As Frankel lines up a week today at York in the Juddmonte International Stakes , he will be attempting to remain unbeaten and win his thirteenth consecutive race. However, it will be his first venture at a distance beyond a mile, and many ageing pundits will recall that this very race ( then known as The Benson & Hedges ) brought about the sole defeat in 1971 of the illustrious and hitherto unbeaten Brigadier Gerard. What many people may not know is that, prior to York, Brigadier Gerard had already been tested five times over a mile and a quarter and beyond- and had triumphed on each occasion. Therefore it is perhaps fitting- and opportune- to recall the racing career of the colt whom Joe Mercer steered to seventeen victories out of eighteen races...... As the six three year old colts lined up for the 1971 2000 Guineas, it’s safe to say the majority of pundits expected either My Swallow or Mill Reef to triumph. Although the race had only six runners, the two favourites, My Swallow and Mill Reef, had won fourteen of their combined fifteen two year old races- the latter losing narrowly to My Swallow in the Prix Robert Papin. Quite an amazing number of runs for such high class two year olds! Brigadier Gerard also went to post unbeaten ( in four races) and, after My Swallow set a furious pace, Brigadier Gerard surged three lengths clear up the hill to the line. It is worth mentioning the absolute quality of that 2000 Guineas. Mill Reef never lost again and for many he will always be one of the greatest post-war Derby and Arc De Triomphe winners. The Brigadier continued unbeaten throughout his three year old season and , after wins in the St. James Palace Stakes, Sussex Stakes, Goodwood Mile, and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, he rounded off the season by winning The Champion Stakes- his first venture at 10 furlongs. As a four year old, the Brigadier was campaigned essentially over longer distances, despite winning the Lockinge Stakes on his initial outing. He won the Westbury Stakes over 10 furlongs at Sandown and then broke the track record when winning the Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot. After taking in the Eclipse, he stepped up to a mile and a half and defeated Parnell in the King George & Queen Elizabeth at Ascot. Then followed his shock defeat at the hands of Roberto in the Benson & Hedges at York. Perhaps it is best left to Joe Mercer to comment on that race... “He was a sick horse,” Mercer explains. “Just like all the other horses in the [Dick Hern] yard at that time. I didn’t know anything was wrong until I put my foot on the pedal in the straight and there was nothing there. Roberto, who had gone on, had set the race up for us, but my horse was sick. Buster (travelling head lad) said that when they got back to the stables and the horse put his head down, the mucus poured out of him. He was sick, yet he was still able to run second to the Derby winner, giving him 12lb. “He was a fantastic horse, a true champion. He had won the King George through sheer guts and the only time he was beaten, he was sick,” the former champion said.” Mercer goes on to comment on Frankel.... “I can’t see anything beating this horse. He excels himself every time he runs. He’s relaxing better and as far as tactics go, if Ballydoyle run more than one pacemaker to make it a real stamina test, then I believe Frankel will just win by a wider margin. “I spent four years as stable jockey to Sir Henry Cecil and we got along very well. He was very easy to ride for. He understands everything about his horses and has a great feel for them. It is natural.” It is understandable that Joe would not be drawn into comparing Frankel with Brigadier Gerard, except to say... “I am a big fan. His record is incredible and he’s the best I’ve seen since The Brigadier.” Maybe it’s best left that way. My view, for what it’s worth is that the Brigadier beat better opposition and showed greater versatility. As for which was the better miler, the comparison is not necessary. The greatness of both is there for everyone to see.
A good and timely post Tamerlo (and Good Morning to you). The mucous story is an interesting one. Hislop mentions it in his book, but Hern categorically denies it happened in his biography by Willetts. The story I prefer is that Noel Murless said he looked a tired horse: and with it being his 6th race in 13 weeks he probably had reason to be tired. I personally think 12f was beyond him and he got home on his class alone (as good as that King George field was). That last furlong emptied him. 10f no problem, but at 12f it just was too far. It must have tired him like no other race. What furlong will empty Frankel? because one furlong will, be sure of that. Will he take 10 in his stride like the Brigadier? Let's hope he does.
Good morning , Bustino. Yes, curious contradictions about the mucus. Maybe you're right- he just went to the well once too often. Nonetheless, Roberto was a pretty good horse and 10 furlongs was probably his best distance. Couple that with the enterprising ride his jockey gave him (to shatter the course record) and Brigadier was just found wanting on the day. Didn't Piggott reject Roberto in favour of Rheingold in the race? Those two opponents were pretty classy and, in a way, his sole defeat doesn't need any excuses.
