I wonder how Frankel would go against Dr Fager? In my view, two very similar style of horses - all out 1 mile sprinters with tremendous acceleration, who never hold back.
Not by racing enthusiasts. Dr Fager is probably amongst the best for purists. He was consistant and broke the world record. I have seen a lot of horses, and Dr Fager was the best one I have seen. I liked Il Tempo's win in the Wellington Cup also. I was at all three Cox Plates that Kingston Town won, but that didn't measure Dr Fager or Il Tempo either.
older horses; meaning 4 and 5 year olds are more mature and stronger. they should beat a younger horse. Imagine what MOW or Sec might have done had they raced in those years. the records they already have and still hold would still be topped by their own merits.
Interesting - Dr. Fager is indeed an extraordinaryly talented & determined racehorse. I love this video! Secretariat, of course, was astonishing. - you make a good point: Secretariat's Trip Crwn was watched on TV by the entire Nation! It would be fascinating to see these Traditional Greats race together!
The amazing thing about this is that DF was eased slightly towards the finish. There was probably another fifth of a second in the tank. Definitely the best mile horse on dirt ever.
He was the only horse who ever held four titles in one year, 1968, when he was named the Horse of the Year, Champion Handicap horse, Champion Sprinter, and co-Champion Grass horse.
Champion SPRINTER plus setting a world's record for the mile, which still stands today carrying 134 pounds !!! Damascus only beat him by sending a stablemate 'rabbit' out as well.
I've watched this film many times over the years but I just noticed that the 2:03-4 mark you can hear clearly hear someone in the background say "this is a racehorse." Indeed.
Dr Fager, Kelso, John Henry etc are underrated because they did not win any of the Triple Crown races. Not saying that is justification, it's just a fact. Those that win TC events are put on a pedestal, but horses that carry weight and run for numerous years - beating younger horses - don't receive the accolades they deserve. Running world records carrying top weight is as good as it gets.
Marketing is important I agree with you. In Australia, Phar Lap is #1 in the minds of every non racing fan purely because he has the greatest story. He died young, ran during the depression etc. Not doubting his greatness at all, but he has been hyped unlike any other racehorse from this country. I feel Dr Fager has been forgotten to an extent. In my view I cannot split Fager and Secretariat.
They're all in, flag is up, and they're off. Dr. Fager on the outside going to the lead, Hedevar is right there, so is Kentucky Sherry, Angelico, along the rail Racing Room. Now they move out of the mile chute, Kentucky Sherry along the rail Angelico, between horses Hedevar on the outside third, Racing Room fourth, Dr. Fager out in the middle of the track in fifth, R. Thomas now up along the rail fifth, Dr. Fager racing sixth, High Tribute in seventh, Info racing in eighth,
Dr Fager's owners should have done something more in the Marketing department. As he was neither giant sized nor grey coloured it's simply a little hard to pick him out from a distance. He needed a "mask of death" to impress his public and intimidate his rivals, like Secretariat's blue and white checkered one! I think he deserves higher than his #6 rating.
You should. I have seen both Dr Fager and Frankel running. Frankel has not had much competition, but is unbeaten. As far as the crowd is concerned, Frankel has nothing like that electric atmosphere surrounding Dr Fager. For me, Dr Fager is the best I have seen. Kingston Town was a good one also. As far as English horses aree concerned, my favorite was Troy. He had a turn of speed also.
All other factors being the same, grass is the faster surface. However, races in the UK are often run on courses where there small changes in elevation that can effect time; Frankel times are best assessed by comparing them to past course and race records.
I dont really watch american racing, but are times much quicker on dirt than grass?
In the UK now we have an inbeatable miler named Frankel and he only gets times of 1.37
According to Bloodhorse Publications, Dr Fager ran that 2nd quarter down the backstretch in an extraordinary 20.6 sec. The Dr had sprinter speed coupled with endurance. His greatest weakness was he couldn't be rated and his bursts of speed made him more vulnerable at longer distances, especially when rabbits were entered. Still, three times under 2 minutes at 1 1/4 miles while carrying 130 lbs or more isn't too shabby.
Look how he went after the leaders on the backside, like a demon possessed. And then still have the gas in the tank to excelerate like a rocket away from the field in the stretch. Amazing race by one of the greatest ever.
eckythimble Says:
10/07/2012 8:50:13 AM
I wonder how Frankel would go against Dr Fager? In my view, two very similar style of horses - all out 1 mile sprinters with tremendous acceleration, who never hold back.
SugarTomAppleRoger Says:
29/06/2012 1:45:15 AM
Not by racing enthusiasts. Dr Fager is probably amongst the best for purists. He was consistant and broke the world record. I have seen a lot of horses, and Dr Fager was the best one I have seen. I liked Il Tempo's win in the Wellington Cup also. I was at all three Cox Plates that Kingston Town won, but that didn't measure Dr Fager or Il Tempo either.
