Frankel's best ever win? The 2012 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot!

It takes a lot to win a Group 1 by a wide margin, but there are wide margins and then there’s the eleven lengths by which Frankel steamrollered the Queen Anne field, Excelebration - who’d never been more than five lengths in his wake in four previous encounters - paying a heavier price for daring to engage him earlier at Royal Ascot.
Such an exhilarating exhibition of galloping earned him a Timeform rating of 147, which translates as a simple statement that no horse they’ve assessed in their 75-year history would have beaten Frankel that day.
The World Thoroughbred Rankings likewise positioned Frankel at the very top of the tree, since the system was introduced in 1977, albeit after an ‘historical recalibration’ that marginally reduced the rating of Dancing Brave amongst others from the earlier years.
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[@Broonzied]

That burst of acceleration is a thing of beauty, truly magnificent

[@MrZexyy]

One of the greatest performances on a racetrack ever. Frankel was in a class of his own. Goosebumps. ❤️🐎

[@ajvindiesel8517]

Easy when you face mugs

[@MercurialRed9]

Very reminiscent of his dad Galileo in the way he would pull away from the field even as he crossed the finish post.

[@Zarkava8]

​@@ajvindiesel8517 You're the MUG.

[@ajvindiesel8517]

​@@Zarkava8you can always tell a KZbinr who has no argument, they resort to insults

[@user-kv5fv2nv7o]

@@MercurialRed9 I thought Frankel in general was ridden to open up a big lead and then hold on to the finish rather than run away from them at the finish. Mill Reef is one that was running away from them at the finish.

[@humblequest7905]

Was lucky enough to be there to see this astonishing performance trackside. Takes your breath away every time you watch it!

[@malcs0]

Quite amazing. For a one mile Group 1 at Ascot, usually it's a bunch finish with the winner a length or two clear. Frankel was 12 lengths in front, and the rest of the field looked like they had participated in the Ascot Gold Cup. A seriously brilliant performance.

[@georgemaydell2447]

He genuinely could hold a competition amongst himself for the best performance ever seen on a racecourse. The Guineas win was quite breathtaking but this will never be beaten. A freak of a performance from an absolute freak of a racehorse. The GOAT!

[@michaeldowd5545]

Guineas over rated performance. El Gran Senor Guineas was way better. Chief Singer was second, and was easily way better then any horse Frankel beat. Frankel as 4yo, a different class altogether.

[@craigseddon4884]

I remember the commentary on his second race with the foreboding words of "he might just have a touch of star quality about him."

[@bingefeller]

What an incredible sight, imagine being there and witnessing this in person. Frankel was one of the greatest ever horses. Really beautiful to watch, such an amazing animal.

[@stu3232]

The greatest mile performance of all time by a long way. Only other performance in history at any distance in my view that deserves comparison is Secretariats Belmont win. To open up 11 lengths on them that easily, being eased down on the line, was absolutely ridiculous. I think his Juddmonte was very close to as good as this, but for the visual factor we'll never forget this one. What a horse he was, will be over the moon if I get to see anything like him again in my lifetime.

[@kevinharrison5009]

Of course, many of the Americans didn't respect him. He never ran on any of their flat, left handed greyhound dirt tracks so that's the reason why.

[@jeanmikle6297]

What always amazed me about this race is that it took a good two furlongs to pull him up. Magnificent horse.

[@connorduke4619]

Secretariat Kentucky Derby was also rather impressive - breaking the track record by 3 lengths after breaking dead last and accelerating faster each quarter mile.

[@lisawynne6559]

Hawk Wing 2003 Lockinge win is the greatest performance I've seen

[@leesog3203]

Just imagine, on this day, Frankel beats Secretariat, El Gran Senor and Hawk Wing 5 lengths minimum Frankel - Timeform 147 El Gran Senor - 136 Hawk Wing - 136 Secretariat - 130-135 (over 1mile)

[@anthonyhood6832]

Greatest horse I think I’ll ever see! To have been trained by Sir Henry puts the cherry on top! Wonder horse and an absolute Gent of a trainer

[@LOBBYTHEROBBER]

Totally agree about Frankel and I concur with your views about Sir Henry. "Gent of a trainer"!

[@sparkmanuk]

Sir Henry lived for the horses.

[@machnijd01]

Champion, love you frankel and what you did for the sport!

[@cliveharvey5863]

Ridiculous

[@markcollins7470]

Beautiful....just beautiful!!! I work in the industry and until the day the Good Lord takes me I will clearly remember where I was when it was announced that Sir Henry Cecil had passed away. I can honestly say I was open mouthed when I heard the news. The man was a gentleman and a genius....the like of which the racing game will never see again.

