RACING:THROUGHOUT AN extraordinary 13-race career which started back in August 2010, the question after every success for Frankel has been: Where next? Always the favourite and in all but one race at odds-on, Frankel has rewarded his supporters time and again, and the excitement has rolled on towards the next stop on his grand tour.

Now, though, the procession is drawing to a close, even as Frankel himself has started to break new ground by extending his range beyond a mile with his victory in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York yesterday. The final answer to that question, though, could yet be one that most racing fans had dismissed as an impossible dream. The mere fact that an attempt to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in early October at 12 furlongs was even discussed after Frankel’s latest success offered at least some hope that it might yet come to pass.

The £737,000 Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot, which has seemed to be the plan for many months, is a valuable and, for British racing in particular, an important alternative target, and it still remains the most probable destination for Henry Cecil’s colt.

Even the most patriotic British racing fan, though, would have to concede that there is something unique about the Arc and the long list of champions it has produced down the decades. The Champion Stakes may be the pragmatic target for Frankel, now that he has proved his ability at an extended 10 furlongs, but the Arc would be the one for a racing romantic.

“We’ll discuss everything and Prince Khalid [Abdullah, Frankel’s owner] will decide what he wants to do,” Teddy Grimthorpe, the prince’s racing manager, said. “It’s a nice decision to have.

“Obviously there is the [Prix du] Moulin [at Longchamp in September], which we’ve talked about before, there is the Champion Stakes, there is the QEII [over a mile on the same day] and there’s a race called the Arc de Triomphe, which he’s not entered in, so again we have to give that some consideration. “Henry has just said to me that the horse will tell us where we’re going.”

Frankel’s first run at a middle-distance trip was little different to many of the routs he has executed in the past. It did not have the explosive quality of his victory in last year’s 2,000 Guineas, or the double-figure winning margin of the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot this year, but as he swept past a field including the top-class St Nicholas Abbey with Tom Queally still holding a tight rein, no one could doubt that they were sharing the Knavesmire with a freak of nature.

Much the same was said about Sea Bird II, the 1965 Derby and Arc winner, who seemed to float across the ground with a huge and impossibly easy stride. Wherever Frankel goes now, it is a memory that will live with anyone who saw him race, not least if by racing abroad for the first time he does indeed increase the number of people who can say they watched him.

“You get so spoiled,” Grimthorpe said. “You expect this from him. I don’t want to sound arrogant at all, because the way he’s come through and done everything is just so wonderful. It’s just hard to believe and the expectations are just so enormous. But he keeps delivering time and time again, it’s remarkable.

“Each time you say ‘that was amazing’, then you see him again and it’s fantastic. That is Frankel, I’ve never seen anything like him.”

Frankel’s victory dominated proceedings on the first day of the Ebor meeting, but the card also saw an important trial for next month’s St Leger as Thought Worthy took the Great Voltigeur Stakes from Main Sequence under a well-judged ride by William Buick.

Thought Worthy’s brother Lucarno, also trained by John Gosden, took the same race before going on to win the final Classic and he is now likely to join Gosden’s powerful team for the Leger, where they must try to frustrate Camelot, the 2,000 Guineas and Derby winner, in his attempt to win the Triple Crown.

“The great thing about having an outside draw in a small field is that you can watch everyone,” Gosden said. “William gave him a very smart ride and nicked three lengths travelling into the home straight. Lucarno won this and went to the Leger and won, and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t run either.”

Frankel will be retired by the winter but his owner has something else to look forward to for next year, as his Dundonnell is among the leading contenders for the 2,000 Guineas, having achieved an impressive success in the Acomb Stakes. He was only three-parts of a length in front of Steeler at the line but won despite not having the race run to suit and seemed to be idling close home. “I was really impressed by that,” said his trainer, Roger Charlton. “A mile should be absolutely fine for him. He obviously deserves to step up in grade, so that probably means a Group One race.”

TWITTER SALUTES A CHAMPION

Racing personalities quickly turned to Twitter to praise Frankel, the remarkable unbeaten colt who stretched his unbeaten record to 13 races in the Juddmonte International at York yesterday.

Michael Bell, trainer: "If Frankel was human he would be Mo (Farrah) and Usain (Bolt) combined!"

Tony McCoy, jockey "No shock there then the best racehorse in the world has won again. Well done Tom Queally and more importantly Sir Henry Cecil."

Clare Balding, presenter: "Frankel wins imperiously. Wow."

Barry Geraghty, jockey: "What a horse Frankel is they will be trying to compare future stars to him for years #aeroplane."

Richard Fahey, trainer: "Frankel was fantastic. Never experienced anything like that at a race meeting. Well done to all involved."

Jessica Harrington, trainer: "Frankel is the best horse I have ever seen. Wow!"

Peter Chapple-Hyam, trainer: "Unreal. What a horse he is and his trainer isn't to bad either #longlivetheking."

Roger Charlton, trainer: "One of the greatest thrills to see Frankel win at York this afternoon a great team effort and a very special day for the Sir Henry Cecil."

David Pipe, trainer: "Delighted for Sir Henry Cecil and connections of Frankel after another incredible performance this afternoon #wow."

Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, owners/breeders: "Frankel's win was quite extraordinary. What an unbelievable equine athlete – surely the best we will ever see.

David Redvers, bloodstock agent: "Mind blowing. Utterly majestic. Have never seen his like before and probably never will again (a depressing thought). #Frankel"

Coolmore, owners/breeders: "Amazing! #Frankel #champion."

Ger Lyons, trainer: "Privileged to witness Frankel and that was the best we have seen from him so far. Wishing Sir Henry all the best in beating his illness."

James Given, trainer: "Huge achievement by all at Team Cecil. Massive congratulations to them all. #Frankel."

Brendan Powell, trainer: "Unreal! We have witnessed greatness."

Donald McCain, trainer: "Best performance yet, awesome! #Frankel"