FRANKEL, SIMPLY THE BEST
Frankel doesn’t need much of an introduction with his world-class success but this son of Galileo out of a Danehill mare was born in 2008 and stood at 16.1hh.
On the track, Frankel was very special and did what not many do, remain unbeaten during his 14 starts. His career ranged from 2YO to 4YO. He was then retired to stud in 2013, but not before winning 9 Group 1 races, almost Three million pounds in prize money and notching up quite the awards including 2010 Joint Champion 2YO Colt in Europe, 2011 Champion 3YO in Europe, 2011 Champion 3YO Miler in Europe, 2012 Champion Older Horse in Europe and 2012 Champion Older Miler in Europe.
It is no wonder he went on to do great things at stud as well, some might call him an overachiever, especially as he became the fastest sire to 50 Group winners in history and 2023 Champion Sire in Europe, and Great Britain and Ireland.
He is a world-class stallion with success in many countries. He has an incredible 12% Group winners to runners strike rate and 17% black type winner to runner. In 2023 he sired 11 Gr.1 winners in 2023, more than any other Northern Hemisphere-based stallion. Also in 2023, he sired 26 Northern Hemisphere-bred Group winners worldwide which is more than his champion sire Galileo did, he only managed 13.
His list of winners continues with some big names and they keep coming. This may be down to the versatility he seems to pass down to his progeny as Shane Horan mentions below.
"He's an outstanding racehorse who has also become an outstanding stallion. I think it is fair to include Sea The Stars within this rarefied category, but what may be unique to Frankel is the versatility of his progeny at the highest level in terms of precocity and the variety of distance."
Highclere Racing Australia are very pleased to have been able to secure the son of Frankel, Retort who is already a multiple winner in France. He is due to arrive in Australia next month and will be trained by Annabel Neasham who has had great success with recent imports, Naval College and Redstone Well. We can’t wait to see where he ranks here in Australia.