Frankel

Probably the most famous racehorse in the world today.

Frankel is about to start a new career. He has a specially built bungalow to live in and between February and April 2013 he will 'cover' (Be mated with) about 80-100 thoroughbred mares. Owners will 'nominate' Frankel as their preferred choice of stallion and without doubt his 'book' will be over subscribed, so Juddmonte Stud will select the best mares to breed with him and charge £125,000 per live foal, for the privilege.

Yes, this is what I was excited about today. a visit to Juddmonte Farm Stud at Cheveley, just outside Newmarket, where Frankel will remain during his career as a breeding stallion.

The stud farm was established by a couple returning from the far East, who employed the principles of Feng Shui when planning the lay out. They were far ahead of their time in the UK in 1923. They planted an avenue of Ginkgo trees, renound for their healing and fertility properties, between which the stallions were put to the mares, and this practice continues today.

There are 8 top thoroughbred stallions at Juddmonte, 7 were paraded today. Following that, and almost as exciting was the complimentary buffet lunch, drinks, tea and cake in a heated marquee at Tattersalls horse auction in Newmarket, where top mares in foal were making vast sums of up to 1,500,000 guineas.

The significant fall of snow overnight delayed our start and we headed for home earlier than planned too to avoid further chaos on the roads. However this was still an incredible day, courtesy of Sugar Daddy, of course...