Frankel's every move has become significant but there will be added poignancy to his appearance in Wednesday's Juddmonte International at York, reports www.attheraces.com.The world's champion racehorse will be stepping up to 10 furlongs for the first time on the Knavesmire in a bid to win a race long sponsored by his owner Prince Khalid Abdullah.And it could see a welcome return to the track for Frankel's much-loved trainer Sir Henry Cecil, who has been receiving ongoing treatment for cancer and
Frankel's every move has become significant but there will be added poignancy to his appearance in Wednesday's Juddmonte International at York, reports www.attheraces.com.
The world's champion racehorse will be stepping up to 10 furlongs for the first time on the Knavesmire in a bid to win a race long sponsored by his owner Prince Khalid Abdullah.
And it could see a welcome return to the track for Frankel's much-loved trainer Sir Henry Cecil, who has been receiving ongoing treatment for cancer and has been away from the racecourse as he has not wanted to pick up other infections.
Cecil has already won the International for Abdullah, when Twice Over led home Midday for a famous one-two 12 months ago. But even with the former lining up again, all eyes will be on one animal on what could be the penultimate start of a glittering career.
Cecil said: "Frankel seems in good order at the moment leading into the Juddmonte. I do not think the distance is going to be a problem, although we are going into unknown territory."
The owner's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe, who is in his first year as chairman of the York Race Committee, said: "Bringing Frankel to the Juddmonte has huge symbolic and emotional attachments to it.
"This will be Prince Khalid's 22nd year of sponsoring the Juddmonte and Frankel is third-generation Juddmonte bred. Of course, this horse is his flagship horse. He's been the most extraordinary equine athlete that I've ever seen.This is a very special meeting for us."
Frankel's most recent start came when brushing aside Farhh to retain the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood for his 12th consecutive victory.
Grimthorpe said: "He came out of Goodwood really well and didn't have too tough a time there. He's stepping up to 10 furlongs and a bit, so that will be a new challenge for him and we're really excited by it.
"I'd like to think so (that he will be as good over 10 furlongs) - everything he has shown, especially in his races, shows that he should be well capable of staying 10 furlongs."