Top-level winner number 38 for Frankel as El Cordobes lands Sword Dancer Stakes

El Cordobes became the 38th individual top-flight winner for Frankel when leading home a one-two for the sire in the Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday. 

The Bjorn Nielsen-bred four-year-old collared Rebel Red, the John and Tanya Gunther-bred brother to St James's Palace Stakes winner Without Parole, by half a length. 

In doing so he became the sixth runner by Juddmonte's dual world champion to land Grade 1 honours in America, the others being Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf heroine Inspiral, last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf scorer Lake Victoria, Manhattan Stakes victor Measured Time, Belmont Oaks victress McKulick and Natalma Stakes winner Wild Beauty. 

Measured Time and Wild Beauty were both homebred winners for Godolphin, while El Cordobes was a two million guineas purchase by Richard Knight at Tattersalls Book 1 when offered by Watership Down Stud. 

The gelding is bred on the same Frankel-Sea The Stars cross as Grand Prix de Paris winner and Irish Champion Stakes second Onesto and Royal Ascot-winning brothers Mohaafeth and French Master. 

He is the fourth foal out of the multiple winner Bold Lass, a half-sister to Haydock Sprint Cup winner Tante Rose (by Barathea), as well as Listed Sweet Solera Stakes scorer Bay Tree (Daylami). Another half-sibling is Rosie's Posy, the dam of Poule d'Essai des Poulains and Prix de la Foret winner Make Believe, now a top-level-winning sire for Ballylinch Stud. 

Bold Lass produced a winning sister to El Cordobes named Venus Rosewater and is also responsible for the Listed-placed Amniarix, a daughter of Speightstown. Bold Lass has a two-year-old filly by Camelot named Elida's Angel and foaled a Ghaiyyath colt this year. 

El Cordobes, who captured his first black-type success in the Group 2 Princess Of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket last month, is one of four individual Group/Grade 1 winners for Frankel this year. The others include dual Oaks heroine Minnie Hauk, Irish 1,000 Guineas scorer Lake Victoria and Candelari, who struck in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier.

Read more

'You have to admire anyone who’s put their own money into the game' - Kerri Radcliffe opens up on the sales season 

Amo colt launches Space Blues' stallion career into orbit with first Group 1 success 

'The market is failing the long-term health of the breed' - Sons And Lovers showcases Rausing's cultivation of successful bloodlines