Hall of Fame trainer Frankel dies

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Bobby Frankel, a Hall of Fame trainer who saddled six Breeders' Cup winners and 2003 Belmont Stakes champion Empire Maker, died Monday from complications of cancer at the age of 68.

"Bobby Frankel was one of the greatest trainers in thoroughbred racing history," National Thoroughbred Racing Association President and CEO Alex Waldrop said in a statement.

"His outstanding horsemanship, coupled with a keen insight into the game, made him a force in the sport for the last 40 years.

"His immense talent, and his abiding love for his horses, will be sorely missed."

Frankel had not been seen in public in more than six months, since a recurrence of lymphoma, which he beat around 10 years ago, the Daily Racing Form (DRF) said.

Frankel won 3,654 races from 17,657 starters and his horses earned almost $228 million, putting him second all-time on the money list to D. Wayne Lukas.

He won the 2004 Breeders' Cup Classic with Horse of the Year Ghostzapper.

"Bobby Frankel was a winner at every level he competed, including in the Breeders' Cup, where his six career wins are part of his wonderful legacy as one of the true greats of our game," said Breeders' Cup President and CEO Greg Avioli.

(Writing by Steve Ginsburg in Washington; Editing by Kevin Fylan)