A truly great horse. I had no idea that he was so sick when he ran in the Benson & Hedges, if so he ran a tremendous race. There was one slightly negative thing about the Brigadier's only defeat, and that was the desperately poor sportsmanship of John Hislop the owner. Since he was very much one of the UK's schickimicki elite, one would have thought he would have known how to lose like a gentleman. But no, remember him moaning and kept on telling us this and that went wrong during the race, and not one flipping word about the wonderful front-running ride the great Braulio Baeza gave Roberto, and this considering the jockey had never seen a European racecourse in his life at that time (think that's right, please correct me if I'm wrong). Have just read that the Panamanian-born master jockey had two nicknames namely, "The Great StoneFace" because he was so impassive looking. The other nickname given to Braulio was "The Sphynx" because his expression was difficult to read and he rarely displayed any emotion. Erm, wouldn't the latter nickname be apt for one of today's riders we know only too well? No, never did think much of Hislop after that.
Only seen the mighty BG on film as i was born in 75. I think Frankel would beat BG over a mile and i think Mill Reef would of beat BG over 1m4f everytime. Over 1m BG had Mill Reef' number but at a catch 1m2f it would of been a great race to see.
Don't want to reopen the age old debate ...................... but I will. If we are lauding Brigadier Gerard's versatility (quite rightly IMHO), and saying that Frankel needs to demonstrate more versatility in terms of trip to seal his legacy (again quite rightly IMHO), then surely Desert Orchid and Kauto Star must be considered at least the equal of Arkle since they demonstrated the versatility to win multiple Grade 1s over a wide variety of trips, whereas all Arkle did was lump weight around 3m plus <runsforcover>
Whoa, Oddy, whoa! I could bite onto that one- but my temporary denture wouldn't stand it! As regards Frankel, he doesn't necessarily need to prove versatility over different distances- his greatness is assured, thanks to his exploits at a mile. The fact that Brigadier won top races over 6-12 furlongs is testimony to his greatness/versatility, but that doesn't per se undermine Frankel. Everyone needs to make one's own assessment of Frankel and, when he retires- presumably at this season's end- my only slight reservation will be the lack of real quantity of top horses he has faced, compared with say, Brigadier Gerard. Notwithstanding he can only demolish what's up against him- and he certainly has done that! For me, his last race (against Farrh) cemented his reputation in my eyes, but I feel Bustino's view (that there will be "a furlong too far") will never happen in the campaign that's left for him, given the opposition he'll be likely to face.
We were very luck at the time to have two such wonderful horses at the same time in Brigadier Gerard and Mill Reef. I was only young but already into the racing. Personally I was a Mill Reef fan but it really was a golden age. I still remember the Rheingold/Roberto battle and being enthralled. I have never been a huge gambler, luckily, but watching these exchanges in my formative years really bonded me to the sport. Backing Snow Knight at 50-1 to win his Derby helped too though he shouldnt be mentioned alongside these greats. Along came Grundy and then I was really hooked, the most visually striking horse I have ever seen. Fond memories.
Both marvellous horses. I agree Mill Reef would have taken BG over 12f. At 10f I'd still side with BG except on anything worse than good to soft. Mill Reef was great in the wet. It was a disaster that the race never took place. I don't think we know how good Brigadier Gerard was at 8f. If a 4yo Brigadier Gerard ran against a 4yo Frankel I'd still back BG but it would be painfully difficult to choose. If a 3yo BG ran against a 3yo Frankel I'd back BG with more certainty. People may not agree but that's the way I'd see it.
The common view seems to be that Frankel hasn't beaten a great deal. I am far to young to remember the likes of Brigadier Gerard et al, however, are Excelebration, Canford Cliffs not fine horses in their own right who Frankel has made look distinctly ordinary? Excelebration's form figures if Frankel did not exist would be: 4111121111111, with 5 Group 1 wins to his name in the Moulin, QEII, Lockinge, Queen Anne and Marois. Canford Cliffs came into the Sussex Stakes having won 5 Group 1's on the bounce and taken the scalp of Goldikova last time. I am not claiming that either are all-time greats or anything but they are both very good milers who Frankel has dismissed with consummate ease. I expect him to do the same to whoever he faces at 10f and perhaps then the title of 'Greatest Ever' will be his.
Zen, I'm not disputing that Excelebration and Canford Cliffs are top horses- they may both have won a Guineas in some years. However, there's been no real depth to the quality of horses Frankel has beaten- culminating in the worst Sussex Stakes ever last time (two opponents and his pacemaker). Of course it doesn't undermine his quality, but it doesn't enhance it either. Your point about Excelebration proves it in a way. Without Frankel, Excelebration would have quite a record but the rest of them...well, enough said.
