Juddmonte announced Kind was to return to Coolmore to be put to Galileo again this year.

Juddmonte is one of the world’s leading racing breeding operations, with bases in the UK, Ireland and the US.

All its homebreds race in owner Khalid Abdullah’s green pink and white colours.

It has bred 106 Group and Grade One winners, including 25 Classic winners.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

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He was a superstar on the racecourse and Frankel is now proving a success in the sales ring, as his progeny have taken centre stage during the Tattersalls October Yearling sale (3-14 October 2017) with one of his fillies selling for 2.5m guineas

He was a superstar on the racecourse and Frankel is now proving a success in the sales ring as his progeny have taken centre stage during the Tattersalls October Yearling sale (3-14 October 2017).

One of the highlights for the stallion’s fans was the remarkable sale of a Frankel filly for 2.5m guineas to new Japanese racing club DMM.com — who would not be outdone the following day with the purchase of another daughter of Frankel, forking out a further 1.4m guineas.

Frankel retired in 2012 unbeaten in 14 races, propelling Sir Henry back into the spotlight and boosting his career after some low years. The trainer died in June 2013 of cancer, and Lady Cecil took over the trainer’s licence. Frankel now stands at Banstead Manor Stud in Newmarket.

To celebrate the late Sir Henry Cecil-trained wonder horse, we take a look back down memory lane — from his success on the track (video) to what Sir Henry’s widow Lady Cecil revealed about about her late husband and his extraordinary horse:

Can you tell us more about Frankel’s character and personality?

“Frankel is an intelligent and exuberant horse,” says Lady Cecil. “He has a magnificent action, with that extraordinary stride that made him stand out. Henry worked with him, along with his work-rider, Shane Fetherstonhaugh, to channel that enthusiasm in the best possible way. He learned to settle beautifully in his races. He was definitely a dominant male and, along with his three-parts brother Bullet Train, enjoyed leading the string out onto the heath every morning. It was fabulous for all of us to have such a charismatic and talented horse in the stable.”

Sir Henry had an intrinsic and unique connection with Frankel. Can you tell us a little more about it?

“Henry had a very strong connection with Frankel. The experience gained from working with racehorses all his life meant he just knew which way to go with Frankel at every turn. Indeed, in Henry’s mind’s eye, he understood how the horse would develop and at what pace. This allowed him to plan the horse’s campaign, in terms of what races he would take in, when to step up him in trip.”

Together Sir Henry and Frankel had an incredible journey. Can you share with us one of your fondest memories of the pair?

“It is hard to know where to begin because there were so many special days — the 2000 Guineas, the first Sussex Stakes and, of course, his final race at Ascot. But I think the most exhilarating experience came at York when he won the Juddmonte International Stakes. Henry had undergone a lot of treatment in the build-up to the race and wasn’t feeling great, but he was absolutely determined to saddle the horse and be there for him. It was the first time Frankel had been asked to go a mile and a quarter, plus it was a race sponsored by the Prince. I recall there being a massive crowd and an incredible atmosphere at York that day and, of course, Frankel rose to the occasion. The effortless way he came past his rivals to lead and then go on was just amazing. And the reaction from the race-goers was magical. Henry seemed to get a major boost from watching Frankel win that day. I will never forget it.”

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Three-time Grand National winner Red Rum has been revealed as one of the horses featured in the Royal Mail’s “Racehorse Legends” series.

Steeplechasing superstar Desert Orchid was the first racehorse of the series to be announced when the themes for the 2017 special stamp collections were made public in January.

He has now been joined by fellow equine superstars Red Rum, Frankel, Shergar, Kauto Star, Desert Orchid, Brigadier Gerard, Arkle and Estimate.

Equestrian painter Michael Heslop created the artwork for the stamps.

“I started painting racehorses a long, long time ago,” he said. “The reason I wanted to paint racehorses is, for an artist they have everything; you paint form, you can paint movement.

“In that one image you’ve got horseflesh and you’ve got the silks of the jockey. Everything in that one image — that is really, really worth painting.”

The stamps go on sale today (6 April) and can be bought from 7,000 Post Office branches or at www.royalmail.com/racehorselegends

Racing journalist and former jockey Brough Scott added: “British Racing has been going on for almost as long as the Royal Mail and it is great for it to be recognised in this way.”

A replica Royal Mail coach and horses is also attending the Randox Health Grand National today and tomorrow (6-7 April).

“Racing is a British passion, and we pay tribute to eight legendary horses that have proven their greatness on UK racecourses and won the affection of the public,” said Philip Parler, Royal Mail’s stamp strategy manager.

The horses

Frankel (b.2008)

Unbeaten in any of his 14 starts, Flat legend Frankel’s highlights include the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in 2011 and the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2012. He retired to stud in October 2012, following his win in the Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Red Rum (1965-1995)

This year marks four decades since Red Rum won his third Grand National. Trained by Ginger McCain, he won the iconic race in 1973, 1974 and 1977, finishing second on both his other attempts in 1975 and 1976.

Shergar (1978-1983)

Trained by Michael Stoute, Shergar won five consecutive races as a three-year-old in 1981. These included the Guardian Classic Trial at Sandown Park, the Chester Vase and the Irish Derby at the Curragh. At the Epsom Derby in June, he won by 10 lengths, which remains the furthest winning distance in the race’s history. He retired to the Aga Khan’s Ballymany Stud in Ireland, but in 1983 he was stolen and never found.

Kauto Star (2000-2015)

National Hunt hero Kauto Star won the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice (2007 and 2009) and the King George VI Chase a record five times between 2006 and 2011. During his racing career he notched up 16 Grade One victories.

Desert Orchid (1979-2006)

Known affectionately as ‘Dessie’, Desert Orchid was adored by the crowds for his incredible jumping, versatility and courage. Trained by David Elsworth, he ran 71 times between January 1983 and December 1991, winning 34 races. His victories include four King George VI Chases, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Irish Grand National.

Brigadier Gerard (1968-1989)

Owned by John and Jean Hislop, and trained by Dick Hern, Brigadier Gerard won 17 of his 18 races between 1970 and 1972. His most memorable wins include the 2000 Guineas Stakes, a 10-length victory in the Goodwood Mile and top honours in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, all in 1971.

Arkle (1957-1970)

The Irish steeplechaser stormed to victories in the 1964 Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse and in the Leopardstown Chase (1964, 1965 and 1966). He cemented his legend status with consecutive wins in the Cheltenham Gold Cup (1964, 1965 and 1966) and the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury (1964 and 1965).

Estimate (b.2009)

Her Majesty The Queen became the first reigning monarch to triumph in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot when Estimate won the coveted race in June 2013. The mare was retired to stud in September 2014 after five victories on the track.

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A bronze statue of unbeaten racehorse Frankel was unveiled by The Queen at Royal Ascot today (Tuesday 16 June).

Frankel, who was trained by the late Sir Henry Cecil, drew in the crowds throughout his career and retired undefeated in 2012.

He won 14 races and was retired after his final victory — in the Group One QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot.

The statue was created by sculptor Mark Coreth and overlooks the Ascot parade ring, facing the winner’s enclosure.

It was unveiled shortly after the opening race of the Royal Meeting, The Queen Anne Stakes, which was won by the favourite Solow.

“This unveiling adds to a spectacular opening day at Royal Ascot,” said Guy Henderson, chief executive at Ascot.

“Frankel was the people’s horse and much-loved. It is entirely appropriate that his statue will be among the crowds who visit Ascot through the year, and looking at the winner’s podium.”

Lady Cecil, Sir Henry’s widow, added: “Ascot played a special part in Frankel’s career as five of his 14 wins came at the course. It is fitting that such a magnificent statue will stand at the course to celebrate his achievements.

“Mark Coreth has captured the presence, power and strength of Frankel. I cannot imagine a more fitting or appropriate testament to his talent.”

Frankel now stands at Banstead Manor Stud near Newmarket, with his first crop of foals born last year.

The statue is one of a set of four and the others will stand at the National Museum of Horse Racing in Newmarket, York racecourse and Banstead Manor Stud.

Mr Coreth added: “It was an honour to be asked to create this sculpture of this extraordinary horse. The creative process was a delight and the sculpture tries to capture the power and vitality of Frankel.”

Picture by Bill Selwyn

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A one-hour documentary on Frankel and his trainer Sir Henry Cecil will be shown on Channel 4 this weekend.

