Cartier Awards - Results

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I meant to post this first thing this morning, as I had the embargoed results yesterday afternoon. Here is the press release that accompanied the results.

FRANKEL IS CARTIER HORSE OF THE YEAR AGAIN​

The amazing Frankel, one of the best racehorses if not the greatest ever, is tonight named Cartier Horse Of The Year for an unprecedented second successive time at the 2012 Cartier Racing Awards.

Owned and bred by Prince Khalid Abdulla and brilliantly trained by Sir Henry Cecil, four-year-old Frankel also takes the honours in the Cartier Older Horse category.

Sir Henry Cecil commented: "All of us at Warren Place are thrilled that Frankel's achievements this year have been recognised with him winning this most prestigious award for the second time running.

"Frankel with his brilliance has been a great ambassador for British Racing and has captured the hearts of so many people, some of whom have never been racing in their lives.

"Thank you Frankel and to everyone that has voted for him."

Unfortunately, Sir Henry Cecil is not well enough to attend tonight's Cartier Racing Awards.

There has only been one other dual Cartier Horse Of The Year and that was the great racemare Ouija Board, who gained the sought-after accolade in both 2004 and 2006. She won a total of four Cartier Awards.

Frankel, very unusually a champion in each of the three years he raced, has gone one better, with five Cartier Awards. In addition, there is the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit which this year has gone to Team Frankel. The award is for the person or persons who, in the opinion of the special 16-strong Cartier Jury, has/have done most for European racing and/or breeding either over their lifetime or within the past 12 months. Team Frankel includes all the people who contributed to the horse's development at Juddmonte Farms in Britain and Ireland plus those assembled by Sir Henry Cecil to train him.

The annual Cartier Racing Awards are announced for the 22nd year this evening (Tuesday, November 13, 2012) before an invited audience of 300 at the Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, Mayfair, London, England.

The Cartier Awards were established in 1991 to reward excellence in horseracing. They are determined by points earned by horses in Pattern races throughout 2012, combined at the end of season with the opinions of a panel of racing journalists and votes from readers of the Racing Post and The Daily Telegraph.

Frankel has finished his racing career after 14 unbeaten starts and last week (November 8) moved from Sir Henry Cecil's Warren Place stables, the horse's home since January 14, 2010, back to nearby Banstead Manor Stud, where he was born, in preparation for taking up stud duties early next year.

He was better than ever during 2012 and brilliant victories included the devastating 11-length win in the Group One Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and his imperious success when tried over 10 furlongs for the first time in the Group One Juddmonte International at York in August.

His final start came in Britain's most valuable race, the £1.3 million QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 20, when he was the comfortable scorer from the world's second-best horse, Cirrus Des Aigles, despite very soft going and a slow start. Frankel's earnings of nearly £3 million as a racehorse will be dwarfed by his stud career takings and he is now worth over £100 million as a stallion prospect.

In the Cartier Horse Of The Year category, Frankel triumphed over three-time Classic winner Camelot, Cirrus Des Aigles, Excelebration and Nathaniel. His rivals in the Cartier Older Horse category were again Cirrus Des Aigles, Excelebration and Nathaniel plus Moonlight Cloud.

Tremendous Australian racemare Black Caviar, unbeaten in 22 outings, takes the Cartier Sprinter Award, albeit narrowly from the Richard Fahey-trained Mayson, a talented and tough speedster who won the Group One Darley July Cup at Newmarket decisively, with Wizz Kid, Moonlight Cloud and another Australian mare Ortensia also in contention. Black Caviar, trained by Peter Moody, came over to Britain this year for the six-furlong Group One Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and looked like winning quite comfortably before her jockey Luke Nolen eased down in the closing stages and nearly gave the race away, holding on by a head.

Camelot always held sway for the Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt Award, with the Coolmore owned and Aidan O'Brien-trained colt winning three straight Classics - the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas, the Investec Derby and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby - before coming second in the Ladbrokes St Leger when attempting the British Triple Crown. He was followed by Saonais, Encke, Bayrir and Most Improved.

The Fugue has never finished out of the first four and a lack of luck contributed to the talented filly only winning one Group One this year, the Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes at Goodwood. She could easily have triumphed on her latest start in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf on November 2 but found her run blocked and also did not have the rub of the green in other races. Nevertheless, she did enough to gain the Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly Award for owner/breeders Lord & Lady Lloyd-Webber ahead of another John Gosden-trained filly Elusive Kate, Was, Shirocco Star and Beauty Parlour.

