Frankel Frighteningly Phenomenal in Queen Anne Stakes 19/06/12
1 Frankel 1/10 Fav
2 Excelebration 5/1
3 Side Glance 33/1 11 ran Distances: 11l, nk, 1l
TIME 1m 37.85s (fast by 1.15s)
The world’s best racehorse Frankel put 11 lengths between himself and his 10 rivals to open Royal Ascot on a brilliant note as he stormed away with the Queen Anne Stakes.
Frankel racing-images.co.uk
Trainer Sir Henry Cecil itted the Galileo colt was still improving but felt that those watching - rather than himself - should assess the breathtaking performance.
“It’s a relief. Things have got to go right and no horse is a certainty. He is a great, great horse and you needn’t ask me about him - you have seen him for yourselves so everyone can form their own opinions. I prepared him as well as I could and he couldn’t have done any more so you be the judges,” said Cecil.
“I don’t understand the comparisons between different countries, generations and distances and how people say one horse is 1lb better than another. It’s double dutch to me. People have seen him and can judge for themselves.
“I’ve been lucky to have trained a lot of good horses like Wollow, Bolkinski, Bosra Sham and Kris and I have my view where they would have finished in a race together but people can decide themselves.
“It was a pretty good run at Newbury last time given he’d had 10 days off beforehand and he always improves for a run.
“This is very good for everybody and the horse has been a great help to me. He has a lot of followers and it would have been sad if he’d got beaten. People from outside racing have latched on to him. My staff have also been marvellous and this is a team effort, I just steer the ship and sail the boat.
“I think the horse enjoyed himself this afternoon and she will have said to himself that this has been a good day.”
Queen Anne Stakes (British Champions Series) (Group 1) (Str) Going: Good to Soft
EXCELEBRATION RUNNER-UP TO FRANKEL FOR A FOURTH TIME
Excelebration, who finished 11 lengths second in the Group One Queen Anne Stakes, was finishing behind Frankel for the fifth time in his career.
Excelebration’s trainer Aidan O’Brien, who described Frankel’s victory as “incredible”, said: “Excelebration has run a terrific race. He has a range of entries and when we get home we will sit down and decide where we go next.”
SIDE GLANCE CONTINUES IMPRESSIVE COURSE RECORD
Side Glance continued his excellent record over Ascot’s straight mile, finishing a neck behind Excelebration in third. The five-year-old has only finished out of the money once in seven starts at the course and trainer Andrew Balding is now aiming his charge towards British Champions Day back at Ascot in October.
Balding said: “I am delighted with Side Glance. He loves the course here and it’s good he has proved his run the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes last year was all wrong. If Frankel steps up in trip, we will probably come back here for another crack at that race in the autumn.
“We could go for the Summer Mile, but that is on the round course which he doesn’t like so much.”