Horse Racing: Cracksman slaughters rivals to win second Champion Stakes in a canter

Cracksman produced another imperious win to end his career on a high, ruthlessly powering to a six-length success after dominating the QIPCO British Champion Stakes at sun-kissed Ascot.

It was the second successive win in the race and it was almost as impressive as his destruction of similarly high-class field last year.

The son of Frankel had been far from convincing in winning the Coronation Cup at Epsom in June before going down to defeat by Poet’s Word at Royal Ascot.

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Gosden elected to equip the colt with first-time blinkers in a bid to liven him up, and while he still raced lazily in midfield, with Frankie Dettori forced to nudge away at him, when he asked the question, Cracksman answered in the most decisive fashion.

He strode clear in the straight and never looked in any danger as he collected a third Group One success of the season.

Crystal Ocean was a distant second and 66/1 outsider Subway Dancer stayed on past beaten horses to take third.

Gosden said: “Obviously, he’s a hugely-talented horse. He’s a mighty impressive horse, and I never mind blinkers.

“When he’s in the zone, he’s a very good horse. I would think quite likely he’ll go to stud (now).

“We waited for the King George and the ground was too firm, we looked at the Juddmonte International, we freshened him up didn’t go to Longchamp (for the Arc) and came here, where he was back to his best.

“I’m a great believer in putting a semi-blinker on as I’ve had a lot of luck with it down the years and it’s a little trick I learned in America.

“He is a hugely talented horse and he showed it again today and I’m sure he will be off to stud now.

“When he’s in the zone, he’s a very good horse. I would think it quite likely he’ll go to stud.

“He’s a four-year-old, turning five. He’s Frankel’s best son and it’s good to see him back to his best.”

Dettori said: “All the lights were on and when I kicked he went ‘whoosh’. It was brilliant. He did it all on his own.

“The blinkers worked and he was concentrating. I kept him away from Rhododendron and in the first bit of the race I knew he was good. He came good for me at the three and I knew we were in business then.

“You know when you are going twice as fast as the others, and I could celebrate.”