Dawn Approach went through his first season unbeaten in six outings and the Jim Bolger-trained colt is the winner in the Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt Award, seeing off fellow Group/Grade One winners Reckless Abandon, Olympic Glory, George Vancouver and Kingsbarns.

Another Godolphin-owned two-year-old Certify, trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni, also enjoyed an unblemished juvenile career and the four-time winner is the Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly, getting the nod over Sky Lantern, Rosdhu Queen, Flotilla and Silasol.

Colour Vision, also owned by Godolphin but trained by Saeed bin Suroor, takes the honours in the Cartier Stayer category after his Gold Cup victory at Royal Ascot. The others in contention were Times Up, Saddlers Rock, Opinion Poll and Rite Of Passage.

Harry Herbert, Cartier's racing consultant, commented: "Frankel lit up all our lives with his magnificent performances in 2012 and during the previous two years.

"He is the most successful horse in the 22-year history of the Cartier Racing Awards and that is no surprise given his domination of so many races.

"Sir Henry Cecil thinks there has never been a better racehorse and tonight we celebrate Frankel's achievements and those of the team behind him."

 

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2012 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS

Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Dawn Approach
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Certify
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Camelot
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: The Fugue
Cartier Sprinter: Black Caviar
Cartier Stayer: Colour Vision
Cartier Older Horse: Frankel
Cartier Horse of the Year: Frankel, owned by Prince Khalid Abdulla
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Team Frankel


Profiles of each horse to follow.

 

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Cartier Champion Two-Year-Old Colt
DAWN APPROACH (IRE)
2 ch c New Approach (IRE) - Hymn Of The Dawn (USA) (Phone Trick (USA))
2012 Form: 111111 Owner: Godolphin/Jackie Bolger
Trainer: Jim Bolger IRE Breeder: Jim Bolger​

Dawn Approach is from the first crop of New Approach, who was trained by Jim Bolger to win eight of his 11 starts including five Group One contests - the National Stakes (2007), Dubai Dewhurst Stakes (2007), Investec Derby (2008), Irish Champion Stakes (2008) and most impressively the Champion Stakes (2008) - and owned for most of his career by HRH Princess Haya of Jordan, Sheikh Mohammed's wife. Dawn Approach's dam, Hymn Of The Dawn, was also trained by Jim Bolger.

Dawn Approach made his first appearance early this year, recording a comfortable victory over five furlongs at the Curragh on March 25 by a length and three quarters from Canary Row. Next time out at Naas on May 16, he moved up to six furlongs and beat Canary Row again, this time powering right away to win by an impressive five and a half lengths.

A step up to Listed company was now on the agenda and Dawn Approach returned to Naas on June 4 to contest the Rochestown Stakes over six furlongs. He raced close to the pace as usual and came away in the final furlong to take the honours by two and three quarter lengths from Mister Marc, with subsequent Group One winner Pedro The Great back in fifth.

A further progression in class then beckoned with Dawn Approach making the trip across the Irish Sea to take part in the six-furlong Group Two Coventry Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot, June 19. Starting the 7/2 second favourite, Dawn Approach took a keen hold early before asserting in the final furlong to defeat subsequent Group One winner Olympic Glory by three quarters of a length.

Following his Royal Ascot victory, a 51 per cent share in Dawn Approach was purchased by Godolphin, whose founder and driving force is Sheikh Mohammed. The colt's first start in the famous blue silks came in the Group One Vincent O'Brien Stakes over seven furlongs at the Curragh on September 15, when he was the warm 2/5 favourite. Settled in third behind the runaway leader Flying The Flag, Dawn Approach gave his supporters little cause for concern as he powered away in the final furlong for a decisive four and three quarter length victory.

Dawn Approach made his second visit to Britain for his final start of 2012, to contest the Group One Dubai Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on Future Champions Day, October 13. Starting the 30/100 favourite, he defeated stable companion Leitir Mor in good style by two and three quarter lengths, with subsequent Grade One Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf victor George Vancouver a further three quarters of a length back in third.

Unbeaten in six starts, Dawn Approach is the highest-rated two-year-old colt in Europe. He will remain in training with Jim Bolger for the 2012 season and heads the betting market for 2013 QIPCO 2,000 Guineas, the mile colts' Classic staged at Newmarket on May 4. Dawn Approach has been partnered by Kevin Manning, Bolger's son-in-law, in all his races.

