Sir Henry Cecil has declared himself “raring to go” for the new season after revealing how difficult he found it at times last summer to follow Frankel’s unbeaten career and fight illness at the same time.
Frankel retired with an unblemished 14 from 14 record and starts his new career as a stallion at Banstead Manor Stud just outside Newmarket this week at a fee of STG125,000 ($A191,102).
Cecil spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live Sport of his improving health after extensive treatment for cancer and confidence that Frankel will be a hit in his new life.
“The pressure’s off me now,” Cecil said.
“Frankel has a new career starting and it’s very exciting. As he’s so close it means I can go and see him.
“You never know (when horses go to stud) but he was such a terrific racehorse with so much ability you feel he’ll pass it to his offspring.
“It was a difficult year because I wasn’t well, I had a lot of treatment and everything.
“When you’re trying to work and you’ve got a horse of that calibre there’s a certain amount of pressure at being able to do it properly.
“I found it more pressure trying to be there for him when I wasn’t feeling very well.
“I’m picking up the whole time now, I had three and a half weeks doing nothing in Dubai.
“It was a lovely holiday. I’m getting my energy back, putting on weight and raring to go.”
