Frankel destroys Juddmonte field

Frankel took his perfect career record to 13 with a facile success in the Juddmonte International Stakes.

Doubts had been expressed about the ability of the world's highest rated thoroughbred to last home on this first attempt over 10 furlongs but, if anything, he looked even better over this longer trip than he had over a mile.

Eddie Ahern jumped pacemaker Bullet Train out to secure the lead but was brushed aside by Ballydoyle pacesetters Robin Hood and Windsor Palace.

That pair set a frenetic gallop which Ahern wisely ignored as he settled his mount in third, about four lengths clear of the chasing St Nicholas Abbey who was ridden more prominently than earlier in the season.

Farhh tracked Joseph O'Brien's mount with Frankel held up in rear alongside last year's winner and stablemate Twice Over.

Robin Hood took the field along to the stands' side with Frankel closest to the rail of the chasing pack but there were never any concerns as to whether he'd get a run as Tom Queally clearly had plenty of horse underneath him

O'Brien started to get to work aboard St Nicholas Abbey but if he had time to look to his right, he'd have seen the brilliant Frankel alongside still on a tight rein.

Frankel eased into the lead without being asked for his effort and when Queally let out an inch of rein inside a final furlong Sir Henry Cecil's colt quickened clear in breathtaking style to record, arguably, the most impressive victory of his brilliant career to date.

The winning margin was seven lengths with Farhh edging out St Nicholas Abbey for second.

Frankel and Queally were accorded three cheers by the throngs gathered around the winners' enclosure as they returned to receive their plaudits.

Queally said: "I suspected they'd go a good gallop, but we had our plan in place.

"It panned out nicely - he won ever so well.

"It's a fantastic training performance."

Queally added: "I gave them enough of a lead for the pace we were going and he won ever so well.

"He's certainly as good (over a mile and a quarter as a mile).

"Every man and his dog seemed to want to put their penny's worth in to say where he should run, but to run him in the owner's race and for him to make it 13 out of 13 speaks for itself. I'm delighted to be a part of it."

Frankel's heroics also witnessed an emotional return to the track for the much-loved Cecil, who has been receiving ongoing treatment for cancer and has not wanted to pick up other infections.

He said: "That was great, wasn't it?

"It's fantastic. It's great for Yorkshire, they are very supportive of racing and they deserve to see him."

Asked how it made him feel, the trainer said: "Twenty years better."