 

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Cartier Champion Two-Year-Old Filly
CERTIFY (USA)
2 b f Elusive Quality (USA) - Please Sign In (USA) (Doc's Leader (USA))
2012 form: 1111 Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Mahmood Al Zarooni Breeder: Hurstland Farm Inc et al​

Certify has established herself as the leading juvenile filly of her generation with four successes from as many starts in 2012.

The daughter of Elusive Quality is a half-sister to US Grade One winner Cry And Catch Me and was purchased by Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock advisor John Ferguson at the 2011 Keeneland September Sale for US$80,000.

The Mahmood Al Zarooni-trained filly surprised her trainer with an impressive three-length win at Newmarket on her July 12 debut, quickening up smartly in the soft ground to take a six-furlong maiden going away under Mickael Barzalona.

All eyes were on Certify in the seven-furlong Group Three German-Thoroughbred.com Sweet Solera Stakes back on the July Course at Newmarket on August 11, as she attempted to give her owner Godolphin a third consecutive victory in the race.

Following a slow start, she travelled enthusiastically in the hands of Mickael Barzalona and only needed to be pushed out for a cosy length success over subsequent Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes heroine Sky Lantern.

She again stepped up in class and trip for the mile Group Two Barrett Steel May Hill Stakes at Doncaster on September 14, but was made to work harder than expected by the William Muir-trained Purr Along, prevailing by a head with the pair well clear.

A return to Newmarket, but this time on the Rowley Mile rather than the July Course, for the Group One Shadwell Fillies' Mile two weeks later saw Certify produce her most taking performance with an impressive four and a half length triumph over the highly-regarded Roz, despite showing still signs of inexperience.

A perfect juvenile campaign has ensured Certify heads into next spring at the top of the betting market for both the British fillies' Classics next year, the mile QIPCO 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket and the 12-furlong Investec Oaks at Epsom Downs.

 

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Cartier Champion Three-Year-Old Colt
CAMELOT (GB)
3 b c Montjeu (IRE) - Tarfah (USA) (Kingmambo (USA))
2012 Form: -11127 Owners: Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien IRE Breeder: Sheikh Abdulla bin Isa Al-Khalifa​

Camelot was born and raised at Highclere Stud, having been bred by Sheikh Abdulla bin Isa Al-Khalifa, who has been a client of the Berkshire, England farm for around 25 years. Sheikh Abdulla bred and raced Camelot's dam Tarfah, who was trained by Gerard Butler to win the Group Three Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket in 2005.

Camelot was sold at the 2009 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in Newmarket, where he was bought for 525,000 guineas (a guinea is £1.05) by Coolmore, with Paul Cole, acting for Dr Jim Hay, the underbidder, and sent to be trained by Ireland's champion trainer Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle in County Tipperary.

The son of Montjeu was at the forefront of the 2012 Classics' betting even before he made his debut at Leopardstown, Ireland, on July 14 last year, when justifying 1/3 favouritism to win a mile maiden by two lengths. His second start, when stepped up sharply in class across the Irish Sea, resulted in an impressive victory in the Group One Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster by two and a quarter lengths on October 22, 2011.

He made a winning reappearance in the first British Classic of 2012, the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 5 when sent off the 15/8 favourite. He was held up off the pace before making stealthy headway entering the final quarter mile and hit the front inside the final furlong, repelling the challenge of French Fifteen by a neck. That success provided Montjeu with his first Classic winner over a mile and marked Camelot as a colt of the highest quality.

Camelot continued to justify his trainer's regard for him with an impressive five-length victory in the Investec Derby over 12 furlongs at Epsom Downs on June 2, sweeping from the rear of the field to win eased down. He became the second horse since Nashwan in 1989 to complete the 2,000 Guineas/Derby double after Sea The Stars in 2009.

He extended his unbeaten record to five under Joseph O'Brien with a gutsy two-length success in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on very soft ground at the Curragh on June 30.

Connections subsequently took the decision to try and become the first Triple Crown winner since Nijinsky in 1970 by aiming him at final British Classic of the season, the Ladbrokes St Leger, over one mile, six furlongs and 132 yards at Doncaster on September 15.

Camelot lost out narrowly to Encke, going down by three quarters of a length, after the winner dashed to front with over a furlong remaining. The 2/5 favourite, who did not get the clearest of runs, kept on well in the final furlong.

He made one more appearance in 2012, finishing seventh on heavy ground in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, back over 12 furlongs at Longchamp, France on October 7. The colt is likely to remain in training next year after recovering well from colic surgery a few days later.

