Juddmonte International - Frankel Wins

Moves Like Frankel - Frankel took his winning run to 13 with victory in the Juddmonte International

Earlier this afternoon Frankel took his winning streak to a very lucky 13 out of 13 as he took the step up to 1m2f in his impressive stride to land the race sponsored by his owners the Juddmonte International on the first day of York's Ebor Festival.

For many the outcome was never in doubt but a few had cast doubt over whether he would stay the extra distance or whether he would fall foul of Balydoyle's most sustained attempt yet to get him beat.

There were a number of pacemaking angles in the race and the Ballydoyle two Windsor Palace and Robin Hood went to the front early with Frankel's pacemaker Bullet Train in behind. Frankel's main challengers Farhh and St. Nicholas Abbey sat a couple of lengths behind them with Frankel held up near the back.

On the turn Frankel tracked St. Nicholas Abbey and soon strode clear though with the chasing pack following in vain, eventually running clear by seven lengths to return the red-hot 1/10 favourite, with Farhh (10/1) in second and St. Nic (5/1) in third.

If reports are to be believed this was Frankel's penultimate race, with only the Champion Stakes on Champion's Day left for the world's greatest racehorse before retirement at the end of the season.

If that is the case then although his campaign has been a bit safer than some would have liked, he owes us nothing as he has gained mainstream media coverage for Racing that the Racing For Change lot could only have dreamed of.

He truly is the greatest flat horse we will probably see in this lifetime and it's been a privilege to be able to enjoy him.

Earlier on the card old stalwart Tax Free landed a deserved win in the opening 5f handicap before Dundonnell carried the Frankel colours to victory in the Acomb. William Buick then nicked the Great Voltigeur with a brilliant ride to steer rank outsider Thought Worthy to victory to further muddy the waters in the battle for minor honours behind Camelot in the St. Leger. 

This day belonged to one horse though and his name is Frankel.