Gillespie: Frankel is the best ever
EDWARD Gillespie joined the tributes to Frankel by hailing Sir Henry Cecil's superstar as "the best horse there's ever been."
The outgoing managing director of Cheltenham Racecourse reckons the 13-race unbeaten colt has no equal past or present on the Flat or over jumps.
Frankel still trails 1980s hero Dancing Brave by about half a length in the official British Horseracing Board's (BHA) official ratings after another his easy win at York on Wednesday.
But Gillespie, who has seen plenty of good horses in his time, strongly believes the nine-time Group One level winner deserves to be out in front.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
"He's the best horse there's ever been and I wish more people would say that," said Gillespie.
"I think people have been very conservative in their view, but in my opinion he's the best horse by far.
"I can't imagine any horse ever dominating the competition quite like this horse does, the way he just motors past them.
"It's like he's come from a different planet and Sir Henry Cecil has done such a fantastic job with him.
"You can't imagine him ever losing a race and he could win from five furlongs up to two miles in my opinion.
"I think he's the best there's ever been, and that includes my dear friend Arkle, and let's enjoy him while he's still around."
Frankel became the first horse to run to an official rating of 140 twice in his career with his seven-length win in the Juddmonte International Stakes over ten furlongs at York.
He also achieved the sky-high rating over a mile in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
He now has the opportunity to beat the end-of-career 141 awarded to Dancing Brave in 1986, probably in the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, October 20.
However, while it appears unlikely, a crack at the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on October 7 has not been ruled out.
If he does run it would be the first time Frankel has raced over a mile and a half.
Comments
by jrooney
Monday, September 10 2012, 3:32PM
“(i remember the great trainer W Haggas recently being asked on tv, what he thought about Frankel, he replied actually I am a Sea the stars fan, because he won every race that every trainer wants to win), But as far as i am concerned arkle put up the greatest performance of all time at Sandown in 1965 when under top weight he won by 20lengths going quicker and quicker smashing the course record by 17 seconds a record that still stands-now with his all out style of racing what track records has Frankel even fractionally lowered-thats right none, that tells me more about the horses he has been beating then how great he is, Arkle was a Freak no horse will ever match that performance he put up on that day at sandown in 1965”
by jrooney
Monday, September 10 2012, 2:38PM
“Frankel better then the Freak Arkle who smashed the track record at sandown in i965 by 17 seconds, giving lumps of weight, by 20 lengths, going quicker and quicker, a record that still stands, now what track records did Frankel even fractionally lower, thats right none, Arkle put up the greatest performance of all time that day, that will never be bettered by any horse ever.”