The programme, entitled The Trainer and the Racehorse: The Legend of Frankel, will air on Saturday 13 June at 7pm.

It is part of the Channel’s build up to next week’s Royal Meeting at Ascot (16-20 June).

According to Channel 4, the documentary “tells the story of how Frankel became the ultimate champion racehorse and transformed the last years of charismatic trainer Sir Henry Cecil”.

Frankel, who is owned by Prince Khaled Abdullah, now stands at Banstead Manor Stud in Newmarket. He retired in 2012 after being unbeaten in 14 races.

Throughout his career Frankel delighted racing fans and drew in crowds. His trainer Sir Henry died of cancer in 2013.

“Amid all the glamour and glory that surrounds both Frankel and Sir Henry this is a story that pulls at the heartstrings and proves there is such a thing as a second chance at life,” said director Chris Durlacher.

“Whether or not you’re a horseracing fan, it’s deeply moving how Sir Henry fought back from rock bottom to train Frankel, a horse that didn’t just win but raced like nobody had ever seen before.”

Many individuals associated with the great horse and trainer are featured in the documentary from his work rider Shane Fetherstonhaugh, to head lass Dee Deacon, Lady Jane Cecil, wife of the late Sir Henry Cecil and his youngest son, Jake.

Other contributors include The Guardian racing correspondent Chris Cook, Prince Khaled Abdullah’s racing manager Lord Grimthorpe and Dr Charles Crawley, who retells Sir Henry’s resilient approach to metastatic cancer.

Producer Jeremy Bradshaw, of Oxford Scientific Films, said: “Frankel is considered the greatest flat horse of all-time and we are delighted to have been commissioned to take a look back at the extraordinary partnership between horse and trainer.

“The documentary features many of the great moments in Frankel’s glittering career and Sir Henry’s uniquely intuitive ability to understand racehorses. It is appropriate that Channel 4 viewers can relive this great association ahead of the prestigious Royal Meeting.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The likelihood is that the new royal baby girl will have a fair amount of toys heading her way to celebrate her long awaited arrival. But if she’s anything like her polo-loving father, eventing legend great aunt or racing-mad great granny, our pick of horsey toys will be the only ones that she is actually interested in playing with.

And with so many of the world’s equine stars now immortalised as toys — most recently Valegro — there couldn’t be a better way to get the new baby familarised with the big names of our sport. The only problem will be keeping Prince George’s hands off his younger sister’s toys…

1. A Toytown rocking horse

What better way to give the new baby a subtle hint that eventing is in the blood than by splashing out on this rocking horse version of Zara Phillips‘ Toytown? Even his white spots have been faithfully reproduced.

Visit: www.rockinghorses.uk.net

2. A Mistral Hojris Breyer toy

This Breyer model of dressage sensation Laura Tomlinson‘s (née Bechtolsheimer) Olympic gold medallist Mistral Hojris will be a helpful reminder to the baby girl of Britain’s success at the London 2012 Olympic Games in years to come.

Visit: www.breyerhorses.com

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3. A Denman jigsaw puzzle

This Denman puzzle from the Injured Jockeys Fund is one to be tucked away in the cupboard for the new baby to play with when she’s older. But it will be worth the wait when she can spend hours piecing together the National Hunt star.

Visit: shop.ijf.org.uk

4. A Frankel Breyer toy

Honour the unbeaten racehorse with a Breyer model. When the baby girl is old enough to know that the Sir Henry Cecil-trained Frankel won all 14 out of 14 starts, she will be glad to have this legend among her toys.

Visit: www.breyerhorses.com

5. A Black Caviar soft toy

Black Caviar in her soft toy format will make the perfect companion as the baby girl has sweet dreams about the superstar mare soaring past the finishing line.

Visit: www.blackcaviarshop.com.au

Diclaimer: Please note that these toys may not be suitable for new born babies.

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A filly by Frankel has fetched €1.8m (£1.4m) — and was a record Irish sale.

The foal (pictured) was sold at the Goffs sale in Ireland yesterday (Thursday 20 November) and was also the most expensive foal sold in Europe in the past decade.

The filly is out of 10-year-old chestnut mare Finsceal Beo (by Mr Greeley and out of Musical Treat).

She was consigned by the Al Eile Stud and bought by Dermot Farrington Bloodstock for an unnamed Irish client.

“Sensational. Amazing. Historic,” said Henry Beeby of Goffs.

The filly is sister to leading Derby hope Ol’Man River, and was always going to be the jewel in the crown of the lots on offer.

Ol’ Man River — by Montjeu — also a fetched a hefty sum at sale — going for €.2.85m as a yearling at Goffs last year.

The total of Finsceal Beo’s progeny has now reached €5.45m. The mare won the 1,000 Guineas and Irish equivalent in 2007 when trained by Jim Bolger.

Although a high price, the European record for a foal belongs to Mr Typhoon — half sister to Galileo and Sea The Stars who sold for €1.8m at Tattersalls in 2002.

Frankel retired unbeaten in 14 races in 2012 and now stands at his owner Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Banstead Manor Stud, commanding a fee of £125,000 a cover.

The first offspring of the famous sire was sold for £1.15m in London at the Goffs sale in June.

The unnamed colt was sold along with dam, Crystal Gaze, at the inaugural Goffs London Sale, held at Kensington Palace.

The pair were bought by MV Magnier of Coolmore. The colt was born on 18 March and was consigned by Tweenhills Farm and Stud.

Four more Frankel foals will go under hammer next week 26 November – 29 November at Tattersalls in Newmarket.

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Flat jockey Tom Queally has received a 22-month drink driving ban — after claiming he had been sleep walking at the time.

Tom, who was found asleep at the wheel of his car earlier this year said he had been “sleep driving”. However, he admitted drink driving at Crewe Magistrates Court yesterday (Monday 17 November).

The jockey rose to fame when he partnered the unbeaten superstar Frankel to victory in all 14 of the colt’s races.

Tom was banned for 22 months and fined £1,350, as well as being ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £120 and prosecution costs of £3,500.

The 30-year-old was was found asleep at the wheel of his BMW more than twice over the legal limit at 5.40am on 16 March this year. The car was in the forecourt of a petrol station with the lights on and engine running.

Tom, of Oak Lodge, Newmarket, claimed not to have been drinking and then “rolled” out of a police car and lay on the ground before being arrested, the court heard.

He failed a breath test — having 84microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35m.

His lawyer Nick Freeman claimed Tom was “morally totally innocent” as he was “sleep driving” at the time.

The jockey, who has reportedly suffered from sleep walking since he was five-years-old, had never sleep driven before. His defence claimed the incident was triggered by a series of events including the break up of a long-term relationship and the death of trainer Sir Henry Cecil, whom he rode for.

Mr Freeman told the court: “The thrust of my mitigation is he’s completely unaware of what he’s doing. He’s sleep driving.”

However, district Judge Bridget Knight said previous legal authorities had ruled sleep walking was not a defence for drink driving and imposed the ban.

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Frankel fans are in for a treat, as a new feature documentary on the unbeaten racing star is to be aired next year.

Channel 4 is working on a new programme that focuses on the story between Frankel and his trainer, Sir Henry Cecil.

The show — which has a working title of “Frankel and Henry Cecil: The story of the world’s greatest racehorse” — will be broadcast in the build up to Royal Ascot 2015.

Channel 4 says the documentary will “reflect the back-from-the-brink story of Sir Henry’s training career and Frankel — the world’s highest rated racehorse”.

The channel also promises “unrivalled access to Frankel, Warren Place and key members of the racing community.”

Frankel — who retired in 2012 after being unbeaten in 14 races — now stands at his owner Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Banstead Manor Stud in Newmarket. His first progeny are now being sold.

Throughout his racing career he delighted fans and drew in massive crowds.

“Frankel’s sublime racing career and his blossoming stud career will be the subject of an exciting insight. This will give his legion of fans something to savour,” said Teddy Grimthorpe, Khalid Abdulllah’s racing manager.

The documentary is to be produced by Oxford Scientific Films, creators of the programme How to win the Grand National.

“This is one of those projects that is just a joy to work on,” said David Glover, Channel 4’s head of specialist factual. “I loved working on with Oxford Scientific Films on How to Win the Grand National. This will be a similar passion project for all of us. The story is extraordinary — our aim is do it justice.”

