Sir Henry Cecil declared Frankel to be the greatest horse he had ever set eyes upon after his colt turned the much-publicised clash with Canford Cliffs into an almost hopeless mismatch in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.
Considering Cecil himself has enjoyed a nearly unparalleled training career, his assessment was still in keeping with the feeling of a wide-eyed audience who witnessed the extraordinary three-year-old quicken five lengths clear of a multiple Group One-winning miler.
This was not a replica of his remorseless frontrunning in the 2000 Guineas and although Frankel ended up leading the four-strong field by default, he was ridden more patiently and Tom Queally only popped the cork with just over a furlong (200m) left.
The Sussex, billed as the ‘duel on the Downs’, had been built up for weeks but even Frankel’s most fervent supporters would have been taken aback by the response of an animal who is starting to stretch the boundaries of possibility.
Canford Cliffs, a 7-4 shot against the 8-13 favourite, tracked Frankel and was just a length adrift before Queally made his move but was beaten within a handful of strides.
Last year’s winner then hung markedly left across the track and his shell-shocked trainer Richard Hannon was left scratching around for answers.
Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Frankel is now unbeaten in eight starts and was given a provisional rating of 132 as the best horse in the world by the British Horseracing Authority handicapper.
“I think it’s a facetious thing to say, but he’s the best I’ve ever seen,” Cecil, who at 68 has been champion trainer 10 times and has plundered virtually every race of consequence, said.
“I suppose the only ones I could compare would be Shergar and Blushing Groom at his best. I can’t go back to the days of Tudor Minstrel and match races, but he’s the best in my lifetime.”
Cecil, who looked nervous beforehand, was asked whether he was surprised by the display.
“It sounds awful, but no,” he replied.
“My job was done and it was a bit like going to the dentist’s beforehand, just waiting for it to be over.
“I did think he could win very easily, but I thought I’d let the horse do the talking.
“I do think the world of him, and I’ve got to thank the Prince and all those involved with him.
“He’s a much better horse now than earlier in the year, he’s still improving.
“He’s not as big as Canford Cliffs but he’s getting stronger. That horse is very good, so to beat him like that – hats off to Frankel.”
PA AAP TURF