 

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Cartier Champion Three-Year-Old Filly
THE FUGUE (GB)
3 br f Dansili - Twyla Tharp (IRE) (Sadler's Wells (USA))
2012 Form: 4132123 Owner: Watership Down Stud
Trainer: John Gosden Breeder: Watership Down Stud​

The 10-year-old mare Sumoto, then dam of Group One winners Summoner and Compton Admiral, may not have been cheap when bought by Lord and Lady Lloyd-Webber from Jim Furlong for 920,000 guineas (a guinea is £1.05) at Tattersalls in December, 2000, but her influence continues to be felt.

Her daughter Twyla Tharp, named by Lord Lloyd-Webber after the American choreographer and dancer, was beaten a short-head in the 2005 Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes at York, while her granddaughter The Fugue has scaled even greater heights.

The Fugue, who is named after one of Tharp's productions, was an easy winner on her only start at two, taking a seven-furlong Newmarket maiden on October 29, 2011.

She was pitched in at the deep end on her seasonal debut this year in the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket but performed with great credit in the mile Classic, finishing fourth to runaway winner Homecoming Queen despite being struck into.

She booked her ticket to the other British fillies' Classic, the Investec Oaks, with an impressive four and a half length success in the Group Three Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York over an extended 10 furlongs on May 16.

The Fugue was hampered over a mile from home at Epsom Downs in the 12-furlong Classic on June 1 and dropped back to ninth. To her credit, the Dansili filly kept on gamely take third behind Was in the closing stages, when beaten three quarters of a length.

She found the ground too soft at Royal Ascot when second in the Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes on June 21 before dropping back down to 10 furlongs for a deserved victory against all-aged opposition in the Group One Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood on August 4.

She stepped back up to 12 furlongs for Darley Yorkshire Oaks at York on August 23 and ran a fine race, just getting caught by a neck by Shareta after hitting the front with a furlong remaining.

The Fugue headed to Santa Anita Park, USA, where she ended the campaign by taking a close third in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf on November 2 after encountering trouble in running and looked very unlucky.

The filly is set to remain in training as a four-year-old.

 

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Cartier Champion Sprinter
BLACK CAVIAR (AUS)
6 br m Bel Esprit (AUS) - Helsinge (AUS) (Desert Sun (GB))
2012 Form: -111111 Owner: Gary Wilkie, Mrs Kerryn Wilkie & others
Trainer: Peter Moody AUS Breeder: Rick Jamieson​

Black Caviar is a record-breaking Australian racemare who is unbeaten in 22 career starts.

She was bred by Rick Jamieson of Gilgai Farm, Nagambie, Victoria and is the first foal of the Desert Sun mare Helsinge. Helsinge is a half-sister to the Group One-winning sprinter Magnus, who was also trained by Peter Moody and finished third in the 2007 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Sired by Bel Esprit, Black Caviar was born at Swettenham Stud, Australia, on August 18, 2006 and sold for AUS$210,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale in March, 2008.

She entered training with Peter Moody and made her debut over five furlongs at Flemington on April 18, 2009, winning by five lengths under apprentice Jarrad Noske. That rider was also on board when the filly followed up with a six-length Listed race success at Caulfield the following month. Luke Nolen then took over as Black Caviar's regular rider and has ridden her in all bar one start since.

Her three-year-old campaign began with another Listed success at Moonee Valley in August, 2009, and she survived an early stumble to win the Group Two Danehill Stakes at Flemington that September. A chest muscle injury, sustained during that race, sidelined Black Caviar until January, 2010, when she took the Group Two Australia Stakes in great style at Moonee Valley.

Two more wins in that grade kicked off the 2010/11 southern hemisphere season. Her first Group One victory, an easy four-length verdict over Star Witness in the Patinack Farm Classic, came at Flemington in November, 2010. With Nolen suspended, Ben Melham was the victorious rider. Nolen resumed his partnership to take the prestigious five-furlong Group One Coolmore Lightning Stakes by an impressive three and a quarter lengths from fellow Group One winner Hay List on February 19, 2011. A three-length win under top-weight of 58kg, a record for the race, in the Group One Lexus Newmarket Handicap followed on March 12 in a very fast time of 1m 7.36s for the six furlongs despite being eased close home and both her trainer and the official handicappers regard this as probably her best performance. The Group One victories continued with easy wins in the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley on March 25, the Darley T. J. Smith Stakes at Randwick on April 11 and the Bundaberg Distiller Co BTC Cup on May 14 at Doomben in Queensland when Black Caviar cruised to her sixth consecutive Group One victory, with Hay List once again runner-up.