Jamie Aitchison, Channel 4’s commissioning editor for sport, added: “This documentary marks our sixth dedicated horseracing commission within a three year period and reinforces our tireless commitment to the sport. I would like to thank Juddmonte for their cooperation on this project. – the enviable accessibility will ensure that this documentary will be must-see-television.”

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Frankel’s first foal to go to auction was sold for £1.15m alongside his mother, Crystal Gaze, earlier this week (16 June). But only time will tell if the unnamed 3-month-old colt will be good as his father for his new owner MV Magnier. Crystal Gaze is already in foal to Frankel again, so all being well, there will be a full brother or sister arriving in 2015.

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The first foal by Frankel to be sold at auction was bought today (Monday 16 June) for £1.15m.

The unnamed colt was sold along with his dam, Crystal Gaze, at the inaugural Goffs London Sale, held at Kensington Palace.

The mare is expecting her 2nd foal by Frankel early next year.

The pair were bought by MV Magnier of Coolmore.

“We’ve really enjoyed tonight’s sale and are delighted to have bought a such lovely a mare and foal,” he said. “The Coolmore team really like the look of the colt and we’re excited for the future.”

He added that the colt had been bought for a racing partnership with 4 people in it, and that it was too early to say where the horse will be trained.

The colt was born on 18 March and was consigned by Tweenhills Farm and Stud.

“As he is such a smashing foal and she is a lovely mare, I am very sad to see the pair go,” said David Redvers of Tweenhills.

“However, we are delighted with the interest it has generated and what it has done for the industry.”

Frankel retired unbeaten after 14 races in 2012, and commands a stud fee of £125,000.

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Racing royalty will be on show at Kensington Palace on Monday (16 June) as the first of Frankel’s offspring goes under the hammer.

At the Goffs London Sale, in association with QIPCO, a foal fathered by the unbeaten star will become the 1st in the world to be sold.

The unnamed colt (pictured above) will be the final lot of the inaugural auction on the eve of Royal Ascot and will be sold with his dam, Crystal Gaze.

The mare is expecting her 2nd foal by Frankel early next year.

The mare and foal are expected to sell for a 7-figure sum.

The colt was born on 18 March and will be paraded by Tweenhills Farm & Stud.

“He is a very handsome colt with huge presence and great action,” said Tweenhills owner David Redvers.

“He has what I would call a typical Frankel temperament in that he knows he is special and really owns the show. At this stage he looks like a speedy type, which is no surprise given his mother has bred some excellent sprint winners.”

Goffs’ Henry Beeby added: “It will be a day of 1sts. Goffs will hold the 1st thoroughbred racehorse sale in Central London, which will climax with the 1st foal by the greatest racehorse ever, Frankel, to be sold at public auction anywhere in the world. The sale location is stunning and so is the foal.”

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Frankel fever is has returned — as photos of his first filly have been released.

The as yet unnamed bay foal, who is out of a mare called Song, was born at the National Stud in Newmarket at around 5.30am on Sunday (19 January).

The National Stud’s Brian O’Rourke said that both mare and foal were “doing well”, and that the filly is “a very nice quality, athletic individual”.

She is the 2nd foal born to the unbeaten Flat star.

On 11 January a colt was born at Coolmore Stud in Tipperary, Ireland, out of the five-times-winning mare Chrysanthemum.

Coolmore reported that the foal was a handsome colt “with a good head, a white blaze and great presence”.

Song is a full sister to Group 1 winners Yesterday and Quarter Moon. She is unraced, and was bought by Khalid Abdul Rahim of Bahrain for €1m in the Paulyn Dispersal at last year’s Goffs November Sale.

She will return home to Friarstown Stud in Ireland at the end of the season. Song is also due to visit Darley Stud’s Dubawi this yar.

Frankel, trained by the late Sir Henry Cecil, was retired to Juddmonte Farms Banstead Manor Stud, near Newmarket in October 2012 after winning 14 races from 14 starts.

He commands a £125,000 stud fee and covered 133 mares in his first season, of which 126 were confirmed in foal. 

Photos by Thoroughbred Photography/Trevor Jones

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Unbeaten racehorse Frankel’s first foal has been born at a stud in Ireland.

His owners Juddmonte Farms confirmed today (15 January) that the foal was born at 8.30pm on Saturday (11 January) at Coolmore Stud in Tipperary.

The foal is out of dual Group-winning mare Chrysanthemum. This is her first foal.

Coolmore reported that the foal was a handsome colt “with a good head, a white blaze and great presence”.

Juddmonte Farms general manager Philip Mitchell said: “From the reports that I have received Frankel’s first foal is everything we could have hoped for.

“These are very exciting times for everyone who has supported the horse and we much look forward to the rest of his first crop of foals.”

Frankel, who was trained by the late Sir Henry Cecil, was retired to stud at Banstead Manor Stud, near Newmarket in October 2012 after winning 14 races from 14 starts.

The world’s top-rated racehorse has a £125,000-a-time stud fee and covered 133 mares between February and June 2013.

It is estimated that he made £15m from his first season at stud and that he could make as much £100m from his breeding career. 

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Frankel’s final race was immortalised in an oil painting by the leading sporting artist Daniel Crane — and now 2 framed prints are to be auctioned for charities nominated by the horse’s late trainer, Sir Henry Cecil.

Daniel studied Frankel on the gallops in Newmarket, at home at Warren Place and at several race meetings.

Seeing Frankel at home was the “most beneficial”, said Daniel. He studied the horse’s walk — described as “Panther-esque” by H&H columnist Brough Scott — up close.

“It was fluid and economical — incredibly impressive,” added Daniel.

His painting shows the unbeaten colt being led into the Ascot winner’s enclosure on Champions Day last October by the Household Cavalry.

Before his death in June, Sir Henry nominated the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) and East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices as beneficiaries. The first print will be auctioned for the IJF on 5 December. The second date is to be confirmed.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (22 August, 2013)

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The Juddmonte bloodstock operation is to be scaled back, after the owner Prince Khalid Abdulla (pictured left beside Frankel) announced plans to “make some disposals”.

Prince Khalid is famous for his pink, white and green silks carried by some of the world’s best horses, including Frankel.

It has not yet been confirmed what will be sold off, but it is not thought Frankel, who is valued at £100million and has a fee of £125,000 per cover, will be among them.

Juddmonte has studs in Britain, Ireland and the USA and has around 900 horses. Other stallions include Oasis Dream and Dansili and broodmares include Frankel’s dam Kind.

• This news story was first published in H&H magazine, 13 June 2013 issue

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First there was the Kauto Star bar at Kempton. Now unbeaten superstar Frankel is being honoured with his own mini museum and bar at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile racecourse.

Frankel is currently standing at his owner-breeder Khalid Abdullah’s Banstead Manor Stud at a covering fee of £125,000. But now fans who want to relive his career will be able to eat and drink in the “Frankel Room”, which will also be packed with memorabilia.

Newmarket announced last week that the Frankel Room will be officially opened on Saturday, 28 September, the day of the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes — a race that Frankel won in 2010.

It will take the place of what was the Paddock Bar, next to the weighing-room.

“Newmarket racecourses feels a special affinity towards Frankel [he won once at the July course and twice at the Rowley Mile],” said Amy Starkey, regional director of the Jockey Club.

“We wanted to celebrate his career in a suitably memorable manner. The idea of a Frankel Room — an exhibition of his brilliance and the people around him — had an enduring appeal.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (18 April 2013)

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“Well-bred, discerning gentleman (based Newmarket) WLTM fillies of similar background for no-strings fun…”

Not that Frankel — the horseworld’s most desirable date — would ever have to advertise. The unbeaten five-year-old, who begins his stud duties today, the feast of St Valentine, is reportedly booked up for the rest of the year.

And he can look forward to some top equine totty.

Among those heading to Banstead Manor Stud are Danedream, winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and six-times Group One winner Midday.

The latter clearly has a thing for the family, having just had a foal by Galileo, Frankel’s sire.

There’s also tantalising talk of a hook-up with the wonder from down under, Black Caviar.

But Frankel’s love doesn’t come cheap. At £125,000 a pop, only the best need apply.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (14 February 2013)

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Recently retired racing star Frankel is settling into his new home at Banstead Manor Stud near Newmarket.

And Juddmonte Farms has announced that when the four-year-old’s duties begin next year he will command a hefty fee of £125,000.

Frankel, who is owned by Prince Khalid Abdulla, was waved off from Warren Place by Sir Henry Cecil and his staff earlier this month (8 November).

