Frankel Retiring

Flipper

I know nothing about horse racing but I watched the race yesterday after reading the BBC Sport articles about Frankel.

I get the fact that he will earn his owner a fortune from stud fees but what is the significance (if any) of retiring after 14 races?

tonycommander

14 races undefeated i suspect is the biggie!

perhaps the greatest racehorse to have ever raced,  commanding stud fees of £100,000 per time.

Flipper

That's what intrigues me. Why 14, why not 13 or 18? I haven't seen anyone on TV explain why that is.

Tom1986

Because he ran in 14 races....so could only win 14? He can't win 18 if he only ran in 14.

What's the question?

Flipper

The question is why stop at 14?

Would he have been any less valuable after 13 undefeated races? Would he have been significantly more valuable had he run say 18 undefeated races?

Or maybe 14 is not significant, maybe it is down to age of the horse?

Dony

If I owned a horse that would earn £100000 at stud, at up to 100 times per year (probably more if they take it to the southern hemisphere as well) I'd have it wrapped in cotton wool.

There's no reason for it to keep racing and risk injury, so best to stop now while it's still a major cash [-]cow[/-] horse.

As to why it stopped at the number 14, I've no idea.

Flipper

Totally agree.


It's bugging me now

JimmyMac

I think it was a case of its only in the last 2-3 races that the horses game has peaked.once that hits the high point you ensure it's value at stud also peaks

Least that's my take on it

domtheone

14 is irrelevant.  Could have been 8, 12, 20 etc

Tis the end of this years campaign practically (ok they could have done the Breeders Cup).  Looks like they had it in mind to race this year as a 4 year old and then call it a day.

Can't blame them.  As Dony said, stud value is incredible.  They money received from the racing was pennies in comparision.  

I reckon a defeat along the line could have cost those connected millions as it would have had a significant effect on his value.

Quit at the top.

Tis a pity that there were not many others that wanted to take him on as he seemed to race the same horses over and over again.

14 races and he probably only beat 50 horses

Tom1986

That sounds spot on to me