Superstar Frankel equals highest ever RPR in QEII

Report: Ascot, Saturday

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Sponsored by Qipco (British Champions Mile) (Group 1) 3yo+

FRANKEL confirmed his brilliance with another top-class display at Ascot to stretch his unbeaten run to nine and in the process matched the highest Racing Post Rating on record.

 

A provisional RPR of 139+ has been awarded to Frankel, matching Dubai Millennium's 2000 Dubai World Cup romp as the highest recorded since RPRs began.

On grass Frankel is now out on his own after surpassing the previous best of 138, achieved by both Daylami and Sea The Stars.

Saturday's wide-margin Group 1 success left the impression that there could be a bigger figure in Frankel's locker granted sufficiently strong competition and pace. If he proves as effective at 1m2f next year, as Sir Henry Cecil believes, he could be setting new benchmarks given the strength in depth in that division.

Despite finishing a four length runner-up, Excelebration returned a mark of 129 - bettered only by Canford Cliffs, Rewilding and Frankel - a mark good enough to have won all bar two of the previous ten renewals of the race.

The draw of the world's highest rated horse was reflected in the attendance of 26,749, much to the delight of the Ascot officials.

Course spokesman Nick Smith said: "We are definitely happy with the crowd. Our target was 25,000 and we have beat that. For next year we'll aim for 30,000, which is our capacity without using temporary facilities. We'll take it one step at a time."

Frankel was sent off the 4-11 favourite despite four Group 1 winners being among the seven taking him on and they proved to be no match for him as he shot clear of them in the closing stages of the race.

Excelebration, who had won both of his races since finishing third behind Frankel in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot filled second spot at 6-1, with another three and a half lengths back to Immortal Verse who finished third at 7-1.  

Frankel's stablemate Bullet Train shot off at a breakneck pace under Ian Mongan with Tom Queally settling a relaxed Frankel near the back.

The son of Galileo was not in an unfamiliar position for long though and moved up into second with just the hare in front of him with more than five furlongs to go.

With more than a quarter of the race remaining he had moved to the head of affairs and he sauntered home under Queally to give Sir Henry Cecil a first win in the race since he wassuccessful with Kris in 1979.        

Queally, who has ridden Frankel in all of his races, which now include five at the highest level said: "He's getting more professional with every run. Ian did a good job in front and he's grown up enough now to know he doesn't have to blitz the others, he waited for me to say go and he was just electric."

Reflecting on what it has been like to be associated with one of the all-time greats Queally continued: "I'm terribly, terribly lucky, it's a privilege to be on him, there is pressure, but I don't feel it, I'd like to think I handle it well but there's a hype with this horse that there is with no other."

Ascot's often reserved crowd did not hold back in showing their appreciation for Frankel and the ever-popular Cecil who sent Frankel on a lap of honour around the parade ring after the presentation was complete.

Cecil said: "He's a very, very good horse. He's done everything I've ever asked. I think a mile and a quarter next year will be easily within him. We wanted him to do enough to win. It's a very nice day."

Owner Khalid Abdullah, whose big winners include the legendary Dancing Brave added: "I'm very lucky to own such a wonderful horse. I hope we can do the same next year."

Marco Botti, trainer of Excelebration said: "We have to be proudof Excelebration, he tried his best but was second to a great horse. The winner was the best horse and it was no disgrace to be second and it was over three lengths back to third."

Immortal Verse had not had the best of build upsbut her trainer Robert Collet was not blaming that for her defeat. He said: "For 11 days before the race the filly has to be led in hand so her preparation didn't go to plan as she was missing a bit of work. Frankel won the race so easily that even if we had been 100 per cent we would not have won."