Philip Mitchell, Juddmonte Farms’ general manager at Banstead Manor Stud, said: “We believe our stallion roster is the best we have been able to offer breeders — and we are very excited.

“The fee for Frankel reflects his merits as being perhaps the greatest racehorse we have ever witnessed. He is by Galileo, who is now recognised as the best sire in the world, and out of Kind, a winner of six races and herself a daughter of one of the most influential stallions in the history of thoroughbred breeding, Danehill.”

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Superstar racehorse Frankel has left trainer Sir Henry Cecil’s yard to start his new life at Banstead Manor Stud.

Frankel, who retired unbeaten last month after his 14th win, will stand for his owner Khalid Abdulla’s Juddmonte Farms at Banstead Manor in 2013.

The four-year-old was waved off from Warren Place by Sir Henry and his staff earlier today (Thursday 8 November).

“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,” Sir Henry Cecil said.

“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 past 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.”

And in arriving at Banstead Manor, Frankel — by Galileo and out of Kind — returns to his birthplace.

“In the foaling unit on February 11 2008 at 11.40pm, little did we realise that we were witnessing the birth of a phenomenal racehorse,” said Juddmonte’s Philip Mitchell.

“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.”

Picture by Trevor Jones.

To celebrate Frankel’s arrival at Banstead Manor Stud, we have an EXCLUSIVE bundle including a 12″x8″ print, 2013 calendar and 5 greeting cards up for grabs in the H&H Shop

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Frankel, the best racehorse in the world, lived up to all the hype and won the QIPCO Champion Stakes on British Champions Day at Ascot to complete his unbeaten career.

Trained by Sir Henry Cecil and ridden by Tom Queally, Frankel has now won all of his 14 starts. He will now be retired to stud.

The four-year-old son of Galileo was slow to leave the stalls but quickly settled to the outside of the field in fourth place, with his brother and regular lead horse Bullet Train making the pace with the French-trained winner of this race last year, Cirrus Des Aigles.

Queally made his move on Frankel with two furlongs to go and swept past the mud-loving Cirrus Des Aigles to a tremendous roar from the capacity crowd.

But the very soft ground made Frankel work harder than he has usually had to and he couldn’t stretch away in the manner of his dramatic wins at Goodwood and York this summer.

He reached the winning post a comfortable length and three-quarters ahead of the game Cirrus Des Aigles with Nathaniel – who finished second to Frankel in their first ever race as two-year-olds – back in third place.

“He’s the supreme equine athlete,” said Lord Grimthorpe, Frankel’s owner-breeder Khalid Abdullah’s racing manager. “We won’t see his like again.”

Sir Henry Cecil said: “I can’t believe in the history of racing there’s ever been a better racehorse. I’ve enjoyed every moment of training him, although it’s been slightly strenuous at times. He didn’t enjoy the ground, although I think I’ve got him too relaxed now — he had plenty in hand.”

Order this great new DVD that celebrates Frankel’s incredible career, from the Horse & Hound shop.

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All eyes will be on Ascot racecourse tomorrow (20 October), when the best racehorse in the world bids to bow out unbeaten.

Frankel, trained by Sir Henry Cecil, will aim to win his 14th consecutive race, in front of a sell-out crowd of 32,000 at QIPCO British Champions Day.

The four-year-old son of Galileo is owned by his breeder Khalid Abdullah and this is expected to be Frankel’s final run before retiring to stud.

And if he wins, he could become officially the greatest racehorse of all time in the British Horseracing Authority ratings system.

The tickets sold out nearly a month in advance – with an extra 1,500 tickets being released on 24 September – and top figures from the worlds of racing and equestrianism will be there, with The Queen the guest of honour.

Frankel will be contesting the £1.3million QIPCO Champion Stakes – Europe’s most valuable mile and a quarter race.

He is due to meet Cirrus Des Aigles, who won the race a year ago, and Nathaniel, who has run Frankel closer than any other horse, being beaten by just half a length when the pair made their debut.

And as part of the celebrations, members of medal-winning British Olympic and Paralympic teams – including Peter Charles, Ben Maher, Nick Skelton, Natasha Baker, Sophie Wells, Deb Criddle, Sophie Christiansen, Carl Hester, Tina Cook, William Fox-Pitt, Zara Phillips and Nicola Wilson – will be parading at Ascot.

“Going there as a team should be really exciting,” Tina told H&H. “I’ve never seen Frankel in the flesh before and he’s a legend. Like so many I’ve seen him on TV, but to see him perform in real life will be fantastic.”

Carl added: “I’m delighted to have been invited. If it is Frankel’s last run before he retires to stud, it’ll be even more exciting.”

And dual gold medal-winning Paralympic rider Natasha told H&H: “I’m extremely excited to be going to Ascot – and it’s so nice to see that people are so inspired by London 2012.

“I’ve been so busy since it will be lovely to celebrate the champions of racing. I haven’t been to the races for a few years and I’ve never seen Frankel. It’s an amazing opportunity.”

There will also be British Equestrian Federation demonstrations and six Olympic fences on display, turning the Old Paddock Lawns into a “replica mini-Greenwich”.

Watch British Champions Day on BBC1 from 1.30pm-4.30pm

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (18 October 2012)

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Are you a fan of Frankel?

An iPhone cover featuring the unbeaten superstar racehorse is among new items in the Injured Jockeys Fund’s (IJF) range of Christmas gifts for this year.

The special phone cover costs £10 and is available now in the height of “Frankel Fever”, as the Sir Henry Cecil-trained four-year-old bids to bow out unbeaten when he runs at Ascot on Saturday (20 October).

There are five pages of gifts as well as calendars, cards and diaries in the Christmas brochure.

Vice-patron of the IJF, champion jockey AP McCoy, said: “The IJF Christmas gift brochure is full of some great gifts including our stunning Christmas cards and photo competition wall calendar.

“With John Francome’s Christmas Crackers, Jack Berry’s Boozy Christmas Puddings and even a Richard Johnson Bottle Stopper, there really are some fun and useful gifts which I hope you like.”

The gifts raise vital funds for the charity, which helps rehabilitate and support injured jockeys and their familes.

For more information visit: www.ijf.org.uk or by freephone 08080 453 453

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Next Saturday (20 October) all eyes will be on unbeaten superstar racehorse Frankel, when he runs at QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot.

Frankel, trained by Sir Henry Cecil, will be bidding for a 14th consecutive win. All of the four-year-old’s 13 wins have been with jockey Tom Queally.

Enjoy some of the highlights of his career so far highlights – including his 2000 Guineas, Queen Anne Stakes and Juddmonte wins – in this short video.

“With sports fans across the country counting down the days until QIPCO British Champions Day and the climax of the flat racing season, this video gives them a much-needed Frankel-fix to whet the appetite before, what is likely to be, his last race,” said Rod Street, of the British Champions Series.

“Tickets sold out in September but you can still tune in on Saturday 20 October [on BBC1, Racing UK and Attheraces] to watch all the action live as racing history is made.”

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Frankel, the world’s greatest racehorse has done it again, this time winning by a cool seven lengths in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York (22 August).

The Sir Henry Cecil-trained horse – who went into the race unbeaten – notched up his 13th consecutive win.

He set off at 1-10 favourite. Frankel had a slow break from the stalls, but barely came out of first gear as he swooped past his rivals to take the lead.

It was the four-year-old’s first time over 10 furlongs and he cruised through the race, finishing ahead of Godolphin’s Farhh. The Aidan O’Brien-trained St Nicholas Abbey was a nose behind in third.

Frankel, who is a son of Galileo, is owned by his breeder Prince Khalid Abdullah.

“It’s like a dream,” said the Prince’s racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe, after the race.

Trainer Sir Henry Cecil was at York, after missing Frankel’s Goodwood win earlier this month due to treatment for cancer.

“It was great wasn’t it?” said Sir Henry. “It’s fantastic and it’s great for Yorkshire — they’re very supportive of racing and deserve to see him. It [the win] makes me feel 20 years better.”

Jockey Tom Queally, who has partnered Frankel in all 13 of his victories said the race “panned out nicely” and that it was a “fantastic traning performance” from Sir Henry.

It was also Frankel’s eighth Group One win in a row, breaking Rock Of Gibraltar’s record. It took his winnings to more than £2million.

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As Frankel goes for his 13th straight victory in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York’s Ebor Meeting this afternoon, here are 13 fun facts about the top racehorse.

