Fabulous Frankel retires unbeaten

Frankel was at his majestic best as he went in retirement after making it a perfect 14 victories in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.

The world's highest-rated racehorse, trained by Sir Henry Cecil, won his 10th Group One race with a trademark display of pure brilliance - despite being slowly away from the stalls and running in very testing conditions.

Sent off the 2-11 favourite, Khalid Abdullah's wonder colt took up the running from Cirrus Des Aigles over a furlong out under his ever-present jockey Tom Queally and pulled away from the French raider to win cosily by a length and three-quarters.

Cecil said: "He didn't like the crowd much but he was very relaxed.

"He's the best I've ever had. He's the best I've ever seen. I'd be surprised if there's ever been any better."

Abdullah confirmed Frankel had run his last race and would to be retired to stud.

He said: "That is the end of it and he will retire."

This was only Frankel's second race over 10 furlongs, having stepped up from a mile for the first time at York in August in the Juddmonte International Stakes, sponsored by his owner.

His previous 12 victories before that had come over seven furlongs and a mile, and included the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at this meeting 12 months ago as well as the St James's Palace Stakes and the Queen Anne Stakes on this track.