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Sensational Frankel Powers to Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
15/10/11

1 Frankel 4/11F
2 Excelebration 6/1
3 Immortal Verse 7/1
8 ran Distances: 4l, 3½l, nk
TIME 1m 39.45s (slow by 0.45s)

Sir Henry Cecil received a rapturous ovation upon entering the paddock after Frankel (4/11 favourite) confirmed his status as racing's stellar act with another powerful display in the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Sponsored by QIPCO.

Frankel
© Racehorse Photos

Frankel, who earned an even greater reception from his massed ranks of fans, is now unbeaten in nine career starts after easily closing down his pace-making stablemate and three parts brother Bullet Train with over a quarter of a mile remaining, and then powering to an imperious four-length victory.

Recognising that Frankel is most certainly the horse of a generation, the packed stands began applauding the Galileo three-year-old with fully half a furlong still to race as he swept aside Group One winner Excelebration, with a further three and a half lengths back to another multiple top-flight scorer, Immortal Verse.

Cecil was winning the race for the second time, Kris having scored in 1979 for the Warren Place handler, while owner/breeder Khalid Abdulla was enjoying a fourth triumph after Known Fact (1980), Warning (1988) and Observatory (2000).

Frankel, who was crowned joint champion juvenile in 2010, will be kept in training next year, with connections looking forward to a step up to 10 furlongs.

Cecil, speaking against a cacophony of cheers, said: "I'm very, very happy. He is a very good horse and he was very relaxed today. I'm really looking forward to having a winter over him next year. I think he will get a mile and a quarter very easily.

"He did everything we asked of him and was just doing enough today, we weren't trying to catch pigeons, we were just trying to win the race nicely. I'm very grateful to QIPCO for sponsoring and it has been a very nice day.

"I was worried about the long year but everything went right. He is very relaxed and he has done everything I have asked and I am looking forward to training him next year, God willing."

Prince Khalid Abdulla commented: "Many people tell me that Frankel is the best horse that they have seen and I am glad to have such a horse.
"I was expecting that today but he is always like. I am just hoping that he will do the same again next year.

"Henry is the best trainer - a very good trainer - and, when he says something, I believe him."

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Frankel Sir H R A Cecil	T P Queally 9st 0lbs	4 - 11 Winner
2	Excelebration M Botti	J P Spencer 9st 0lbs	6 - 1 4 lengths
3	Immortal Verse Robert Collet	G Mosse 8st 11lbs	7 - 1 3 1/2 lengths
4	Dubawi Gold R Hannon	J P Murtagh 9st 0lbs	28 - 1 Neck
5	Dick Turpin R Hannon	C Soumillon 9st 3lbs	14 - 1 3/4 length
6	Poet's Voice S bin Suroor	L Dettori 9st 3lbs	33 - 1 1/2 length
7	Side Glance A M Balding	J Fortune 9st 3lbs	50 - 1 Head
8	Bullet Train Sir H R A Cecil	I Mongan 9st 3lbs	150 - 1 2 3/4 lengths

EXCELEBRATION FOILED AGAIN

For the third time in his career, the Marco Botti-trained Excelebration had to finish behind the brilliant Frankel when losing out by four lengths in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO.

Excelebration
© Racehorse Photos

"We have to be proud of Excelebration, he tried his best but was second to a great horse," said the runner-up's trainer Marco Botti. "The winner was the best horse and it is no disgrace to be second and it was over three lengths back to the third. We've tried to beat Frankel three times and it has been no different each time.

"I wouldn't imagine he'll run again this year, I'll discuss it with the owners and the only possible race would be in Hong Kong."

Immortal Verse was three and a half lengths further back in third and her trainer Robert Collet commented: "For 11 days before the race, the filly had to be led in hand so her preparation didn't go to plan as she was missing a bit of work.

"But I don't regret running today. Frankel won the race so easily that even if we had been 100 per cent we would not have won. She won't go for the Breeders' Cup, she is too young this year, but she will stay in training next season."

DUBAWI GOLD TOO KEEP ON TRUCKING FOR TINKLER

Finishing fourth to a horse like Frankel is no disgrace as Dubawi Gold's owner Andrew Tinkler reflected upon his charges run after the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO.

Dubawi Gold
© Racehorse Photos

Tinkler said: "I am really pleased that Frankel won the race, and I wouldn't want to take his glory away, though it would be nice.

"I think to be fair we came here to get some prize money, we allways thought that Frankel Excelebration and Immortal Verse were better horses. But the horse (Dubawi Gold) showed today that he is up there with them. He has been unlucky this year, he's been in two Guineas and finished second.

"Next year we are going to keep him in training and hopefully we can get a Group One out of him because he deserves it. He stands his racing really well, you've just got to look at the familly to see how they stand racing. If he then took that toughness on to his stud career to me that's what matters."

When asked if he would stand the horse himself Tinkler answered: "I'm early in to this game and you never know we might do. You have to try things."

Johnny Murtagh, jockey of Dubawi Gold, commented: "He ran very well - he's been beaten by the first, second and third favourite. It was a funny race the pace maker went and we sat back a bit and then their was a bit of a rush on. When they quickend it kind of caught him flat footed but he ran really well."