She returned to action in October 8, 2011 and won the same three races as in the previous year without any fuss - easily emerging on top in both Caulfield's Schillaci Stakes and Moonee Valley's Schweppes Stakes (October 22), both Group Two, and took the Group One Patinack Farm Classic in great style for the second consecutive year at Flemington on November 5.

Black Caviar gained her second Group Two Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley on her first start of 2012 on January 27 without being extended. She proved her versatility when trying seven furlongs for the first time in the Group One C F Orr Stakes at Caulfield on February 11 and enjoyed another effortless win. She then dropped down to five furlongs for the fifth time during her career in Coolmore Lightning Stakes seven days later and beat arch-rival Hay List cosily by a length and three quarters in 55.53s - just 0.03 seconds outside Special's 24-year-old track record.

Black Caviar took in the Group One Sportingbet Classic at the Adelaide track of Morphettville on April 28 when she strolled home for her 20th career success and broke Gloaming and Desert Gold's Australasian metropolitan record for most consecutive wins. Black Caviar returned to Adelaide for another Group One over six furlongs, the Distinctive Homes Goodwood Stakes on May 12 which she won hard held by a length and a quarter.

She travelled to England for Royal Ascot's Golden Jubilee Stakes and was prepared for her run at Newmarket amid huge media interest. Black Caviar made her first appearance outside of Australia in the six-furlong Group One race on June 23. Starting the 1/6 favourite, she cruised into the lead with more than a furlong to race. But she gave her supporters heart-stopping moments when Luke Nolen eased up prematurely before getting the mare going again close home, allowing the fast-finishing Moonlight Cloud to finish within a head of her at the line.

It subsequently emerged that Black Caviar had picked up a strained muscle in her hindquarters when successful at Royal Ascot and it appeared her career might be over. However, she is now expected to return to action in 2013.

 

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Cartier Champion Stayer
COLOUR VISION (FR)
4 gr g Rainbow Quest (USA)- Give Me Five (GER) (Monsun (GER))
2012 Form:-113739 Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor Breeder: Capricorn Stud​

From the final crop of Rainbow Quest, Colour Vision hails from a stoutly-bred German family which goes back to 1986 Irish St Leger winner Authaal.

As his pedigree suggests, long distances have suited Colour Vision, with the pinnacle performance coming when he won the Group One Gold Cup over two and a half miles at Royal Ascot in June.

The four-year-old, a 100,000 guineas yearling, began his career with trainer Mark Johnston in Yorkshire, winning a Thirsk two-year-old maiden over a mile in August, 2010

He ran a dozen times in 2011, capturing staying handicaps at Chester and Haydock in July of that year. He gained a Pontefract conditions event in October before finishing third in Britain's most famous staying handicap, the Betfred Cesarewitch over two and a quarter miles at Newmarket in October. He finished in the same position a week later behind Fame And Glory in the QIPCO Long Distance Cup on QIPCOI British Champions Day at Ascot on his final start that season.

This year he transferred over to Godolphin and came under the responsibility of trainer Saeed bin Suroor in Newmarket. Colour Vision started 2012 when the impressive winner of the Group Three Blue Square Levy Board Sagaro Stakes on Polytrack at Kempton in course record time on May 5.

His next race was the Gold Cup, when ridden by Frankie Dettori again, he repelled another Godolphin horse, Opinion Poll, gamely by half a length in a thrilling finish on June 21.

Colour Vision came third in the Group Two Artemis Goodwood Cup the following month, finished the three-length seventh in the Group Two Stobart Doncaster Cup in September, was third in the Qatar Group One Prix du Cadran at Longchamp last month and disappointed in very soft ground on QIPCO British Champions Day.

 

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Cartier Horse Of The Year & Cartier Champion Older Horse
FRANKEL (GB)
4 b c Galileo (IRE) - Kind (IRE) (Danehill (USA))
2012 form: -11111 Owner: Prince Khalid Abdulla
Trainer: Sir Henry Cecil Breeder: Juddmonte Farms​

In 14 racecourse appearances, the unbeaten Frankel has proved more than a fitting tribute to the legendary US trainer Bobby Frankel, who provided owner/breeder Prince Khalid Abdulla with a host of big-race victories in America until his death from cancer at the age of 68 in November, 2009.

The home-bred son of Galileo is a three parts brother to 2010 Lingfield Derby Trial winner Bullet Train, who acted as his pacemaker and work companion, and a full-brother to three-year-old Noble Mission, winner of the Group Three Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood in 2012.

