Four-Year-Old Frankel Going Strong

Fans are eager to see if the colt, trained by Henry Cecil, will live up to their expectations of etching his name in horseracing history as an all-time and unrivalled flat racing competitor. 2011 proved to be a fantastic year for Frankel, with his successes including victories at the Sussex Stakes, Glorious Goodwood, Ascot’s Champions Day and the prestigious 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Noting that Frankel has grown both mentally and physically, his trainer is convinced that he will perform even better than last year – something his competitors may not be pleased to hear. Cecil went on to say that he will be starting Frankel on the one-mile race, which will be an indicator as to whether he should run a mile or a mile-and-a-quarter at Royal Ascot, noting that Frankel would tell them what to do. Abdullah’s racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe confirmed this strategy, adding that Frankel may complete in the Eclipse and Juddmonte as well, after which further decisions will be made.

Owned by Khalid Abdullah, Frankel was the first equine athlete to be presented with the President’s Award at the Horserace Writers and Photographers’ Association Awards, in addition to being named Cartier 2011 horse of the year. Sir Henry Cecil won Flat trainer of the year and Khalid Abdullah was awarded owner of the year.

Foaled on 11 February 2008, Frankel was bred by Juddmonte Farms and is named after legendary trainer Bobby Frankel. Following his win in October 2011 in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, Timeform gave the thoroughbred colt a rating of 143, being the 4th highest mark awarded in the publication’s history, after Sea Bird, Brigadier Gerard and Tudor Minstrel. Frankel’s most memorable performance to-date was his win in the 2000 Guiness at Newmarket in April 2011. Frankel will complete his run as a four-year old, after which it is likely he will be put out to stud.