Frankel will join an outstanding roster when he takes the short journey from Sir Henry Cecil’s Warren Place stables in Newmarket to Banstead Manor Stud.

Frankel (4h Galileo – Kind by Danehill) bowed out of racing with his unbeaten record intact on Saturday.  Despite a slow getaway and unfavourable ground, he scored a convincing victory over worthy adversary Cirrus Des Aigles in the G1 British Champions Stakes (2000m) at Ascot.

His owner Prince Khalid Abdullah, who also bred and raced Danehill, has nurtured a high-class operation under the Juddmonte Farms banner and that’s reflected in the stallions on service at his Newmarket nursery.

The Banstead Manor line-up includes Dansili (Danehill), Oasis Dream (Green Desert), Observatory (Distant View), Rail Link (Dansili), Three Valleys (Diesis), Champs Elysees (Danehill) and Zamindar (Gone West).

Frankel will be joined by fellow newcomer Bated Breath (Dansili) who won the G2 Temple Stakes and was runner-up in the G1 King’s Stand Stakes this year.

“He will let down at Warren Place and come to Banstead Manor when he’s ready,” Prince Khalid Abdullah’s racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said.  “Interest in him as a stallion has come from every part of the world.”

Grimthorpe also paid tribute to Cecil whose handling of the superstar has been masterly throughout his career.  And Cecil was visibly moved by the extraordinary reception accorded Frankel on Saturday.  “He’s the best I’ve ever had and he’s the best I’ve ever seen,” Cecil claimed.  “I would be surprised if there’s ever been any better.”

Timeform ranked Frankel as the all-time greatest after his 11 length romp in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.  His was given a 147 rating which put him ahead of Sea Bird (145) and Brigadier Gerard (144).

Bookmakers have opened a market on Frankel’s introductory service fee for those broodmare owners lucky enough to make the cut in 2013.  He has been priced at 11/10 to command more than 150,000 pounds, 4/5 between 100,000 & 150,000 pounds and 6/1 if it’s under 100,000 pounds.

His sire Galileo stands at Coolmore Stud in Ireland for a ‘private’ fee.  While the cost of a cover was advertised, Galileo reached the euros equivalent of 168,000 pounds in 2008.

– Karl Patterson

FRANKEL
All-time great will command record first-season service fee