Racing:Henry Cecil bade farewell to Frankel today as the world's best racehorse left his Warren Place stable in Newmarket to begin his new career as a stallion. The four-year-old colt made the short journey to his birthplace Banstead Manor Stud where he will take up stallion duties in 2013.
“There is no doubt Frankel has been a brilliant racehorse. I am pretty certain that there has never been a better or more talented thoroughbred,” said Cecil. “He had the speed to be a champion sprinter and then, once he grew up and settled, he got a distance with a turn of foot that makes champions.
“Today is a sad day in some ways for us as he has given us so much pleasure over the last three years. But I want to thank Frankel for so much — for being such a very special part of my training career. Thank you, Frankel.”
The son of Galileo left the racing scene with an unbeaten record of 14, his final racecourse appearance coming in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot last month. Frankel will be served by the best mares, with potential partners including the unbeaten Australian mare Black Caviar and Midday, who spent her racing days at the Cecil stable.