Frankel, Superhorse of England

The Royal Ascot kicked off in Berkshire, UK, today, where unbeaten 4-year-old Frankel took the Queen Anne Stakes by 11 lengths, prompting the Guardian to proclaim him the “greatest ever.”

To put the Group 1, one-mile win into US-accessible terms, the Daily Racing Form‘s Marcus Hersh chose baseball: “Imagine the New York Yankees playing a semi-pro team from rural Wisconsin, and you will get an idea what Frankel is doing to the other milers who have dared face him in England.”

The Guardian‘s Greg Wood expands: “Frankel has been brilliant throughout his career, and his 11-length winning margin on Tuesday was not even the easiest of his career, as he won a minor event at Doncaster in 2010 by 13. But this was not just Frankel’s finest performance, it was possibly the best single performance by any horse, on any track, since three Arabian stallions were imported into Britain to found the thoroughbred breed in the early years of the 18th century.”

Frankel is undefeated in his 11 career starts, all at lengths of a mile or less.

The Royal Ascot continues through Saturday, June 23, when the card’s other superstar, Black Caviar, will run for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

Read more from the Daily Racing Form and the Guardian, or to see how the Queen’s enjoying things, check out The Website of the British Monarchy’s Royal Ascot Blog.