Frankel is not the greatest

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Horseracing

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Hello punters!

On Saturday last the famous Ascot Heath racecourse saw the swansong run of Frankel, when he completed his career of fourteen races undefeated. This was probably his most severe test of the lot, for every possible obstacle was there to be conquered, not alone some of the best horses in training, but also on ground that was completely alien to Frankel's style of galloping.

His jockey, Tom Queally, obviously well aware of the job that needed to be done, took his time early on in the race, but kept his mount within a sensible sight of the leaders, until turning in, when he eased Frankel to the outside, and within four strides was right on terms with the leaders.

Queally sent Frankel on about two out, and from then on was always in command, going on to record a stunning victory with the utmost of ease.

Obviously, reams have been written about this horse ever since he first set his hooves on a racecourse, and glowing accolades have been showered on him following each of his exciting victories.

Frankel has been referred to by many of the leading pundits as a candidate for the title, ‘the greatest horse of all time’, but, frankly, I personally think that this is just a little bit off the wall, for a number of very important reasons.

The leading reason would be that he never did run outside the environs of England, which immediately kept him away from running against many of the champions of the European and the American racing worlds.

He is not an English Derby winner, although one might argue that he could have won it if he was allowed to run in it. How would he measure up to a horse like Sea The Stars, who won a streak of the better races that were on offer in Ireland, England, and France, and taking on all-comers while he was about it. How would he compare with a horse like Nijinsky, who was the last Triple Crown winner in England during the 1970 season? Since I do know that comparisons can sometimes be odious, it would be well nigh impossible to say which was the greatest horse, for, along with those I have already mentioned, I'm quite sure that there are others that you yourself could bring to mind whose records would compare favourably with that of Frankel.

Naturally enough, Frankel will always be dear to English hearts, but greatest horse of all time? I would have my own reservations.

Strange as it might seem, there was another star gleaming at that Ascot meeting last week. This was Irish trainer Dermot Weld, who completed a brilliant double on the day, with Rite of Passage in the Qipco Cup, and Sapphire in the Fillies Stakes, both under the guidance of Pat Smullen.

Dermot Weld, although he seems at times under the large shadow of the Ballydoyle consortium, still continues to have these successful raids away from Ireland, throughout every year, in both codes in England, and regular wins both in Australia and the USA.

Dermot Weld was born on the 29 July 1948, the son of the Curragh trainer Charlie Weld, and of course, from an early age, Dermot was destined to spend his whole life involved with horses and racing. He did take time out when he was young to become a qualified veterinarian, which is a good attribute for any trainer to have.

In his time he was a brilliant rider, and was leading amateur on a number of occasions. Though he had many offers, he never went into the professional ranks, but still rode many important winners, both here, and across the pond. He always found Galway to be a lucky place for him, and rode many winners over the Ballybrit switchback circuit.

When he retired from riding, and went full-time training at his Roswell House yard at the Curragh, he never lost his affinity and affection for the Galway track, and has been leading trainer at its Summer Festival on umpteen occasions. The cant every year at the Galway Festival is, ‘follow Weld and you will be okay’.

In his career as a trainer, he has won 17 classics, English/Irish combined, two Melbourne Cups, with Vintage Crop in 1993, and Media Puzzle in 2000, an American Derby/Oaks double, and a Belmont Stakes win in 1990 with Go and Go.

Now in his early sixties, Dermot Weld, if his recent successes are to go by, has lost none of his hunger for winners, and, he, with stable jockey Pat Smullen, form the winning combination that seems to be irresistible. I would honestly say that there are very few trainers who can prepare a horse for a big race as well as Dermot, and his reign will go on for a little while yet.

Bad ground continues

Obviously, you will have noticed, in recent weeks, how the continually bad ground has decimated fields all over the islands, but I do suppose that we will just have bear with it and do the best we can.

We begin this week at the early start meeting at Newcastle on Friday, where there is a lively card. My three for the day are Gingers Lad, in the Freebetting Chase, Nodforms Violet in the Logistics Chase, and Royal Mile in the Scalini's Chase. On now to Saturday, where my hopeful three are at Aintree, Merigo in the Veterans Chase, Wild Rhubarb in the Novices Handicap, and Rebel Dancer in the Lucky 15 Chase.

The Selection Box.

Fri: Newc:-  12-00:- Gingers Lad, 1-30--Nodforms Violet, 2-05--Royal Mile.

Sat: Ain.:-  2-25--Merigo,  4-00--Wild Rhubarb,  4-35--Rebel Dancer.