Frankel confirmed his brilliance with another top-class display in the G1 British Champions Mile at Ascot on Saturday.
It stretched his unbeaten run to nine and Racing Post rated him at 139 which matches Dubai Millennium’s 2000 Dubai World Cup romp as the highest recorded ranking.
Frankel (Galileo) is now out on his own on turf after surpassing the previous best of 138 achieved by both Daylami and Sea The Stars.
Saturday’s wide-margin Group 1 success left the impression that there could be a bigger figure in Frankel’s locker granted sufficiently strong competition and pace. If he proves as effective at 2000 metres next year, as Sir Henry Cecil believes, he could be setting new benchmarks given the strength in depth in that division.
Despite finishing a four length runner-up, Excelebration (Exceed And Excel) returned a mark of 129 – good enough to have won all bar two of the previous ten renewals of the Champions Mile.
Frankel was sent off the 4-11 favourite despite four Group 1 winners being among the seven taking him on and they proved to be no match for him as he shot clear of them in the closing stages of the race.
Frankel’s stablemate Bullet Train shot off at a breakneck pace while Tom Queally settled a relaxed Frankel near the back.
The son of Galileo was not in an unfamiliar position for long though and moved to second with more than 1100m to go. He sauntered to the head of affairs to give Cecil a first win in the race since Kris in 1979.
Ascot’s often reserved crowd did not hold back in showing their appreciation for Frankel and the ever-popular Cecil who sent Frankel on a lap of honour around the parade ring after the presentation was complete.
“He’s a very, very good horse. He’s done everything I’ve ever asked. I think a mile and a quarter next year will be easily within him. We wanted him to do enough to win. It’s a very nice day.”
Marco Botti, trainer of Excelebration, said was no disgrace to finish second. “We have to be proud,” Botti admitted. “He tried his best but the winner is a great horse.”