• The first of Frankel’s 12 victories was on Friday 13th – in August 2010
• His trainer Sir Henry Cecil is superstitious – he salutes single magpies, flies the family flag every time he has a Group One winner and used to fill up with petrol every time he went to the races
• The horse’s four white feet defy the old horse dealers’ proverb which advises “four white feet, go home without him”
• His star sign is Aquarius as he was born on 11 February. Apparently Aquarians are “trailblazers who don’t follow the crowd
• He’s brought only bad luck to bookmakers having started favourite in all 12 of his races. In the last eleven Frankel has started at odds-on.
• Half a length is the nearest any other horse has got near him in his 12 winning races – while his greatest winning distance has been 13 lengths
• Frankel has won from stall three on five occasions. Will stall seven be lucky today?
• The International has been a hoodoo race for odds-on favourites, with 11 of the 17 odds-on shots getting turned-over. Frankel is certain to start as odds-on favourite.
• In the inaugural running of the Juddmonte International in 1972, the unbeaten champion Brigadier Gerard was defeated by the Derby winner, Roberto. This was his only defeat in his 18-race career.
• Tom Queally, Frankel’s regular jockey, rode his first winner on 13 April 2000.
• Frankel is the most valuable horse on the planet, estimated to be worth £100 million once he retires to stud. Owners of the lucky brood mares he’ll cover can expect to pay £100,000 a time
• The four-year-old’s owner, Prince Khalid Abdullah, has sponsored the Juddmonte International since 1989 but it’s not been a lucky race for him, having won it only once (last year with Twice Over) despite having runners on 12 occasions
• Frankel’s reputation tends to scare off the opposition. In the second race of his career, he faced just two other runners and the average number of runners in his race has been seven. The largest field was for the 2011 2000 Guineas when 13 horses went to post.

The race will be shown on Channel 4 at 3.40pm today.

Racing fans will hold their breath this afternoon (Wednesday 22 August) as unbeaten superstar Frankel bids to win his 13th consecutive race.

The Sir Henry Cecil-trained four-year-old is stepping up in trip and will be running over 10 furlongs for the first time. He will be ridden by regular jockey Tom Queally – who has partnered Frankel on his previous 12 wins.

Frankel will be up against eight others in the Juddmonte International on the first day of York’s Ebor Meeting. Though he’s set to go off 1-7 favourite, his main rival looks likely to be the Aidan O’Brien trained St Nicholas Abbey, who is proven over longer distances than Frankel and won the Group One Diamond Jubilee Coronation Cup (1m4f) at Epsom on 2 June.

The race will be shown on Channel 4 at 3.40pm today.

Will it be lucky 13 for Frankel? Enjoy 13 fun Frankel facts

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This afternoon the magnificent Frankel bids to continue his unbeaten run and win his 12th race.

Frankel is up against just three rivals – his half-brother Bullet Train, Gabrial and Farhh – in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood today (Wednesday 1 August). His main contender looks to be Godolphin’s Farhh, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, who was supplemented for the race at a cost of £19,500.

Frankel, owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah, won the race last year beating Canford Cliffs by five lengths in what was dubbed “the duel on the Downs”. If he wins he will become the first horse to win the race twice.

The four-year-old, who is officially rated the world’s best racehorse, won his 11th consecutive race – the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on 19 June. And today he goes off at 1-20 favourite.

Though his trainer Sir Henry Cecil will not be present.

“Unfortunately, I won’t be at Goodwood on Wednesday as I have been undergoing some treatment,” said Sir Henry on his website. “Although I am able to train my horses I’m not quite fit to go racing yet, but I hope to be fully recovered in the near future.

“Everything has gone as we could have wished with Frankel since the Queen Anne Stakes. We gave him an easy time immediately after Royal Ascot before bringing him back into fast work.

“He has pleased us with his work and is going to the Sussex Stakes in good shape. We are taking one race at a time with him and are hoping that he can extend his unbeaten record.”

The Sussex Stakes will be run at 3.10pm today.

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Royal Ascot was a multidimensional celebration of talent and tradition. These combined made for a spectacular event. While the horses made their own headlines, the BBC presentation was made in immaculate fashion by consummate professional Clare Balding.

Clare is a relatively unsung hero and one with an embarrassment of riches in the knowledge department. The void that the BBC has left has been enlarged by the fact that Clare will no longer adorn our screens. Her attention to detail and intense enthusiasm is captivating. Ascot is somewhere she particularly excels, as there is so much that needs explaining and so many personalities to interview that one needs extensive knowledge of the intricate details.

Peter Dimmock was right when giving Clare so much credit for being the special headline act. In addition, in her Racing Post column Hayley Turner describes her as “in a class of her own”, which basically confirms that if presenters were handicapped like horses, Clare Balding would be pounds higher than her rivals – rather like Frankel. A British presenter to be proud of.

Who shone at Ascot?

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune made Ascot the best sporting saga.

The highlight for me would be Frankel. My sister Lydia – who actually spent the week on the BBC team – suggests that racecourse vets and doctors will have to start using Ferraris to keep up with this horse. This may be the best way to try to describe the indescribable.

Willie Mullins once again carried all before him with his runners and Simenon simply sauntered home with the Ascot Stakes and Queen Alexandra Stakes.

John Gosden had his team in ferocious fettle and, if you describe the ambitious young as “hungry”, then William Buick is starving. One had to feel for him unfortunately getting nutted on the line by Ryan Moore in his gallant effort for the top jockey award.

More is what we would like to see of Black Caviar, but sadly not on our shores. One would have to admit to there being a hollow aspect to her victory. She did look demure walking round the paddock before the race and tired afterwards. For Australia it wasn’t just about winning a race; it was about maintaining its sporting pride. Celebrate the Aussies did, but most likely after removing their hearts from the mouths. She came, saw, didn’t annihilate but won and, as trainer Peter Moody said, he would settle for an inch.

One must spare a thought for my former boss James Fanshawe, who not only lost a potential sprinting star to injury in Deacon Blues but also lost valuable lengths at the start of the Diamond Jubilee Stakes when Society Rock sat down in the stalls. While one never knows what might have been, he was eye-catching when finishing late and fast.

A royal revival

Ascot brimmed with pride at The Queen’s horse Estimate impressively winning the Queen’s Vase and, appropriately, it saw a resurgence in the fortunes of trainer Sir Michael Stoute. He was unlucky to be doing battle with another Aussie ace in So You Think with Carlton House, but he also added to the Juddmonte racing and breeding operation’s prize haul with Sea Moon.

Both Sir Michael and Frankie Dettori let the horses do the talking, and former champions they may be but has beens they are most certainly not. The finish to the Gold Cup couldn’t be written if you had tried.

Frankie had the choice between Colour Vision and Opinion Poll. In addition, with heir apparent Mikael Barzelona rumoured to be enthroned as number one in Godolphin’s also resurgent kingdom, then a lot was at stake. Mikael is definitely snapping at Frankie’s heels – well, he literally was on Opinion Poll – but to no avail. Like Black Caviar, it wasn’t just a race, but also represented the old brigade reasserting their authority.

What’s happening at Dason Court?

At Dason Court the Doncaster Sales store purchases are all broken in and hacking up the gallop. It is a hair-raising time and not for the faint-hearted, but great fun. As I have been reminded, they are all dreams at the moment with potential to be realised.

It has been rather quiet, other than King’s Apollo disappointing at Uttoxeter. It is back to the drawing board as he took regressive, rather than progressive, steps. He jumped right all the way and lost valuable ground. He has never shown a tendency to hang at home, but he is still so mentally immature that I won’t judge him too harshly just yet. There are a few things I will change that may help him.

While I was delighted to see my view confirmed, I wasn’t quite prepared for it so soon with ex-pat Ballybough Gorta winning at Hereford on Sunday. He is a horse who I thought would appreciate the summer ground and fences. All his siblings’ wins have come on good going or faster. Sadly for me, with the weather not helping and pressure to run before his sale date, he is a winner now but for Peter Bowen, whose team are in cracking form.

The remaining thought is with John Gosden, who described racing as a game of vicissitudes. While he sadly lost one potentially good horse in The Nile at the Royal meeting, the winners then started to flow. They do say this game can tame lions.

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The first day of Royal Ascot is always the best.

Walking through the gates to the racecourse, it all feels mint-fresh, shiny, squeaky-clean. The track is a perfect, virgin sward. Everyone is beaming, and wearing their favourite outfit of the ones selected for the week.

