Horse racing often transcends life.
Sir Henry Cecil was an exceptional horse trainer who saw the ups and downs of the racing game. Years of success and times where finding winners were a little more difficult than he would have liked.
I am sure all horse trainers know that feeling.
Looking back at an article on this blog: ''Which Frankel Offspring Has Shown the Most Promise?'' Frankel's story and the passing of Henry Cecil make his words even more poignant.
The original article published on the Sporting Post dates back to the 9th of November 2012.
The article details the retirement of Frankel.
After three successful years racing and beating the best horses in training, Frankel concluded an unbeaten career with 14 wins and recognised as the world's highest-rated racehorse.
It was time for Frankel to head back to his birthplace Banstead Manor Stud, to start a new career as a stallion for Juddmonte Farms.
General manager Philip Mitchell said: ''In the foaling unit on February 11th, 2008 at 11:40pm, little did we realise that we were witnessing the birth of a phenomenal racehorse.''
He continued: ''The rest, as they say, is history and now it is extremely exciting that Frankel will be returning to the Stallion Unit at Banstead, some 500 yards from where he was born.''
After winning 14 races - including 10 Group 1 victories - Timeform gave him a rating of 147, the highest figure the organization has ever awarded.
It is fitting to read the words of Sir Henry Cecil: ''There is no doubt Frankel has been a brilliant racehorse. I am pretty certain that there has never been a better or more talented thoroughbred. He had the speed to be a champion sprinter and then, once he grew up and settled, he got a distance with a turn of foot that makes a champion.''
''Today is a sad day in some ways for us as he has given us so much pleasure over the last three years. But I want to thank Frankel for so much - for being such a very special part of my training career. Thank you, Frankel.''
Picture: Frankel makes friends with George the cat at Banstead Manor Stud.
