Frankel, the world’s finest ever racehorse, is set to begin his lucrative new career as a stud on Valetine’s Day – earning a staggering £6,270 per second.
The legendary nag retired last October after earning his owner an incredible £3million in prize money on the back of 14 wins in 14 races.
He is now being put to stud – but a liaison with the king of the flat doesn’t come cheap, with his owners charging £125,000 for each 20 second ‘fling’.
His owners reckon he could ‘cover’ up to 120 mares during the breeding season – up to three per day – and will net £200million during his career as a super stud.
And the bad news for the rest of the racing world is that a string of the sport’s finest mares are already being lined up for a quick servicing by Frankel.
It has even been rumoured at some point in 2014 a ‘romance’ between Frankel and wonder mare Black Caviar, who has won all her 22 races, will be on the cards – which could produce the ultimate racehorse.
Yesterday Nick Attenborough of Lovetheraces.com, said: ”Frankel proved to be an amazing racehorse and there’s an excellent chance that he’ll be a champion in the ‘stallion stakes’ but it’s no certainty.
”On odd occasions, a top racehorse has failed to deliver at stud or has proved infertile so Frankel’s owner will be anxiously waiting news that his first mares are in foal.
”Starting his stud career on Valentine’s Day might seem a romantic gesture, but Frankel won’t be wooing his ‘lady love’ with greetings cards, chocolates or red roses.
”Instead, he’s reportedly enjoying seven mile walks every day, led by a groom, before being turned out in his own paddock for a pick of grass, assuming the weather permits.
”Stallions are looked after royally with regular grooming, special diets and spotless stables, ensuring that they’re always in the peak of condition.
”And many of the world’s best are based in Britain which has a global reputation for producing champions.
”Frankel’s first foals, which will be born in spring 2014, are certain to be highly sought after and the few that are sold at public auction are guaranteed to command a substantial premium.
”At last year’s Tattersalls Yearling Sales in Newmarket, an untried colt by Frankel’s father sold for #2.5 million and similar prices can be expected for Frankel’s progeny.
”The ultimate test of his success as a stallion will be when Frankel’s first foals start racing as two year olds in 2016.
”The racing world will be focused on those early performances, hoping to witness successes at the leading race meetings such as Royal Ascot or Glorious Goodwood.
”If he can breed champions then his career and earning potential is guaranteed for many years for it will be evident to racehorse owners that he can pass on his genes to the next generation.”
Five-year-old Frankel, owned by billionaire Prince Khalid Abdullah who is a member of the Saudi royal family, blew away his opposition during his incredible three-year career.
Ridden by young Irish jockey Tom Queally, his last race was the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot on 20th October 2012.
Frankel was trained throughout his career by the legendary Sir Henry Cecil, a ten times Champion trainer, who has won 25 Classics including four Epsom Derbys.
In January he was given the accolade of best Flat racehorse ever, since 1977 when International Ratings started.
He was the Champion British racehorse three seasons in succession, the first time a racehorse has done this for 60 years.
Frankel’s new career begins at Banstead Manor Stud near Newmarket, Suffolk, alongside several other stallions owned by the Prince.
He will start his stallion duties on Valentine’s Day because the gestation period for racehorses is 11 months so breeding season always starts in mid-February.
Owners of mares will have to pay for the privilege, and they are unlikely to be accommodated if the mare has achieved little.
If his progeny prove to be as good as he was then the price per service could easily increase but if they prove useless he will quickly be out of a job.
A top stallion could be covering mares for 20 years so Frankel’s career earnings could exceed #250 million.
The process begins with a male teaser being introduced to Frankel’s potential mate to ‘get her in the mood’.
Frankel will be lead up to her, given a chance to sniff her and that seems to do the trick. The act itself can take as little as 20-30 seconds.
The whole event is managed by ‘stallion handlers’ and a ‘stallion man’, one of whom has the delicate job of cleaning Frankel’s wedding tackle before it’s put to use.
Some of the best mares in the world are already booked in including Danedream (the 2011 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine from Germany),
Group 1 winners Stacelita, Alexander Goldrun, Vodka (from Japan), Zagora (from the USA) and several of the Prince’s best mares including Midday are also due to ‘meet’ Frankel soon.