Frankel made an eye-catching winning debut for trainer Sir Henry Cecil when scoring readily in a mile maiden on Newmarket's July Course on August 13, 2010, as he beat subsequent dual Group One victor Nathaniel by half a length. He built on that promising start when quickening clear of two rivals for an easy13-length victory in a seven-furlong conditions race at Doncaster's St Leger meeting on September 10 that year.

The manner of his win saw Frankel propelled towards the head of the ante-post markets for both the 2011 QIPCO 2,000 Guineas and the Investec Derby and he showed himself a juvenile of uncommon ability with a stunning success in the Group Two Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes over a mile at Ascot on September 25, 2010. Not content with the sedate pace, Tom Queally took up the running entering the straight and Frankel accelerated away from the field with ease to gain an almost effortless 10-length triumph over Klammer.

His trainer then suggested that Frankel was the finest two-year-old to have passed through his hands since Wollow in 1975 (who subsequently went on to win the 2,000 Guineas). Frankel's final start of 2010 came at Newmarket on October 16 in the Group One Dubai Dewhurst Stakes. A strong line-up for the prestigious seven-furlong event also included dual Group One winner Dream Ahead and impressive Group Two victor Saamidd. Held up at the rear of the field, Frankel began to make smooth progress with three furlongs remaining and led before the furlong pole, defeating Roderic O'Connor by two and a quarter lengths in good style. The runner-up strongly endorsed the form when winning a Group One in France afterwards. Frankel was the joint champion two-year-old in Europe on official ratings with Dream Ahead - rated 126 as well as being named the Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt of 2010 at the Cartier Racing Awards.

Frankel reappeared in 2011 in the seven-furlong Group Three Greenham Stakes at Newbury on April 16, when he went to the front passing the three-furlong marker to record an easy four-length success over subsequent French Group One winner Excelebration.

He started the shortest-priced favourite in the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket since Apalachee, third at 4/9 in 1974, when going off at ½. He galloped his opponents into total submission in the mile Classic and was over 10 lengths clear before halfway, winning in incredible style by six lengths from Dubawi Gold with the field completely strung out. Racegoers and television viewers had never seen anything like it. After this truly stunning performance, he headed to Royal Ascot for the Group One St James's Palace Stakes, also over a mile, on June 14, 2011 and extended his unbeaten run. But victory was not delivered in the manner expected by his legion of admirers. Tom Queally, his rider on all 14 starts, sent the colt to the lead with well over three furlongs remaining and Frankel was six lengths clear with a quarter of a mile to run. After such an explosive mid-race burst however, his momentum decreased markedly inside the final furlong, allowing the fast closing Zoffany to get within three quarters of a length at the line.

Frankel took on older rivals for the first time in the QIPCO Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood on July 27 last year, with his main opposition coming from five-time Group One winner Canford Cliffs in a race billed as the 'Duel on the Downs'. In reality the mile contest looked distinctly one-sided as Frankel made the running before powering clear for a dominating five-length success. Connections toyed with the idea of stepping Frankel up to a mile and a quarter for either the Juddmonte International or the QIPCO Champion Stakes, before deciding on the mile Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Sponsored by QIPCO on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot, October 15, when he cruised to a four-length victory over Excelebration.

The World Thoroughbred Rankings for 2011 handed Frankel a rating of 136, 4lb clear of the outstanding Australian sprinter Black Caviar, making him the best horse in the world, a position he has never relinquished since. He was Cartier Horse Of The Year and Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt.

He began the current year at Newbury on May 19, when he sauntered to a facile five-length victory over his old rival Excelebration in the Group One mile JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

Despite that winning margin being the greatest in four meetings with Excelebration, Sir Henry Cecil was expecting a sharper performance at Royal Ascot and the four-year-old did not disappoint. Frankel faced 10 rivals in the Group One Queen Anne Stakes over the straight mile - the opening race of the meeting - and produced a performance of the very highest quality, routing the field with an emphatic 11-length victory from Excelebration who gained Group One triumphs on his next two starts. In the aftermath of the performance, Timeform gave Frankel a rating of 147, the highest in the organisation's 64-year history, while the British Horseracing Authority increased Frankel's rating to 140, 1lb behind the same owner's outstanding 1986 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Dancing Brave.

