Frankel - The Best Ever? Could Brigadier Gerard have taken him on?

Is Frankel the best ever Flat Race Horse the World has ever seen, or are we caught up in the moment?

I can be very certain of my answer. Whilst I am not the springiest of chickens, I can honestly say I have never seen a racehorse of this calibre; so comfortably able to dispose of top-class quality opposition with such aplomb, in my lifetime. 

I would be quite surprised if I were to witness something of this greatness ever again. Indeed, I would be truly blessed. Perhaps others may be considered better, from "before my time".

 I'm sure there are some staunch fans of Brigadier Gerard, Sea-Bird, Mill Reef, or more recently Dubai Millenium. 

Shergar would make many peoples top 10

Just over the past few years we have had the likes of Sea The Stars and  Harbinger but would either of those two or any of the others mentioned have got close to Frankel. And what might he have done had they?

Henry Cecil's superstar has been given an official rating of 140 for the run at York in the Juddmonte International 2012. 

The second time he has gained the rating to go with the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on his last appearance. He beat Fahhr 6 lengths at Goodwood and 7 at York. This is the first time any horse has been given an official rating of 140 twice, EVER!

The interesting thing is, could he be even better than he has showed? 

Yes we have seen him under pressure before when Zoffany got to within three-quarters of a length at Royal Ascot in the St James Palace Stakes in 2011. 

That was his 6th consecutive victory, 5th Group win, and Third Group 1. He hasn't looked back since, extending that run to a record breaking 13 consecutive victories, taking his Group 1 haul to ten!

What rating could he have achieved had he been pushed to fight for a win, or would indeed, that have found him rated down?

Since that St James Palace stakes win, he has not had a rival finish within 4 lengths and has won comfortably by 11 lengths from top, top class opponents.

To expand on how good his opposition is, and to dispel any thoughts that Frankel is around at a time when the opposition is not at it's strongest, or indeed that the better opposition has avoided him.

I have some figures to follow, that I admit to not checking but also have no reason to doubt the source.

The 62 rivals that Frankel has beaten so far in his career have the following winning records behind them..

• 18 Listed Race wins
• 32 Group 3's
• 39 Group 2's
• 45 Group 1's

Fascinating Frankel Fact - One of the most influential Sires in Thoroughbred History, "Northern Dancer", is both Frankels Grandsire on his Sires side, and Great Grandsire on his Dam's. 

It is quite well documented that Northern Dancer is also Great-Great-Grandsire to a certain Black Caviar! 

So is there another better than Frankel?

Timeform have finally given him a rating of 147 to surpass the annual record of 145 given to Sea Bird.