[@thebadgerno.1872]

Frankel is as close to perfection you’ll have ever seen & been. Absolute SuperStar….& he knew he was the Best….poetry in motion. What a Horse !!!

[@kepnjem]

I've watched this race numerous times and am in awe of Frankel. I'm so glad that such a wonderful horse was trained by Sir Henry before he departed from this world. ❤️

[@brianburke7198]

WOW, never get tired of watching the horse

[@ryangardner7962]

Goosebumps every time I watch him. The greatest flat horse of all time.

[@bladerunner16]

The greatest miler but not the greatest racehorse. Never won the Derby, Arc de triomphe, or Breeders cup.

[@ryangardner7962]

Completely disagree. Greatest racehorse of all time ​@@bladerunner16

[@bladerunner16]

@ryangardner7962 He's not the greatest racehorse because he obviously lacked stamina. If Cecil thought for a minute that Frankel would have got 1m4f, he'd have run him in the Derby or the Arc. Sea the Stars and Dancing Brave have far better Cvs.

[@ryangardner7962]

​@bladerunner16 Not at all, not all horses run over longer distances some run over 5/6f all their career. Thay distance was his limit clearly and he dominated every horse that came near him, 11 or 12 of his 16 wins he didn't even come off the bridle. Who said that Arc De Triumph is the race that makes you the greatest?

[@bladerunner16]

@ryangardner7962 The two most prestigious flat races are the Derby and the Arc de triomphe. Frankel never even left England, for gods sake. He was a brilliant miler, no doubt about it, but like I said, he obviously had a slight flaw.

[@riccitarpey1604]

I really miss Frankel. And sir Henry Ceciil.

[@alanfox8928]

Incredible. One of the greatest performances ever.

[@MrPlantpot20]

The words of the late, great Peter Bromley about Shergar in the Derby are appropriate for this performance 'You need a telescope to see the rest!' Frankel was incredible.

[@colinlynam877]

The greatest performance of a horse ever.

[@bizbizley]

Magnificent. Must have 2 hearts. Could’ve been the next Dr Who!

[@geerishsungbahadoor5761]

frankel was ,is n will always b the best racehorse that hv ever born n race i would b very happy if we got a horse like him here in mauritius

[@ronaldmasters4031]

Without doubt the greatest performance of any horse or mare, was in the 2000 Guineas, a top class race, he was 15 lengths clear at halfway, and kept up the strong gallop. Every performance was truly magnificent, never to be seen again 🙏🙏🙏

[@michaeldowd5545]

This was 20lbs better then the Guineas. Dubawi Gold was 6l 2nd to Frankel in the Guineas. Hueston we have a problem. Probably the worst Guineas field in History. El Gran Senor beats Chief Singer in his Guineas with Rainbow Quest in 4th beaten 10l.There is no way Dubawi gold beats Rainbow Quest at any distance, on any going on any surface at any age. Watch the 1984 Guineas, The first 4 home probably better then any horse Frankel ever beat. As a 4yo Frankel is a legend. I like to see what the furlong splits were in each race.

[@dadli3743]

Such a pleasure to watch

[@bigjohnmfc]

That was special i noticed last furlong everyone just applauded amazing

[@user-ho1xo8ub6c]

Every time I watch this it makes me feel so good.

[@markgould9259]

One amazing horse saw him have his first race and blow me down with a feather amazing

[@markquickfall8098]

Saw frankel win the juddmonte at york the first and only horse i think that was paraded before and after a race unbelievable horse. And met the great sir henry i offered him my congratulations he just politely nodded with a doth of his hat my friend said why dont you get a picture taken with him no hes in his aura after that performance

[@johnnysheridan]

That turn of foot!!

[@londislagerhound]

Absolutely staggering.

[@patricksmith3432]

Goosebumps absolutely devastating

[@Paulie17]

Wow what a performance ❤

[@ianbennett6417]

Excelebration has to be one of the best value stallions around. Without the freak superstar Frankel he would have been a champion. He was beaten multiple times by Frankel, but still In this race he really tried to put it up to him and was ultimately broken by the best racing performance I have personally ever seen.

[@OfficialMuffiin]

Reminds me of Sham with Secretariat. Sham and Excelebration were top horses, they just met something greater.

[@johnmanning5568]

Those are Group One winners behind him! He made them look like they belonged on Blackpool beach!

