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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[vhkhrnf]

Every once in a while I’ll come back and watch this…every single time it gives me goosebumps

[humblequest]

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

[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. ❤️🐎

[malcs]

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.

[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.

[GavinSimmonds-on]

The best horse I've ever seen by a long way..
Unbelievable horse, unbelievable trainer.
I'm blessed to have witnessed such brilliance.

[anthonyhood]

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

[stu]

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.

[craigseddon]

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

[markcollins]

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.

[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. ❤️

[georgemaydell]

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!

[machnijd]

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

[RoryLord]

Would have loved to see him and Black Caviar take each other on, a shame we never got that!

[GeraldOShea-frtg]

I'll never get tired of watching this horse race

[thebadgerno.]

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 !!!

[brianburke]

WOW, never get tired of watching the horse

[MrPlantpot]

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.

[JamesHodd-rn]

I don't know if there will be another as good as Frankel, but his 2 year old Daughter ( Bedtime Story) is special, look out for her next year, potential 1000 guineas winner, and one and a quarter mile races .