No one’s feet are yet sore beyond endurance. No one has yet failed to train or ride a winner. No horse has yet disappointed the collective expectations lumped up on it. No one has lost a fortune. No one has had a drunken row with their wife/husband/offspring.

This year, the first half an hour of the party was the best. After Frankel flashed past the post in a scintillating demonstration of his superiority, everything that followed was inevitably tamer. Not a let-down – a card that bangs in three Group Ones and the most significant two-year-old race of the season so far in quick succession could never be that – but less taxing on the heart-rate.

The greatest race-meeting in the world (yes, this may be H&H heresy but it’s better than Cheltenham – less call for thermal underwear) is shaped like a wave this year. The two peaks are Frankel on Tuesday and the mighty Black Caviar on the final day, Saturday.

The wonder from down under will have to go some to equal Frankel’s stunning effort – not that it appeared effortful at all. Will we ever see him stretched the max in a duel?

Black Caviar should be able to beat the opposition with just as much ease. Any prospect of a match between these two horses, rated the best in the world, has vanished, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

Yes, the point of horseracing is to find “the best”, but when two horses are so utterly different and would have to step so far out of their comfort zone to do battle, it seems better to celebrate the two champions without quibbling. How very lucky we are to have them at all, let alone racing in the same week at the same racecourse.

Black Caviar is a national heroine at home in Australia, feted like the top athlete she is. The coverage of Frankel’s Ascot performance unsurprisingly was drowned in the ocean that is the press’s obsession with our mediocre football team. Frankel does not dive, choke or “enhance” his performance with dubious substances. He is the supreme British athlete, and should be honoured as such.

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Frankel extended his unbeaten run to 11 this afternoon, taking the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Sir Henry Cecil-trained four-year-old won the 1m Group One by an impressive 11 lengthsin the opening race of the Royal meeting (Tuesday 19 June).

The son of Galileo, who is officially rated the best racehorse in the world, was sent off at 1-10 favourite.

He settled behind stablemate and pacemaker Bullet Train before taking the lead three furlongs from home.

Jockey Tom Queally described Frankel’s performance as “amazing”.

“It looks like he’s improving. He settled, he travelled.

“That’s his best performance. He ticked all the boxes, he did everything right. From my point of view he’s been flawless in the past but I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

“He looks like he’s getting better, I didn’t think it was possible but he is. He got a good lead off Bullet Train. Frankel is very professional – I couldn’t fault him.

“He’s an amazing horse – he has so much ability. He just wants to run straight and grab the bit. The biggest problem I had was pulling him up.”

Runner up was old rival Excelebration, trained by Aidan O’Brien, who has now finished second to Frankel four times. Andrew Balding’s Side Glance was third.

Sir Henry Cecil added: “It’s relief, I’m not surprised but relieved.

“He did exactly what I thought but he’s still improving, Tom said he’s still improving. He looks as if he’ll stay a mile and a quarter so we’ll leave our options open”

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Can wonder horse Frankel win his 11th consecutive race?

This afternoon (Tuesday 19 June) the Sir Henry Cecil-trained four-year-old will bid to continue his unbeaten run and win The Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Frankel, who is officially rated the best racehorse in the world, last ran at Newbury, when he won his sixth Group One race – the Lockinge Stakes (19 May).

It was his first start in 2012 after a three-year-old campaign that included a brilliant 2000 Guineas victory and further Group One triumphs in the St James’s Palace Stakes, the Sussex Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

The Queen Anne Stakes is the first race of the Royal meeting, and has 11 horses due to go to post. Frankel will be up against Lockinge runner up Excelebration, trained by Aidan O’Brien, as well as the Charlie Hills-trained Red Jazz and Richard Hannon’s Strong Suit.

The son of Galileo is expected to go off at 1-6.

Trainer Sir Henry Cecil, who has won a record 73 races at Royal Ascot, told At The Races: “He’s in good order and there are no excuses. You always feel nerves with horses like that, he has a great following and you don’t want to let anyone down. I’m very proud of what he’s achieved, we’re lucky to have him and I hope to continue where we left off.”

Watch the one-mile Group One Queen Anne Stakes on BBC One at 2.30pm.

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It may sound odd, but I love seeing horses relax in the sunshine-drenched paddocks. The time they get to visit “Dr Green” is of the utmost importance and a vital part of their season ahead. I always feel for the poor Flat horses, as their holiday period is freezing winter with no good grass, whereas the jumpers get to unwind mentally and physically in the sunshine with lush grass.

While all these equine machines are recharging their batteries, the one machine that works overtime is the steam cleaner. This was one of my earliest purchases as cleanliness and hygiene is paramount. Those who know me will testify that I like a neat and clean atmosphere in which to work. The Karcher cleaner was bought at a bargain price, is big and scopey and – although it drinks fuel – you can turn it off and shut it away. I bet you never thought you would hear a steam cleaner likened to a horse.

As the stars of the jumps season temporarily fade into the galaxy, the Flat astronomers had predicted great things from their side of the stratosphere, and goodness me they were right. Over the past week, Black Caviar, I’ll Have Another and Frankel have been the asteroids that obliterated their counterparts.

John Francome pointed out that watching Black Caviar’s victories is rather like groundhog day as they all seem visually similar and on similar tracks. It will be interesting to see how she takes to the British racecourses.

I am loving the banter and claim-staking as to who is “the greatest”. Officially it is Frankel, but the Aussies take pride in their sporting heros and will not let that apparent error of judgement lie.

And on the subject of Frankel, it did amaze me how hollow I felt when his career was apparently hanging in the balance, as this horse promises so much and continually delivers. It only dawned on me how much he is needed when he had his “racecourse gallop” in the JLT Lockinge stakes at Newbury. Joni Mitchell was spot on, as no one really does know what they have got until it’s gone, and it’s much easier to appreciate the past than realise what you have in the present.

What I also find fascinating is Coolmore’s role in this story. They have not only got an exceptional horse in Excelebration and will do their best to topple the extra- (not sure what comes after exceptional) exceptional Frankel, but they also have rescued the breeding industry from dying with new fashions. I am sorry to say that this once again brings in our Australian cousins that I keep on banging on about.

Coolmore purchased Frankel’s damsire Danehill from none other than his owner breeder Khalid Abdulla, and turned this very useful sprinter but non-staying miler into a sire sensation.

It was key that he started his career in the southern hemisphere. As a sire he was far more dynamic than as a racehorse and, as I said before, the Aussies are the ones who train horses, not for certain trips, but as animals who can run at a high speed over what ever trip you want. So Danehill wasn’t cast as a sire of sprinters but of good speed horses. It was only later that Europe began to appreciate Danehill and he sired Derby winners and Ascot Gold Cup winners over much further than he was ever effective himself.

Furthermore, there was a time when the commercial appreciation of a Derby winner as a stallion came into question. Italian breeder Frederico Tesio had already outlined how our industry was based around Epsom’s winning post, but this became old-fashioned as Derby winners came and went as racehorses and sires. This was because people seemed to want to breed for speed.

What John Magnier and co at Coolmore have done is reaffirm Tesio’s statement by producing the best Derby-winning sire seen for many a year. Galileo was a beautifully actioned racehorse who only ran once at two but who carried all before him at three.

They say that it is important for Derby winners to drop back to a mile and quarter after their Epsom triumph for commercial stud value (like High Chaparral, Authorized and Sea The Stars), but Galileo never won again after his famous King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes victory over Fantastic Light at Ascot.

No one knew that his dam Urban Sea would go on to produce perhaps the greatest all-round performer of recent times in Sea The Stars, but Galileo had already cast his galaxy of stars and the one he has produced in Frankel is certainly one that shines brightly in any era.

Galileo is still relatively young for a sire to have had so many class performers and on all levels. Derby winners will come his way – remembering that he himself ended Sadler’s Wells’ Derby hoodoo. Galileo is the best stallion in the world and, although he was no dirt performer himself, who knows whether he may produce a Kentucky Derby winner. It was his sire Sadler’s Wells that produced dirt sire sensation El Prado.

As Coolmore continues to reaffirm the old ways, then who is to say that they won’t let Camelot bid for immortality with a Triple Crown bid? According to many this is no longer the ultimate test of the thoroughbred, but is, in breeding-speak, as dead as the Latin language.