[@stevelee4952]

We will never see another.

[@user-es5us5vr7t]

They say baaeed is the new Frankel. Has a lot to prove to be at that level . Although a exciting colt in his own right I don’t think he would have beaten Frankel . But nonetheless after Baaeed winning the Queen Anne today he is a horse I’ll be watching with interest the rest of this campaign.

[@user-ho1xo8ub6c]

Baaeed didn't remain unbeaten, at first he looked like the new Frankel, but had flaws.

[@matth6349]

Favourite ever race

[@petersimcox4745]

Sensational Frankel !!!.

[@Nautilus1972]

The most awe-inspiring thing I've ever seen was Frankel's Guineas win. Absolute devastation of a group one field. This is number two.

[@cameronharle985]

Goosebumps watching that, what a horse

[@007kennyboy]

Wow still get goosebumps watching that

[@parkssahota7820]

Was a wonder horse. Really miss him

[@countbelalucozade]

He's enjoying himself as a much in demand stallion.

[@adonistopofmen2571]

Fantastic ...

[@gordonfisherreadingsandwri4197]

I loved Lammtarra's Derby win, but Frankel? Best horse I have seen in more than 50 years spectating.

[@unionjakjakson]

Unreal. Felt sorry for the horse in second. His legs were going ten to the dozen & yet Frankel just pulled further & further away. Best performance since Bustino ran out of pacemakers against Grundy & had to hit the front 5f from home.

[@neilatherton601]

Go on the champ. A commentators dream

[@Martin.Lewis..]

Shame he was never considered good enough to race aboard. All real greats are able to do that. #knowledgeispower

[@mjb4983]

I have seen this so many times and each time I am shocked to the core

[@alanclarke1963]

Would love to have seen him try the Derby distance. But I guess Sir Henry knew slightly more than me 😂

[@user-yg6ow6zm5t]

Solid !!

[@kevinbarry1517]

World class he was

[@ronaldparry5183]

Unbelievable horse 🐎

[@TranswarpXL]

If only time travel was a thing. Frankel vs Flightline vs Secretariat

[@sparkmanuk]

He was like a sports car you just needed to go through the gears!

[@paulwilliams4990]

Love it

[@bgardiner2000]

People often forget that Excellerbration, after being beaten 11L in this race went to the BC Turf Mile and ran a game 4th beaten 2L by Wise Dan running 1.31.78, with a run up of course. Let that sink in a little… Frankel would have likely broken 1:31 in that race had they been stupid enough to take him. He should have finished his career at Longchamps.

[@blackswan2010]

For sure.

[@mohawk876]

One of the finest horses to grace the turf. Storm Bird. Mill Reef. Dancing Brave. Shergar. Frankel

[@richardmacey3619]

@mohawk876- How could you leave out Sir Ivor or Nijinsky.

[@cameronlock1260]

Best sporting achievement of all time

[@thegummyhoneybee6997]

FRANKEL! 🐎💚💓

[@coley1skipton]

Excellebration was unfortunate to be around same time as Frankel.

[@michaeldowd5545]

A donkey

[@simonwelford6202]

What a machine he was, best ever

[@boondocksaint7737]

What. A. Horse. Wow.

[@MonkeeANDcheeky2]

Frankel and Enable rufused to race the champion

[@grahammccready2647]

That was very very special but maybe the 2000 G's was his best ever win. Just because it was insane and not the way any jock should ever attempt to ride a race, unless you have a horse like Frankel under you. I doubt he would have been beaten from 6 to 10f by anything. The best I've ever seen

[@jamesking409]

There was only one group1 winner in that 2,000 Guineas,it was one of the poorest Guineas ever,and I would probably think those horses he beat again there were the same horse as were in the Guineas.

[@marcglenwright2185]

I like how the commentator says at the start that Bullet Train needs some persuading to go in, I'm not surprised haha, imagine if your a racehorse and having to share a horsebox with Frankel after he's beaten you by about 30 lengths

[@johnwalton3743]

Frankel is the best I've ever seen and frankel is going to be the greatest sire of all time he was awesome every time he ran he just blew every opponent away with ease and Henry Cecil was right what he said that he wanted to have one more year with frankel because Henry Cecil knew that frankel would have got a mile and half and like he said that he's the best I've ever seen the best I've ever had and I doubt that you will see anything better than frankel and he's right because you look at the horses that Henry Cecil as trained over the years and for him to say that is mind blowing and he knew that had a very special horse on his hands

[@user-be9zq5mj2t]

The GOAT

[@jdcahill1926]

I think he could’ve won that with me steering- and I’m 15stone🤣🤣

[@147ard]

Incredible speed by Frankel, i would love to know split furlong times of his final 2 furlongs.