He achieved another first when capturing his second QIPCO Sussex Stakes at Goodwood easily by six lengths on August 1. Frankel ran beyond a mile for the first time in the Group One Juddmonte International over an extended 10 furlongs at York on August 22. The nine-strong field included a host of top-class performers such as St Nicholas Abbey, Farhh and Twice Over, but Frankel treated them with complete disdain, cruising into the lead two furlongs out before striding clear for a most impressive seven-length victory.

The ease of his success persuaded connections to contemplate the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe over an extra furlong and a half but Prince Khalid Abdulla's racing manager, Lord Grimthorpe, confirmed, after a period of consideration, that Frankel's target was the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 20.

The 10-furlong showpiece, Britain's richest race worth £1.3 million, was to be the colt's final race and he faced six rivals, including the previous year's winner Cirrus des Aigles. Faced with by far the softest ground he had encountered and overcoming a slow start, Frankel was still the comfortable winner by a length and three quarters from Cirrus des Aigles, rated the second best horse in the world.

The extraordinary series of performances by Frankel were best summarised by Sir Henry Cecil when he said: "I am pretty certain that there has never been a better or more talented thoroughbred."

After three marvellous years of racing based at Warren Place stables in Newmarket, Frankel moved last week (November 8) to his owner's Banstead Manor Stud, at Cheveley just outside Newmarket, where he was born and will stand as stallion, worth over £100 million, from early next year.

Frankel is the first horse to win the Cartier Horse Of The Year Award in successive years and to gain five Cartier Awards. The great mare Ouija Board was Cartier Horse Of The Year in 2004 and 2006 and achieved a total of four Cartier Awards.

 

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Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award Of Merit - Team Frankel​

A horse such as Frankel, winner of the Cartier Horse of the Year Award twice in succession, is a very rare occurrence. Having said that, there is no fluke about the great horse's achievements - they represent the pinnacle of thoroughbred breeding and training, with the involvement of dedicated professionals from day one. For that reason, the 2012 Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit goes to Team Frankel.

Frankel's owner/breeder Prince Khalid Abdulla has developed his Juddmonte Farms into one of the world's greatest breeding and racing operations. Since enjoying his first British winner in 1979, his achievements around the globe have been great. He is the only current owner to have owned and bred the winners of all five British Classics and his numerous top-level successes have resulted in owners' championships in Britain, France and the USA. Having built-up a truly outstanding collection of broodmares, Frankel is the ultimate realisation of what owner-breeders set out to achieve.

Lord Grimthorpe, Prince Khalid Abdulla's racing manager in Britain, is the public face of the Juddmonte operation. It is probably fair to say that connections involved with top-level Flat racehorses have a reputation for not always being the most forthcoming of individuals. However, that comment cannot be applied to Teddy Grimthorpe. Always helpful with the media, Lord Grimthorpe has kept the racing public fully informed as to Frankel's running plans and progress. In an age where communication and being on message counts for a lot, Lord Grimthorpe has set the perfect example.

Lord Grimthorpe remarked: "The horse was named in honour of one extraordinary conditioner and trained by another. I have been in racing long enough to know this is a once in a lifetime experience. Frankel has set the standard by which all future champions will be judged.

"Frankel is undoubtedly Prince Khalid's greatest breeding triumph. He has captured everybody's heart.

"Frankel has dominated our lives both personally and professionally. It has been an experience and an extraordinary journey which has just captivated us - an experience we will treasure forever."

It was at Banstead Manor Stud, situated in Cheveley just outside Newmarket and managed by Philip Mitchell (general manager) and Simon Mockridge (farm manager), that the Frankel story began.

Philip Mitchell said: "He was born here at Banstead. I don't think we had any realisation just how brilliant Frankel was going to be.

"Frankel is the ultimate - it just doesn't get any better."

Simon Mockridge added: "He was always highly rated by everybody that judged him early on. To have a bred a horse who was a champion two-year-old, champion three-year-old and champion four-year-old and unbeaten is a phenomenal achievement."

The product of a mating between the outstanding sire Galileo and the eight-year-old broodmare Kind, resulted instud groom Jim Power foaling a bay colt at 11.40pm on February 11, 2008 in box number five of the foaling unit. That 123lb foal was Frankel and, after a three-month trip to Ireland with his dam Kind (who was paying another visit to Galileo), Frankel spent his first summer back at Banstead Manor Stud under Jim's watchful eye before going into pre-training back in Ireland on September 17, 2008. During his time in Ireland, Frankel was based at New Abbey Stud in County Kildare and at the nearby Ferrans Stud, managed by Rory Mahon. He became accustomed to the daily routine of being a racehorse and in September, 2009, was broken-in.

