FRANKEL CEMENTED HIS position as flat racing’s undisputed superstar on Wednesday afternoon, blowing away a classy Group 1 field to take the Juddmonte International Stakes.
It was a 13th straight victory for Henry Cecil’s wonderhorse who made a mockery of concerns about his ability to stay 10 furlongs, winning by seven lengths.
Godolphin colt Farrh (10/1) finished second, a nose ahead of St Nicholas Abbey racing in the colours of Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle.
The afternoon belonged to Frankel, sent off a sizzling hot 1/10 favourite despite the fact that it was his first time stepping up over a mile.
The spectre of another great British racehorse hung over the afternoon as the crowds packed into the York track. The debut running of the International Stakes, 40 years ago in 1972, was the only race which the legendary Brigadier Gerard lost in 18 appearances.
There was to be no repeat today. Racing on the rail, jockey Tom Queally let the four-year-old loose as they approached the two-furlong post and Frankel strode clear for his eighth Group 1 win.
“I suspected they’d go a good gallop, but we had our plan in place,” Queally told the BBC afterwards. “It panned out nicely — he won ever so well. It’s a fantastic training performance.”
Watch the full race here and Tom Quelly’s post-race interview below:
YouTube credit: RUKTV1
