Frankel Confirms He's The Best Horse in the World

The British Horse Racing Authority's Handicapper stated that he “couldn’t see any way Frankel will not be rated the best horse in the world”  after his stunning performance when winning the Group One Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood on Wednesday. The Handicapper has an official rating of 134 or even 135 in mind for the three year old, who looks absolutely unbeatable over a mile and probably unbeatable over any distance between six and ten furlongs.

Sir Henry Cecil one of the most gifted and respected trainers of all time, had suggested beforehand to pundits that he believed that his Frankel would win the Sussex Stakes easily. He admitted respecting the talents of Canford Cliffs, who was expected by many pundits, to run him close or even beat him in the ‘Sussex’ but Cecil’s prediction proved uncannily accurate.

Frankel not only defeated Canford Cliffs, he destroyed the four year old with the Richard Hannon trained Colt never given a chance to even mount a challenge. Frankel's jockey, Tom Queally, clearly did not want to take up the running too early, but was forced to by the even greater reluctance of Richard Hughes on Canford Cliffs who was content to sit in behind Frankel in what became a slow first two furlongs.

At one point it appeared that Queally teased or even dared Hughes to get alongside, but as the gap slowly closed, Queally began to slowly press the accelerator and as he did so, Frankel began to quicken. By the time they were halfway Frankel looked assured and was getting quicker with every stride and by the time they were three out it became obvious that Canford Cliffs was struggling.

A few more shakes of the reins by Queally, took Frankel up to full speed and at around the two furling marker the pair went for home with no need to even look back. Canford Cliffs, who in fairness, was possibly not at his absolute best, simply could not live with the pace, his best efforts merely tired him forcing him to drift markedly to the other side of the track, where in the event he was fortunate to claim second from the fast finishing Rio De La Plata.

Frankel flew past the winning post five lengths clear much to the delight of a frenzied crowd but even more so to Cecil, who admitted in the immediate wake of the victory that not only does he think Frankel is the best horse he has ever trained, but that he is the best horse he has ever seen.

The three year old 2000 Guineas winner, looks set to take on ten furlongs for the first time in the Juddmonte International Stakes at the York Ebor meeting next month, with a potential Breeders Cup race in November to conclude his season. That said no decision has yet been made and he could even be rested for a while with the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in September over one mile becoming his next target.

If the latter becomes the case, then Richard Hannon, trainer of Canford Cliffs would undoubtedly take him on again. Hannon blamed Canford’s defeat more on the Goodwood track, rather than on his ability, he believes that the downhill section at Goodwood did not suit him, stating that his horse should have finished much closer.
Should the ‘International Stakes’ be chosen for Frankel’s next outing then that race would have the mouth watering prospect of pitching Frankel against the Aidan O’Brien ‘superstar’ So You Think, winner of the Coral Eclipse Stakes earlier this month and who is rated as the best ten furlong horse in the world, which would result in another mouth watering prospect for Horse Racing. fans in what is fast becoming a vintage year.