Jim Power explained: "I was lucky enough to be the first person to actually touch him when he was born."

Rory Mahon commented: "In all the years of handling horses, Frankel was the easiest horse to handle. When he left, we probably hoped he could win an English Guineas but to finish up champion is unreal."

Having handled his maternal descendants, Frankel was sent to Warren Place in Newmarket, the base of Sir Henry Cecil, on January 10, 2010. The 10-time champion trainer heads a close-knit team that also includes assistant trainer Mike Marshall, head lass Dee Deacon, who feeds the colts,and travelling head lad Michael McGowan. Of course, Sir Henry has been undergoing cancer treatment throughout the time he has trained Frankel and a constant source of support has been his wife, Lady Jane Cecil.

Lady Jane commented: "Prince Khalid has been extremely loyal to Henry and we are just so very lucky and grateful that he chose Henry to train Frankel."

Mike Marshall said: "All the head team - the head staff - have worked really hard and the staff in general were always aware of what Frankel was doing, where he was going and thinking of him.

"I have never seen anything like him and probably will never see anything like him again."

Dee Deacon declared: "It has been a whole huge team effort. It starts from the genius of the guv'nor - the way he has handled and treated Frankel is just fantastic.

"It has been a pleasure and privilege to work with Frankel. We have had plenty of very good horses but he has been so very special. It will be a very, very big loss once he has gone."

Michael McGowan added: "We only see him when he is the finished article at the race track ready to do his job but the stress to get him to that point must be unbelievable. The pressure is off me as soon as we let him go to the start but it a great feeling when he crosses the line."

Perhaps the person closest to Frankel on a daily basis was Sandeep (Sandy) Gauravaram, his groom at Warren Place. Sandy accompanied Frankel to each of his 14 racecourse appearances and also attended to Frankel's three parts brother Bullet Train, who often acted as a pacemaker for his illustrious stable companion. Frankel's large, seven-and-a-half inch feet, were kept shod by farrier Stephen Kielt.

Sandeep (Sandy) Gauravaram said: "My Dad worked in the Jockey Club in India for about 30 years so everybody in Indian racing knows everything about Frankel. For me to be associated with a horse like him makes them very proud.

"I will miss him very, very much. I don't think I will see one like him again."

It was Shane Fetherstonhaugh who rode Frankel in all his work at home, often with Danny Dunnachie on Bullet Train as the lead horse. Shane was widely credited with channelling Frankel's precocious talent and getting him to settle. Shane's partner Claire Markham is the secretary at Warren Place and, together with Lady Jane Cecil, waded through the deluge of fan mail that the great horse received on an almost daily basis.

Shane Fetherstonhaugh remarked: "It has been a privilege to start off with. I am only one of a handful of people lucky enough to sit on a horse like him. Frankel has never had an off day. He gives you that feeling that he always wants to please, show how good he is, all the time which is unique.

"Danny Dunnachie has played a key part in the training of Frankel this season. He rides Bullet Train in all his work. He should take as much credit as I do and has done a fantastic job.

"To get any horse to win 14 races at any level is hard to do but to do it at the level that Frankel has done is.... The boss has been perfect in his training."

Claire Markham added: "Once he has won his races and the flag (at Warren Place) is raised there is a definitely a high and a buzz around the yard - everyone feels it which is really good for the team."

Then there is the man on Frankel's back for each of his 14 victories, Tom Queally. From the colt's debut victory at Newmarket on August 30, 2010 through to his final success at Ascot in the QIPCO Champion Stakes on October 20 this year, Tom got it right every time. Tom's number two at Warren Place, Ian Mongan, also played a significant role on many occasions when he set up the race perfectly aboard pacemaker Bullet Train.

Tom Queally declared: "I don't know if Frankel would have gone through his career unbeaten if he had been in anybody else's care but Sir Henry's.

"Ian Mongan has played a huge part in the whole Frankel story. A pacesetting role is not easy but he has done it impeccable well. He is a real team player who deserves all the credit he gets.

"It has been an amazing journey and we all feel very special to be associated with a great horse like Frankel. I often talk about what are chances of a horse like him coming along and what are the chances of me being on his back - a million to one really. "

There are obviously many other people who have also played a role in the truly team effort that helped make Frankel into an outstanding racehorse. No stone was ever left unturned and he was trained to give his best.

Few horses retire unbeaten and Frankel's final record of 14 starts, 14 wins (10 at Group One level) is testament to the skill, dedication and hard work of everyone involved - Team Frankel.

 

[Ron]

Great stuff!