80cathryn Says:
28/06/2012 8:44:56 AM
older horses; meaning 4 and 5 year olds are more mature and stronger. they should beat a younger horse. Imagine what MOW or Sec might have done had they raced in those years. the records they already have and still hold would still be topped by their own merits.
nin12dog Says:
13/05/2012 3:34:10 AM
Interesting - Dr. Fager is indeed an extraordinaryly talented & determined racehorse. I love this video! Secretariat, of course, was astonishing. - you make a good point: Secretariat's Trip Crwn was watched on TV by the entire Nation! It would be fascinating to see these Traditional Greats race together!
tigerboy1966 Says:
6/05/2012 2:47:43 AM
The amazing thing about this is that DF was eased slightly towards the finish. There was probably another fifth of a second in the tank. Definitely the best mile horse on dirt ever.
eduardrosar Says:
30/04/2012 1:50:24 PM
For me, this is the second greatest performance in horse racing history (only after Secretariat's Belmont Stakes). What if The Doctor was challenged?
escrowrick Says:
7/03/2012 8:47:06 AM
Dr. Fager's 1968 campaign may be the greatest year a race horse has ever had.
c5ster Says:
28/02/2012 11:02:32 AM
He was the only horse who ever held four titles in one year, 1968, when he was named the Horse of the Year, Champion Handicap horse, Champion Sprinter, and co-Champion Grass horse. Champion SPRINTER plus setting a world's record for the mile, which still stands today carrying 134 pounds !!! Damascus only beat him by sending a stablemate 'rabbit' out as well.
711ATOM Says:
31/01/2012 3:35:27 PM
I've watched this film many times over the years but I just noticed that the 2:03-4 mark you can hear clearly hear someone in the background say "this is a racehorse." Indeed.
dunsta69 Says:
8/01/2012 12:40:21 PM
Dr Fager, Kelso, John Henry etc are underrated because they did not win any of the Triple Crown races. Not saying that is justification, it's just a fact. Those that win TC events are put on a pedestal, but horses that carry weight and run for numerous years - beating younger horses - don't receive the accolades they deserve. Running world records carrying top weight is as good as it gets.
schardy80 Says:
16/12/2011 6:32:13 PM
Marketing is important I agree with you. In Australia, Phar Lap is #1 in the minds of every non racing fan purely because he has the greatest story. He died young, ran during the depression etc. Not doubting his greatness at all, but he has been hyped unlike any other racehorse from this country. I feel Dr Fager has been forgotten to an extent. In my view I cannot split Fager and Secretariat.
andtheyreoff Says:
1/11/2011 6:24:58 AM
They're all in, flag is up, and they're off. Dr. Fager on the outside going to the lead, Hedevar is right there, so is Kentucky Sherry, Angelico, along the rail Racing Room. Now they move out of the mile chute, Kentucky Sherry along the rail Angelico, between horses Hedevar on the outside third, Racing Room fourth, Dr. Fager out in the middle of the track in fifth, R. Thomas now up along the rail fifth, Dr. Fager racing sixth, High Tribute in seventh, Info racing in eighth,
MrMiginsal Says:
24/10/2011 3:37:57 AM
UNBELIEVABLE!!! A great, great horse, im my opinion the third greatest racehorse of all time behind Man o War and Secretariat, clos behind Citation
eckythimble Says:
29/09/2011 11:09:27 PM
Dr Fager's owners should have done something more in the Marketing department. As he was neither giant sized nor grey coloured it's simply a little hard to pick him out from a distance. He needed a "mask of death" to impress his public and intimidate his rivals, like Secretariat's blue and white checkered one! I think he deserves higher than his #6 rating.
SugarTomAppleRoger Says:
4/09/2011 5:38:15 PM
You should. I have seen both Dr Fager and Frankel running. Frankel has not had much competition, but is unbeaten. As far as the crowd is concerned, Frankel has nothing like that electric atmosphere surrounding Dr Fager. For me, Dr Fager is the best I have seen. Kingston Town was a good one also. As far as English horses aree concerned, my favorite was Troy. He had a turn of speed also.
711ATOM Says:
3/09/2011 4:43:55 PM
All other factors being the same, grass is the faster surface. However, races in the UK are often run on courses where there small changes in elevation that can effect time; Frankel times are best assessed by comparing them to past course and race records.
LowerGwladys Says:
30/07/2011 10:58:00 PM
I dont really watch american racing, but are times much quicker on dirt than grass? In the UK now we have an inbeatable miler named Frankel and he only gets times of 1.37
BE109 Says:
19/07/2011 3:42:58 AM
No sir it was not too shabby at all. Fager was something special!!!
sl7293 Says:
17/07/2011 2:30:53 AM
According to Bloodhorse Publications, Dr Fager ran that 2nd quarter down the backstretch in an extraordinary 20.6 sec. The Dr had sprinter speed coupled with endurance. His greatest weakness was he couldn't be rated and his bursts of speed made him more vulnerable at longer distances, especially when rabbits were entered. Still, three times under 2 minutes at 1 1/4 miles while carrying 130 lbs or more isn't too shabby.
dahoss65 Says:
13/07/2011 5:50:09 AM
Look how he went after the leaders on the backside, like a demon possessed. And then still have the gas in the tank to excelerate like a rocket away from the field in the stretch. Amazing race by one of the greatest ever.