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

Is Frankel the best ever Flat Race Horse the World has ever seen.. Whilst I am not the springiest of chickens, I can honestly say I have never seen better.
Frankel - The Best Ever? Could Brigadier Gerard have taken him on?
Steve Madgwick
Steve Madgwick Editor-In-Chief

Editor-In-Chief with 20 years experience covering the betting angles to breaking news stories. Daily slots player, Portsmouth fan and League Snooker Player

Is Frankel the best ever Flat Race Horse the World has ever seen?

I can be very sure 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. 

Independent / Alamy Stock Photo

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

Group 1 Races
Frankel won ten Group 1 races including the 2000 Guineas.

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 ten.

Historically, we have had the likes of Sea The Stars and  Harbinger, but would either of those two or any of the others mentioned have gotten close to Frankel? And what might he have done had they?

Margin of Victory
Frankel over his 14 race career averaged a winning distance of 5.4 lengths. The superstar horse's closest race was his first when he edged out Nathanial, who was trained by John Gosden, by 1/2 of a length at Newmarket.

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

The second time he has gained the rating to go with the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on his last appearance. 

The Going
Frankel won on all types of ground a feat many horses cannot achieve. In his last two races he won the Juddmonte at York on Good to Firm and the Champions Stakes at Ascot on Soft.

He beat Farhh 6 lengths at Goodwood and seven at  York. This was the first time any horse has been given an official rating of 140 twice EVER!

FRANKEL GROUP 1 WINS
Champion Stakes
Juddmonte International Stakes
Sussex Stakes
Queen Anne Stakes
Lockinge Stakes
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
Sussex Stakes
St Jamess Palace Stakes
2000 Guineas
Dewhurst Stakes

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

That was his sixth consecutive victory, fifth Group win, and Third Group 1 win. He never looked back,, extending that run to a record-breaking 13 consecutive victories and taking his Group 1 haul to ten!

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

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 its strongest or, indeed, that the better opposition has avoided him.

Frankel Breeding
Frankel, one of the most influential Sires in Thoroughbred History, has left a unique legacy. His progeny, including the 2022 Prix De L'arc De Triomphe winner Alpinista and the four-time Group 1 winner Cracksman, stand as a testament to his exceptional quality.

Timeform Ratings

Timeform have given Frankel a rating of 147 to surpass the record of 145 given to Sea Bird.

Action Plus Sports Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Timeform RatingHorse
147Frankel
145Sea-Bird
144Brigadier Gerard, Tudor Minstrel
143Flightline
142Abernant, Ribot
141Mill Reef
140Dancing Brave, Dubai Millennium, Harbinger, Sea The Stars, Shergar, Vaguely Noble
139Arrogate, Generous, Pappa Fourway, Reference Point


Frankel Record

DATETRACKRESULTDISTANCEOROdds
20th Oct 2012Ascot1/61m2f1401.18 F
22nd Aug 2012York1/91m2½f1401.10 F
1st Aug 2012Goodwood1/41m1401.05 F
19th Jun 2012Ascot1/111m1381.10 F
19th May 2012Newbury1/61m1361.29 F
15th Oct 2011Ascot1/81m1351.36 F
27th Jul 2011Goodwood1/41m1301.62 F
14th Jun 2011Ascot1/91m1301.30 F
30th Apr 2011Newmarket1/131m1261.50 F
16th Apr 2011Newbury1/67f1261.25 F

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

That number of high class wins is a rare feat that we may never witness again. Those fortunate racing fans who saw the Henry Cecil-trained wonder horse in action can truly consider themselves blessed.

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