2012 has witnessed arguably three of the greatest racehorses to run under either Flat or National Hunt Rules. When Frankel ‘lit up Ascot’ recently and won his eleventh consecutive race, Timeform elevated his rating to 147 - surpassing Sea Bird, Brigadier Gerard, and Tudor Minstrel. Ironically, two of these three great horses were likewise ‘milers.’ Comparisons between these three top milers- from different generations- are somewhat odious, but doubtless their performances in winning their respective 2000 Guineas will live forever in the memory. This year has also seen antipodean sprinter, Black Caviar, win her 22nd consecutive race when narrowly prevailing to remain undefeated in The Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. Many observers were disappointed by the small margin of victory, but it seems churlish to constantly expect wide margin victories in order to maintain or enhance a horse’s reputation. After all, the other great horses mentioned above suffered reverses or blips in their career, but why should that undermine their wonderful performances and admirable consistency? The third great horse of 2012 ran under National Hunt Rules. In winning his 17th consecutive race and remaining unbeaten for almost three years, staying hurdler, Big Bucks, elevated himself to the pantheon of jump racing’s legends. His hurdling ability and amenability have improved race by race, and he’s been able not only to cope with the rigours demanded of the ‘winter game’ but also to withstand all challengers in responding to their different riding strategies, going, and his own rider’s varying tactics. He has always so much to give and a relatively untapped reserve- the sign of a truly great performer. However you rate the overall quality of Flat and National Hunt Racing’s current generation, the above three equine stars shine bright and give us an expectation and thrill each time they grace the racecourse. They also raise questions........... How do you rate each one of them? Do we tend to go overboard in our assessments- because we cry out for superstars? Yet the main question I’d like answered is.... Given the choice, which one would you like to own- and why?
Not Big Bucks, thanks. He's the best ever at running quite slowly for a long way without being able to jump a fence. Surely there's only one NH horse from last season who's entitled to wear the crown? Have you precluded Kauto Star because his last two Grade 1 wins both came in 2011? His achievements eclipse those of Big Bucks. Of the flat pair, I'm delighted that her owners sent her round the world to have a crack at putting the pommie sprinters in their place, and I certainly don't think less of her for "only" winning an Ascot Gp1 by half a length. But Black Caviar, like every other thoroughbred, has to bow before Frankel. I have personally never seen anything like him on a racecourse, and I'm pretty sure I never will. His destruction of last years' Guineas field, the way he got away with it at RA, what he did to Canford Cliffs in the Sussex, and an imperious victory on Champions day was enough to ensure legendary status. What a bonus then, that they brought him back at 4. And there may be more to come at 1m2f,if he doesn't scare everything else off.
Archers, I'm not undermining Kauto Star- or any other horse, but I have simply chosen these three horses based on their fantastic winning runs over a prolonged period; and I'm not including Big Bucks for his previous chasing exploits- rather for his ability as a staying hurdler. Having said that, it's forthright opinions I want, and I welcome your views.
Good thread John. For me I think I would have loved to have owned these three: 1. Dubai Millennium Top top horse and having watched many videos of him on youtube is now becoming one of my favourite racehorses. 2. Sea The Stars How could you not want to own this horse? Was a true champion, and a really good looking horse to boot. 3. Denman Head-strong sort, but had a massive heart and he was absolutely top class too. John - I think this generation of sport in general cries out for superstars, not just horse racing. We're always striving to label the 'next big thing'. Horse racing is no different - and I personally think we are currently blessed with some absolute superstars. Surely as breeding lines evolve, new fantastic racehorses emerge, horses will be better and better over time. Soon we will have the progeny of Sea The Stars, Harbinger, Frankel, Canford Cliffs and many, many more. This can only be good for the sport, and who knows the Frankel x Black Caviar/Sea The Stars x Zarkava offspring could be the new 'best' in years to come!
My tongue was in my cheek a little re Big Bucks, Tamerlo, although I would still place Kauto Star's acheivements way above his. You also asked the question "do we go overboard in our assessments - because we cry out for superstars?" I think there's some truth in that, though when we do come across potentially great horses we tend to denigrate them, and compare them unfavourably to the greats of the past. Hence Best Mate being subjected to derogatory comparisons to Arkle. Three Gold Cups wasn't enough for some people, Hen Knight's protege was denied the mantle of greatness because he didn't run once a fortnight, giving away lumps of weight in handicaps. It takes a hell of a lot for any horse to win over a rather cynical racing public, in my view. So whilst we are always crying out for superstars, we tend to knock them down when we find them. Don't think there are any doubters left where Frankel is concerned though.
Nam, interesting that you've picked out three different horses. Why not! There are many horses I would have loved to own, including those I've posted above. From the Flat, I think Dahlia would have given great pleasure, given her fantastic record over five years. I would also loved to have owned the great stayer Trelawny who also won top hurdles. From the jumps, Arkle would have been too much to hope for, but I fell in love with little Bula - I only saw him in the flesh once, when narrowly beaten under 12st 7lbs by Neville Crump's Cancello, in a big chase at Haydock Park. He wasn't built to be a chaser, but he'd few equals over hurdles.
Archers, I can understand why you rate Kauto Star over Big Bucks. I can't disagree that Kauto had greater versatility- and I think that's a quality of a very high order, and arguably better than Frankel's, Big Bucks' or Black Caviar's. However, in his class , I can't agree Kauto is way above Big Bucks. As a staying hurdler, he'd stand against any horse in history, in my opinion.
Baracouda would have given Big Bucks a race though Tam. And the exaggerated waiting tactics Thierry Doumen used to employ on him might just have turned the result in his favour.
Archers, no doubt Baracouda would have given him a race, but would Big Bucks have run the finish out of him? The trouble with Big Bucks is....how good is he really? We may never know. I've thought for a while that "catching him napping" was the best way to beat him, but Scudamore tried it twice; so did the Irish mare earlier this year. He just pulled out a bit more. Personally, the only staying hurdler I'd fancy to beat him was possibly George Todd's Nosey from the sixties. He had injuries in his career, but what a turn of foot he had at the end of three miles. He won "the old World Hurdle/Stayers Hurdle" doing cartwheels. But it's all guesswork/possibilities, like comparing Frankel with Brigadier Gerard or Tudor Minstrel. Hard to say, even though I think Brigadier beat better horses than Frankel.
He actually surpassed Sea Bird, Brigadier Gerard and Tudor Minstrel with a Timeform rating of 147. I will make a more constructive contribution later.
With Frankel you get to own a marvellous animal in the same way as Big bucks is a marvellous animal but with Frankel you get to become a multi-millionaire. Pretty easy decision that one and i prefer NH.
Of the three mentioned I would want to own Frankel, however if I could be associated with any horse I would have to choose Monet's Garden, just a wonderful story and a brilliant horse to watch when at his best.
If I was looking at it from a financial point of view, which I would do. It would be Frankel, as he's worth the most.* But from a sentimental perspective I'd choose Big Bucks all day long.* If I could of owned any horse though, from a sentimental point of view it would have been Denman!*
