06/29/2012 5:48PM

Letters to the Editor July 1

By DRF Readers
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Frankel's fine, but it takes more for greatness

The British Horseracing Authority recently gave Frankel a rating of 140 for his winning performance in the Queen Anne Stakes, the second-highest rating ever issued by the group. It is fair, however, to question whether the hype the horse is receiving is justly deserved.

First, his time of 1:37.85 was slower than the time posted by Goldikova in winning the 2010 edition of the Queen Anne Stakes in 1:37.74. Yet the rating surpasses the rating given to Goldikova.
Second, Frankel has beaten only one horse who could arguably be called world-class, when he defeated Canford Cliffs last season. His work in 2012, while scintillating, has hardly been challenging. Beating up on Excelebration, a mere one-time Group 1 winner, is hardly the stuff legends are made of.

Third, Frankel has yet to leave the friendly confines of his home country. Sure, many American horses who are truly great never venture out of the States, but racing in Europe is a different beast. Frankel has yet to match the feats of many of his contemporaries in traveling across the water in either direction and winning.

Juddmonte Farms, Frankel's owner and breeder, has a long history of campaigning its horses worldwide. If Frankel is to prove that he really is as great as hyped, then hopefully Juddmonte will take a more aggressive approach to the remaining campaign for Frankel. Beating up on the same old foes in England and being called great does not equate to actual greatness. Perhaps a trip to Longchamp or Santa Anita should be in order if we are to ever truly see "The Great Frankel."

Richard Ilharreguy - Sacramento, Calif.

nicola c More than 1 year ago
it wasn't good to soft when goldikova won in 2010 like it was in Frankels race, and why go to Santa Anita to race on dirt against chemical horses, if they had kept the pro ride he might of went over to run in the classic like Henry Cecil sent over twice over in 2009, i would like to see him travel too lets see how he goes at 1m2f first
Robin Dawson More than 1 year ago
Richard, you make good points. Frankel's progression is similar to that of Brigadier Gerrard, who gets a lower rating. But the latter beat My Swallow and Mill Reef, two exceptional milers, first time out in the 2000 Guineas and also went on to win over top class horses, going a mile and a quarter...even in the bottomless mud, the day he beat Rarity in The Champion Stakes. So, yes...I think that Frankel needs to win over 10 furlongs against top class company (So You Think, Cirrus Des Aigles etc.) at least 2 or 3 times before you can consider him to be the best. Personally, I think he's good enough to do this. But the only reservation that I continue to have is his rider, Queally, who is not top class and quite capable of screwing up.
Abu Mohammed More than 1 year ago
Milezinni...sadly I have to agree with you; but then I remember that Patrick Biancone ---he of the "cobra venom" fame won two" Arc d'Triomphe". Biancone was banned for life in Hong Kong and his rep is well known in the US where he has also done time. Is there or can there be a racing jurisdiction that is CLEAN?
milezinni More than 1 year ago
The Europeans will never bring their good horses to the US! Are you serious? I am sure no one seems to notice this, but ALL of our horses are on powerful, performance-enhancing drugs! We can't even produce stakes horses that can race without them!