Blushing Groom ? I know Sir Henry Cecil mentioned the French trained colt after Frankel won the Sussex, but I think his memory was playing tricks. Blushing Groom was a good horse, yes, but a great one ? Nah, no way !
If you take in to consideration the timeform rating of Mill Reef, then surely this performance must rate as one of, if not the best single performance ever.
Certainly at level weights.
Some are quick to mention the Roberto performance at York!
Well! I would agree ! Only the fact that Roberto was in receipt of nearly a stone in weight, detracts a little from the overall performance for me. As outstanding as it was. As was the Brigadiers performance
When you look at it.
Sea the Stars the best horse ever?
No way can I have that, he might just get into my top 20
I'd have all of these ahead of him for sure.
Brigadier Gerard, Nijinsky, Mill Reef, Blushing Groom, Montjeu, Dancing Brave, Frankel, El Gran Senor, Shergar, Dubai Millenium and no doubt a few others.
Note Nijinsky's full brother Minsky turning it in as soon as Lester gave him a smack - what a total dog. Makes you realise what a miracle maker Vincent was, training a full brother to that dog to win a triple crown.......
I think it is fair to say that AS A MILER Frankel has shown himself comparable to the Brigadier. However as an all round racehorse he has a lot still to prove.....On the Brigadier V Mill Reef point I think over 10 furlongs it could have gone either way. Both absolute champs. BG clearly superior over a mile but but MR a test for anything at further.
I think Frankel is a terrific horse, and with a rating of 142, Timeform would seem to agree. I'm not sure he's proved himself as another Brigadier just yet. Let's wait and see how he does at the QEII stakes next month and how he trains on as a 4-y-o.
I respect your opinion mrnonch, however I would of course have my house on the Brigadier against any horse up to 10 furlongs! I absolutely adore Frankel and he is without doubt shaping up to be right up there With The very best ever!
He is amazing, but if Frankel can come back as a four year old and do what the Brigadier did, then were all in for treat!
I'm sure my friend Mr Mercer would have a few words to say about this point!
It's always going to be conjecture, but I think Frankel would have beaten him over a mile- any further than that, have your house on BG! I've seen both horses, and just think Frankel has the edge. Either way, they both are great horses, but , unfortunately, I don't think Frankel will stay much further than a mile, thus preventing him from being rated alongside the likes of Sea The Stars- In my opinion, the best horse ever.
Mill Reef was a superstar in his own right, and it is fortunate that Brigadier Gerard never met him over a mile and quarter..
..fortunate for Mill Reef.
Without question the Brigadier would have beaten Mill Reef up to ten furlongs on decent racing ground ! Joe Mercer told me that personally ! and who am I to argue!
Of course I'am biased being a BG fan but regardless, his record stands him alone at the top of a long list of great horses.
The Brigadier for me will never be bettered as a champion what he achieved in not 1 not 2 but 3 seasons was truely outstanding. Group 1 winner at 6, 8,10 and 12 ferlongs is also truely outstanding. Who was the better racehorse him or Mill Reef? I have always been of the opinion that Mill Reef only would have stood a chance of beating the Brigadier if they met over 12 ferlongs. People forget Mill Reef was never short of pace as his 10 length 6 ferlong Gymcrack romp of 1970 proved.
Can anyone realistically say that the Brigadier looked like being caught by Mill Reef in another 440 yards ?
I rather doubt it !
Simply the greatest miler of all time.
Who happened to be good enough to win a King George as well!
He is also the highest rated 4 year old ever!
ThefightingCelt Says:
12/07/2012 11:25:40 PM
Blushing Groom ? I know Sir Henry Cecil mentioned the French trained colt after Frankel won the Sussex, but I think his memory was playing tricks. Blushing Groom was a good horse, yes, but a great one ? Nah, no way !
shaffi1 Says:
11/06/2012 7:26:13 AM
If you take in to consideration the timeform rating of Mill Reef, then surely this performance must rate as one of, if not the best single performance ever. Certainly at level weights. Some are quick to mention the Roberto performance at York! Well! I would agree ! Only the fact that Roberto was in receipt of nearly a stone in weight, detracts a little from the overall performance for me. As outstanding as it was. As was the Brigadiers performance When you look at it.