[@user-fs6sl2er1x]

Frankel was a freak but it was a pleasure watching him

[@katyevans5658]

Wish he could have met the brigadier gerard ..now that would be the test❤

[@jeanlawley6483]

His best win was the Judmonte international 1m2f ... it proved Frankel could not be beaten over any distance ... had he run in the Derby he would have won easily, same in the Arc and so on ... best flat horse ever ... can you imagine him running against Black Caviar and Winx ... he would have destroyed both of them without breaking a sweat

[@LouisXfactor]

This is a procession

[@user-we8zw8tg5q]

❤❤❤

[@stephencarter2332]

Alongside Secretariat's Belmont that's the greatest performance ever

[@sjshar1510]

Woah! That’s some acceleration, would beat a maseratti any day!

[@lukekelly4482]

The only me performance in the same category is Frankels Guineas win

[@ronelpagao2813]

That move is like is that of secretariat

[@G4RY1159]

Why does Tom Queally not get rides on top animals these days ? even when all these big festivals / meetings are on Tom's got one ride at Lingfield. Lady Cecil dropped him like a hot brick too, what's the story ?

[@dannyboihenson]

Credit to Tom here aswell

[@lordusmaximus147]

There was no need to exert the horse like that tho to win by 12 lengths! Just a couple lengths would have done the job! Prob didn’t need to whip or shake reigns at all!

[@markhancock7527]

No his best win was the 2000 guineas amazing how he won that.

[@kieron.e3607]

🤯🥶🥶🥶

[@samanthamcnally1434]

Oh my days.... jock still swinging off him a furlong or so out

[@kateodonoghue6515]

Must go to see him at stables

[@OfficialMuffiin]

I'll be so jealous you get to see him in person, his stud career is surpassing his amazing racing career.

[@paulfitzgerald3989]

See. The. Stars

[@evertonianwalker3635]

Frankel is by far the greatest horse I’ve witnessed in my lifetime.

[@GBeret83]

God had a horse in the field that day......................but Frankel demolished him too!

[@ajvindiesel8517]

Sorry....who did he beat?

[@OfficialMuffiin]

A lot of top multiple group 1 winners over his career.

[@jasonsampson1301]

If you had loads of money to back him...you'd have won a lot...wat a champion... quilley didn't have to do much...that's a horse that got in front and ran a straight line...never seen a horse like him since...probly never will... properly built... beautiful stallion...best sprinter ever..lost a few maidens...then Henry got him...he said he was the best race horse he'd ever seen...enough said...r.i.p sir Henry Cecile..a proper horseman...wonderful...

[@cliveharvey5863]

He never lost won all his 14 races

[@jamespage6628]

@@cliveharvey5863 he wasn’t a sprinter either, running between 7f and 1m2

[@cliveharvey5863]

@@jamespage6628 saying that I dont think any of the sprinters would have beat him looking at his sectional times

[@Sailing_svP]

@@cliveharvey5863 Just look at his 2000 Guineas, he ran a mile at sprinting pace.

[@davidmalpass7129]

Don't forget the importance of bullet train.

[@thomsjordan8081]

POOR EXCELABRATION 2ND NUMEROUS TIMES TO FRANKEL

[@davidwallace6031]

Im not an expert- how do people think a race over a mile or even 10 furlongs wouldve panned out between see the stars and frankel??

[@OfficialMuffiin]

Hmm that's a great question. I'd personally say Frankel but it would be very, very close. Sea the Stars was a beast.

[@ajvindiesel8517]

Zafonic and Dancing Brave would both have demolished these rivals even further. They were a bunch of donkeys.

[@smallsmalls3889]

Concedering the horses Frankel beat were raced at a mile to a Mile and a quarter and Dancing Brave was a Mile and a half horse this proves what a Thicko you really are. I suggest you don't comment any more because you embarrassing yourself😂😂😂😂😂

[@riccitarpey1604]

Best of all time.seabiscuit.

[@jamesvalentine3845]

His best performance in my opinion.

[@lordusmaximus147]

No the win on heavy beating Cirrus was his best 😉

[@cameronlock1260]

Not one of it is the best & will never be equallised (made-up word I appreciate..)

[@user-ci5jg5ny1z]

🔥💋

[@DirtySanchez658]

I could beat Frankel (over 1 yard).

[@johnralston5164]

Simply the best ever!