In the USA they will not settle for Meat Loaf’s assurance “two out of three ain’t bad” as I’ll Have Another has surprised me by winning the second leg of the Triple Crown – the Preakness at Pimlico. A racing nation will hold its breath until a week on Saturday when he bids for immortality in New York where so many have failed. Of the three races, the Belmont Stakes is the one that I would have thought would suit this horse most – so you never know…

Symonds family update

As racing lives in hope of finding new champions and being continually awed by the current ones, I know that certain establishments have lost their star students and governors, with my sister Lydia completing her time at Trinity College Dublin and my father temporarily away from the helm of the farm with knee replacements. Dublin has lost someone of many talents and a dynamic that stretches from the bars of Temple Bar to the libraries and lecture halls, while I have been temporarily left without a father and, more importantly… a gardener!

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Frankel, Britain’s most famous racehorse, won the Group One JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury today in scintillating style to remain unbeaten in all his 10 starts.

The Sir Henry Cecil-trained four-year-old saw off his old rival Excelebration comfortably, winning by five lengths with a further four lengths back to Dubawi Gold.

Jockey Tom Queally tracked Bullet Train, Frankel’s pacemaker and three-parts brother, until over a furlong out. Frankel responded immediately when Queally pressed him and stretched away impressively.

It was his first start in 2012 after a three-year-old campaign that included a brilliant 2000 Guineas victory and further Group One triumphs in the St James’s Palace Stakes, the Sussex Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

The son of Galileo, bred by his owner Khalid Abdulla, will have his next outing at Royal Ascot, where he has the choice of staying at a mile in the Queen Anne Stakes or stepping up to a mile and a quarter for the first time in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

Queally said: “It’s a great relief he’s come back – I know he had a little scare a while back. It’s great for everyone he belongs to racing.

“He showed that burst of acceleration and he’s not like anything I’ve sat on. He’s grown up, he’s thicker set – look at him now, he’s the real deal.”

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Frankel – the world’s highest rated horse – will make his seasonal debut tomorrow (Saturday, 19 May) at Newbury, aiming for his 10th consecutive victory.

The unbeaten four-year-old, will race in the Group One Lockinge Stakes over a mile. He is short-priced favourite to make a victorious return to the track.

Sir Henry Cecil, who trains the Galileo colt, is delighted that his owner, Prince Khalid Abdullah, has decided to race the horse for another season.

He said: “I’m glad because I think he’s a stronger horse now and hopefully he will be even better.

“If you have a horse of that calibre, they don’t come along like that every day and they don’t grow on trees.

“It’s nice to actually see his full potential and the prince has taken that chance.”

In April this year there were fears that Frankel would never race again, following rumours that a leg injury on the gallops would force him into early retirement. Fortunately after a thorough examination it transpired that the injury was only superficial.

Sir Henry is confident that the injury will not inhibit Frankel’s future performance.

“It shouldn’t recur, it’s fine,” he said. “It was just a hiccup you don’t want.”

Prince Abdullah’s racing manager, Teddy Grimthorpe, feels that Frankel must be at his best to triumph tomorrow.

He said: “Hopefully he’ll bring his A-game to the table. You either bring your best or you don’t bother at all.”

“What we want to see is a good, solid performance and this is obviously the first stepping-stone on what we hope will be a very good year.

“His style is his own and we are all very conscious that we have something pretty extraordinary on our hands.”

Trying to deny Frankel his 10th success are two entries from the Aidan O’Brien stable, one of which is Excelebration, who finished four lengths behind Frankel in the Queen Elizabeth II stakes at Ascot last October, when trained by Marco Botti.

Frankel has won three other Group Ones – the 2000 Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes and Sussex Stakes in 2011.

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Racing is drawing in record crowds – with more than 6.15million visits to courses last year.

For the third year running, the number of people going racing across the country has risen, with the 6m mark being reached in 2011 for the first time since 2004.

And last year’s total is the highest figure since records were started in 1955.

But although numbers attending Flat racing rose, gates at National Hunt fixtures fell by more than 3%.

A spokesman for the Racecourse Association (RCA) told H&H this could be attributed to bad weather forcing the cancellation of fixtures or putting punters off.

“To break the record is fantastic,” said Stephen Atkin of the RCA.

“Financially, it is a very difficult time so it is a vindication of the exemplary work being done on Britain’s racecourses.”

The newly formed QIPCO British Champions Series proved a hit, culminating with QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot in October.

Boosted by the appearance of super colt Frankel, the series attracted more than 26,000 racegoers to the course.

Racing for Change hosted a free racing month in April and non-racing fans were attracted by a host of post-racing concerts.

But this begs the question: are these repeat customers or just one-offs who weren’t really there to see the horses?

“The latest figures were helped by good weather, but the racecourses have also been promoting the sport very effectively and we hope our efforts are also making an important contribution,” said Rod Street from Racing for Change.

“The ‘Free Racing Month’ brought an additional 63,000 people through the turnstiles, over half of whom were new to the sport or infrequent racegoers.

“Our research showed that over 80 per cent of them intend to come again.”

Julie Harding, editor of H&H’s sister title Eventing, went to Shergar Cup day at Ascot, which hosted a 1980s concert featuring Jason Donovan and Paul Young in the evening.

“It was a birthday present for my husband – we paid only £35 each premier admission and our four children went free,” she said.

“I think other sports could learn such a lot from what racing is doing in terms of family entertainment. It was packed, but an amazing and friendly atmosphere.

“We are all really keen to go back again this year.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (2 February 2012)

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Frankel crowned himself king of the inaugural QIPCO British Champions Day on Saturday (15 October) winning the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes by four lengths.

Sir Henry Cecil’s superstar colt, owned by Khaild Abdullah, was sent off 4-11 favourite and beat Excelebration, ridden by Jamie Spencer, in front of a crowd of 26,700 at Ascot racecourse.

“I’m very, very happy,” said Sir Henry. “He’s a very good horse and was very relaxed. He did everything we asked of him.”

Frankel has now won four Group Ones – having already won the 2000 Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes and Sussex Stakes this year. And Sir Henry confirmed he will be campaigning next year over a mile and a quarter as a four-year-old.

With total prize money of £3m Saturday was the richest raceday in British history. British Champions Series chief executive Rod Street told H&H it was a “resounding success”.

“For the racegoer it was an ‘I was there’ day. We could not have wished for better,” he said.

For more see the next issue of H&H – out on Thursday (20 October)

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Racing fans are gearing up for what’s being billed as the race of the century.

The Group One Sussex Stakes — aka the “Duel on the Downs” — will be staged at Goodwood at 3.10pm today (27 July) when the world’s top two-milers, Frankel (pictured) and Canford Cliffs, will do battle. Hype surrounding the race has boosted ticket sales by 20%.

Frankel, trained by Sir Henry Cecil, is the world’s top-rated three-year-old and remains unbeaten after seven starts.

Canford Cliffs, a year older and winner of five Group Ones, took this race last year.

Visit: www.goodwood.co.uk/horse-racing

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (21 July, 2011)

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The brilliant Frankel won the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot today to stretch his unbeaten record to seven — but it was a close-run thing.

The 2000 Guineas winner only held off the fast-finishing Zoffany by three-quarters of a length, having stormed several lengths clear with a dazzling burst of acceleration round the home turn. Frankel looked to fade under Tom Queally and Ryan Moore drove Zoffany towards him, but the finishing post came in time to give Frankel his third Group One success.

His trainer, the soon-to-be-knighted Henry Cecil, said: “He settled really well — very, very well. The pacemaker went off quite fast and he was very, very settled and he [Tom Queally] had to ask him to take it up and he said when he was in front he thought he’d done enough.

“Tom said he was very settled and we can ride him properly now. The plan was to go before the bend like the Royal Lodge [which Frankel won at Ascot last autumn]. In the Royal Lodge the further he went the better he was, but he’s getting older and wiser now and he thought he’d done enough and was getting a bit bored.”

Canford beats Goldikova

Earlier, Richard Hughes rode Canford Cliffs to beat Goldikova in the Queen Anne Stakes. The Richard Hannon-trained Canford Cliffs has now won at Royal Ascot for three years in succession. He took the Coventry Stakes as a two-year-old, the St James’s Palace Stakes as a three-year-old last year and now the Group One for older milers.

“He’s very special to us — these sorts of horses don’t come around everyday,” said Richard Hannon. “He’s got a real old cruising speed and can also quicken.”

Goldikova, the French mare whose victory in this race at last year’s Royal meeting was the most popular of the week, just went down by a length after a great battle. Her jockey, Olivier Peslier, was carrying one pound overweight when he weighed out and a further pound overweight when he weighed in again — and was fined £650 for changing his equipment after initially weighing out.

