Yep, this. Never been a Guineas like it. Having decided (how I regret that decision) not to go to Newmarket, I called my son in to the living room to watch, as I thought we'd either see a bubble burst or witness something special. What the world saw that day left me speachless, and every time I've watched it since I have to pinch myself. The best thing is, he improved from that. And now there's 2012, which I expect him to end on a OR of 141.
I don't know too much about the ratings system, or the comparing of form. But I haven't seen a better performance from the horse. Those who rate the horse have to factor in the form of other animals when accessing his final number. But for mine, I don't think another horse on the planet could have done what he did in the Guineas. I think others could have possibly matched his other runs though.
I'd call his Sussex Stakes victory at Goodwood a better run. It was Frankel's first time outside his own age group, and he simply demolished multiple Gp1 winner Canford Cliffs, a horse Richard Hannon said might have been the best he ever trained. Excuses were made for the latter afterwards, but imo he was undone in the first 1/2 mile trying to sustain fractions that for Frankel were effortless. By the time they reached the straight, a very good horse was staggering like a drunken sailor, whilst Frankel barely broke sweat.
I've never really been a big CC fan. He was certainly a wonderful horse, but I think a little over hyped by the stable. I think these trainers say a lot to promote a future stud career. CC obviously was classes above anything Frankel faced in the 3yo ranks, but I'll still stick with the Guineas Archer. But what do I know?
One Man winning the Champion Chase, and giving the finger to all those who said he would never win a big one at Cheltenham because he had failed to win a Gold Cup, and did not have the speed to win a CC. He just jumped them silly. It was one time I did shed a tear when he was so tragically killed at Aintree just a couple of weeks or so later. Hate Aintree, really do. Haafhd winning the Champion Stakes at Newmarket in 2004, showing he really did stay 1-1/4 miles. All Haafhd ever needed was a bit of cut in the ground, after getting stuck in a long hot Summer with its motorway ground conditions.
I went to YouTube looking for something to post here, something Australian. But I came across this gem. A horse concidered by a lot of knowledgeable people as the greatest of all time. I'd not seen this before, maybe others have, but for those who haven't, the link is below. Man o' War. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC86Jm5oiMc&feature=related