Delroy444 Says:
25/05/2012 9:43:59 PM
Sea the Stars the best horse ever? No way can I have that, he might just get into my top 20 I'd have all of these ahead of him for sure. Brigadier Gerard, Nijinsky, Mill Reef, Blushing Groom, Montjeu, Dancing Brave, Frankel, El Gran Senor, Shergar, Dubai Millenium and no doubt a few others.
quick46 Says:
11/03/2012 7:03:59 PM
Note Nijinsky's full brother Minsky turning it in as soon as Lester gave him a smack - what a total dog. Makes you realise what a miracle maker Vincent was, training a full brother to that dog to win a triple crown.......
tigerarmyrule Says:
16/10/2011 6:56:39 AM
I think it is fair to say that AS A MILER Frankel has shown himself comparable to the Brigadier. However as an all round racehorse he has a lot still to prove.....On the Brigadier V Mill Reef point I think over 10 furlongs it could have gone either way. Both absolute champs. BG clearly superior over a mile but but MR a test for anything at further.
december2364 Says:
12/08/2011 4:48:20 AM
I think Frankel is a terrific horse, and with a rating of 142, Timeform would seem to agree. I'm not sure he's proved himself as another Brigadier just yet. Let's wait and see how he does at the QEII stakes next month and how he trains on as a 4-y-o.
shaffi1 Says:
29/07/2011 4:18:37 AM
I respect your opinion mrnonch, however I would of course have my house on the Brigadier against any horse up to 10 furlongs! I absolutely adore Frankel and he is without doubt shaping up to be right up there With The very best ever! He is amazing, but if Frankel can come back as a four year old and do what the Brigadier did, then were all in for treat! I'm sure my friend Mr Mercer would have a few words to say about this point!
MrNonch1 Says:
29/07/2011 2:26:06 AM
It's always going to be conjecture, but I think Frankel would have beaten him over a mile- any further than that, have your house on BG! I've seen both horses, and just think Frankel has the edge. Either way, they both are great horses, but , unfortunately, I don't think Frankel will stay much further than a mile, thus preventing him from being rated alongside the likes of Sea The Stars- In my opinion, the best horse ever.
december2364 Says:
24/07/2011 6:25:47 PM
Mill Reef was a superstar in his own right, and it is fortunate that Brigadier Gerard never met him over a mile and quarter.. ..fortunate for Mill Reef.
shaffi1 Says:
6/06/2011 4:38:13 AM
Without question the Brigadier would have beaten Mill Reef up to ten furlongs on decent racing ground ! Joe Mercer told me that personally ! and who am I to argue! Of course I'am biased being a BG fan but regardless, his record stands him alone at the top of a long list of great horses.
bluemanc43 Says:
5/06/2011 7:11:39 AM
The Brigadier for me will never be bettered as a champion what he achieved in not 1 not 2 but 3 seasons was truely outstanding. Group 1 winner at 6, 8,10 and 12 ferlongs is also truely outstanding. Who was the better racehorse him or Mill Reef? I have always been of the opinion that Mill Reef only would have stood a chance of beating the Brigadier if they met over 12 ferlongs. People forget Mill Reef was never short of pace as his 10 length 6 ferlong Gymcrack romp of 1970 proved.
shaffi1 Says:
4/06/2011 6:49:05 AM
Can anyone realistically say that the Brigadier looked like being caught by Mill Reef in another 440 yards ? I rather doubt it ! Simply the greatest miler of all time. Who happened to be good enough to win a King George as well! He is also the highest rated 4 year old ever!
chuckemeade Says:
21/03/2011 10:05:57 AM
Personally Brigadier Gerard was the greatest racehorse I've seen. Easily beat Mill Reef 3 lenghts without having a tune up race outstanding!!