British sprinter beats the best from overseas

Prohibit gave trainer Robert Cowell a first Group One win in the King’s Stand Stakes. The six-year-old son of Oasis Dream had never won about Listed level before. Ridden by Jim Crowley, Prohibit beat the Australian sprinter Star Witness by half a length, with the Hong Kong-based Sweet Sanette third, just ahead of Hungary’s popular representative Overdose.

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This past week has been one of royal prowess. Our second in line to the throne married his long-term girlfriend Miss Middleton, now HRH The Duchess of Cambridge.

Meanwhile racing’s royalty, Henry Cecil, produced Frankel, named after the late king of the American game, Bobby Frankel, to win, or should one say annihilate the opposition, in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas for Prince Khalid Abdullah. And not to be outdone His Highness Sheikh Mohammed won the QIPCO 1000 Guineas with Blue Bunting. One might say the weekend was a right royal affair.

Proud to have visitors

With a second bank holiday in succession and the Guineas Meeting at Newmarket taking place, I was inundated with owners and friends coming to look at the yard and its inmates. Hopefully, all were duly impressed!

In a strange sort of way I quite enjoy people coming to the yard for I am definitely guilty of one of the seven sins. I am extremely proud of the yard, its inmates and my staff. The latter have to be praised for surviving the onslaught of onlookers.

I did manage, on both days, to get the time to go to the races and enjoy the class of horse and see some old friends. An amusing highlight racing was my father’s suit going up in smoke. He smokes a pipe and often keeps it in his pocket. This time he had failed to make sure he had fully smoked it. On putting it into his pocket it started to smoulder and he only noticed when the pipe dropped to the ground, having burnt its way through the cloth!

Windsor — and the air ambulance

Monday was a very long day. We had Rich And Reckless running at Windsor, with a large number of the partnership in attendance. It was also a very big day for a young apprentice, Tim Clark, who was having his first ride in this country in public. I had borrowed this boy from my mentor Sir Mark Prescott. Things did not go quite as planned. The filly jumped rather high as she came out the stalls and, as it turns out, smashed poor Tim in the face. This only came into light after he came back after the race and was unable to pass any information to the owners or me.

He was apprehended by the doctor on entering the weighing room, where they acted very fast in diagnosing a head injury and summoning the air ambulance. Little Tim was not in the best of shape. What the hell was I going to tell Sir Mark, never mind his mother?

The least I could do was stay with him, and make sure he would see the light of day. On taking off in the ambulance we were re-routed to Oxford, apparently better for head traumas, but not so good to get home to Newmarket from!

Tim came out of a semi-conscious state, and I left him with my coat, and a little money. All he had was his breeches and a T-shirt!

He’s back home now, but will have to pass a concussion test before he can resume riding. Sir Mark was surprisingly good about it, just remarking that it was a day that Tim would never forget…

So You Think is so exciting

Monday also saw the return of a world superstar in the form of So You Think, previously trained by Bart Cummings, and in my view (I probably will be stoned for saying it) is a better horse than Frankel. I am one of the lucky few to have seen both in the flesh. He barely came out of a canter to win a Group Three by 10 lengths for Aidan O’Brien. This season really does have the making of something special — I can hardly wait.

As for my horses I am very excited. We may not hit the ground running so to speak, but I have no fear that we have some with a little ability. A favourite of mine, a Zamindar colt called Lycidas, returned from a little break today. He is a horse who is an honour to train, in both type and breeding.

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Frankel put up an astonishing performance to win the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket today. The Henry Cecil-trained colt went to the front as soon as he broke from the stalls and stayed there, making all the running to take the first Classic of the season by six lengths.

Frankel drew further and further ahead of the other 12 Guineas runners – he was at least a dozen lengths in front at one stage – and just idled a touch when unchallenged in the final furlong, allowing Dubawi Gold, trained by Richard Hannon, to fight into second six lengths behind him at 33-1. It was one of the most brilliant performances ever seen in a Classic race.

Third by half a length was the Ed Dunlop-trained Native Khan, winner of the Craven Stakes here earlier in the month. It was a further 11 lengths back to the 200-1 shot Slim Shadey in fourth.

It gave Henry Cecil a 25th British Classic triumph. His first was Bolkonski in the 2000 Guineas in 1975. Frankel’s jockey, 26-year-old Tom Queally, was having his first ride in the race.

“He did it better than I ever thought he would,” said Queally. “The one thing that this horse can definitely do is gallop, and why take him back and prevent him from galloping? We’ll let him do what he enjoys doing but, by God, he showed them.”

Frankel, a son of Galileo out of the Danehill mare Kind, is owned and bred by Khalid Abdulla, who also won the 2000 Guineas with Known Fact, Dancing Brave and Zafonic. His latest Classic winner – his 11th in Britain – was named after the great American trainer Bobby Frankel, who trained the Saudi prince’s horse in the United States and who died of leukemia in November 2009.

After remaining unbeaten in his five previous races, including last year’s Group One Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, Frankel started odds-on at 1-2. Connections have stated that they will see how he comes out of the race before deciding on a next aim – he is entered in the Dante Stakes at York, traditionally the most significant Derby trial. The dramatic speed and acceleration he showed today may mean that the extra half-mile of the Derby is beyond him, in which case the St James’s Palace Stakes over a mile at Royal Ascot would be the natural target.

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It has been quite some time since my last article and a lot has gone on. The jump season drew to a close recently. The Flat season is in full flow with the superstars, Frankel and the southern hemisphere monster that is So You Think, among others that will fill the eyes of any questioning public.

Keyaza came out of her race at Huntingdon well. Just before her start at Aintree she gained a new owner in partnership with Sam Hoskins. The race did not go according to plan but she was running on well at the end and came home safely, so one hopes there is a bright future for this somewhat late-flowering bloom. She has now gone for a well-deserved three-month holiday down in Dorset.

The yard has also come on in leaps and bounds. Both the lunge pit and the sand pit have now been finished and have been put to good use. There is nothing better than allowing a horse to have a really good roll when returning from exercise. It does as good a job, if not better, than any chiropractor and they love it. The paddocks have been de-nettled and cut, leaving some short, lush grass, which is a rare sight at the moment.

Like most of the country, Newmarket is desperate for some rain. We have had just over 4mm since 16 January. Thankfully, it is not just me who is waiting for the rain, everybody is in the same boat.

Brent Pelham, after showing some promise in his first run by coming second behind a good horse of Ed Dunlop’s, was disappointing in his second start. We have done some quite extensive diagnostic work to try to find the reason behind this disappointment. I hope to run him within the next couple of weeks and hope that he will show the same level of ability as he did on his first start. Time will tell.

Musical horses

Things do not change in that we are still playing musical horses. A couple of two-year-olds have gone out to the paddock to mature before returning for an autumn campaign.

A National Hunt filly has gone home as the ground has gone against us.

We picked up a two-year-old from the Breeze-Up sales at Newmarket and two three-year-old fillies arrived from Ireland. So the numbers are remaining roughly the same but the horses are continually changing. We are actually slowly but surely expanding in numbers, even though not all of them may be in the yard at any one time.

Lycidas, the two-year-old Zamindar colt, half-brother to Prix de l’Opera winner Lady Marian, is due back at the beginning of May after the Guineas Meeting. I visited him at the beginning of this month. He is looking fantastic and I am looking forward to his return, as it is an honour to train such a well-bred horse. One’s hopes and dreams are eternal.

Doncaster Sales took place last week and on the return journey I called in to see the horses which are residing with my parents. A couple are enjoying a break and Littlemisssunshine has been scanned at 42 days and is safely in foal to Sir Percy. All were looking well and happy and after demolishing my father’s birthday cake we returned to Newmarket.

My new Mistress

Training can be a lonely profession if living by oneself. A “mistress” is what was required. “Mistress”, a five-month-old hunt terrier, arrived one evening. She is great company and a firm favourite at the yard. She has become a constant companion, even accompanying me to Wolverhampton racecourse in the lorry!

I was slightly concerned when my vet announced that he would be running in the London Marathon. Would he come back in one piece? He has, despite his best efforts. He did the marathon wearing a Buzz Lightyear full body suit — absolute madness, but well done him!

This is quite an exciting time of year as we have worked the whole winter towards it. One just hopes that some of the hard work will pay off.

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