I was watching World of Sport when they showed Secretariat's Belmont. I was quite young, so I didn't really understand what I was seeing, but knew they wouldn't be showing it if it wasn't special. (For a while, I thought Spectacular Bid was a better horse, because from the highlights he seemed to do something far more amazing! I know a bit more now.....) Have to say, it beats me why people argue about this stuff. These are legends and I really don't care who's better than who.
True. Sea Bird's nonchalant brilliance in Derby and Arc, Mill Reef dancing nimbly away so often. Secretariat powering away in the Belmont, Frankel treating the guineas as a romp. Dancing brave romping after Shahrastani in the Derby. These are what we remember decades later. This is what the game is about.
couldn't agree more with you. I loved what Sea the Stars did, with a great economy of action and style, and I'm sure was capable of even better if he'd met better horses, but he didn't do anything that make you pick your jaw up off the ground. And really, that's why racing can still capture the imagination: something you see, but don't quite believe.
Shorter than 10 furlongs on good or better the Brigadier. Longer than 10 on good or softer Mill Reef. 10 exactly on good ground? Honestly who can say? Two absolute superstars. MR for me but who can say. The exciting thing about Frankel is that his name can be mentioned in the same sentence as the Brigadiers without it seeming silly and that can be said of very few horses.
If memory serves (and sometimes it doesn't) I think Mill Reef got a knock on his leg which is why he didn't show. (He broke his leg later on.) I don't like 'if onlys' but this is the one that'll haunt me always: Mill Reef would probably have won this as he loved soft ground, the Brigadier didn't; on firm I'd've backed BG.
Thanks for posting. It brings back memories of my first visit to England. I remember the hype of the possible meeting of Mill Reef and BG but MR was scratched because of the bog track I think, but I went anyway and had a great and profitable day. Also went to the Epsom Derby that year and backed the winner Roberto (same name as me).
I have the TV Times for that week, and they hype it up something rotten because of course this race was supposed to be the rematch between the Brigadier & Mill Reef, which sadly was never able to happen.
ComteLafon Says:
10/08/2011 6:46:20 AM
I was watching World of Sport when they showed Secretariat's Belmont. I was quite young, so I didn't really understand what I was seeing, but knew they wouldn't be showing it if it wasn't special. (For a while, I thought Spectacular Bid was a better horse, because from the highlights he seemed to do something far more amazing! I know a bit more now.....) Have to say, it beats me why people argue about this stuff. These are legends and I really don't care who's better than who.
tigerarmyrule Says:
10/08/2011 6:32:47 AM
True. Sea Bird's nonchalant brilliance in Derby and Arc, Mill Reef dancing nimbly away so often. Secretariat powering away in the Belmont, Frankel treating the guineas as a romp. Dancing brave romping after Shahrastani in the Derby. These are what we remember decades later. This is what the game is about.
ComteLafon Says:
7/08/2011 3:54:18 AM
couldn't agree more with you. I loved what Sea the Stars did, with a great economy of action and style, and I'm sure was capable of even better if he'd met better horses, but he didn't do anything that make you pick your jaw up off the ground. And really, that's why racing can still capture the imagination: something you see, but don't quite believe.
tigerarmyrule Says:
2/08/2011 7:53:15 AM
Shorter than 10 furlongs on good or better the Brigadier. Longer than 10 on good or softer Mill Reef. 10 exactly on good ground? Honestly who can say? Two absolute superstars. MR for me but who can say. The exciting thing about Frankel is that his name can be mentioned in the same sentence as the Brigadiers without it seeming silly and that can be said of very few horses.
ComteLafon Says:
28/06/2011 8:24:20 AM
If memory serves (and sometimes it doesn't) I think Mill Reef got a knock on his leg which is why he didn't show. (He broke his leg later on.) I don't like 'if onlys' but this is the one that'll haunt me always: Mill Reef would probably have won this as he loved soft ground, the Brigadier didn't; on firm I'd've backed BG.
Roberttow Says:
2/05/2011 3:18:06 PM
Thanks for posting. It brings back memories of my first visit to England. I remember the hype of the possible meeting of Mill Reef and BG but MR was scratched because of the bog track I think, but I went anyway and had a great and profitable day. Also went to the Epsom Derby that year and backed the winner Roberto (same name as me).
RobinCarmody Says:
27/12/2010 10:38:48 AM
I have the TV Times for that week, and they hype it up something rotten because of course this race was supposed to be the rematch between the Brigadier & Mill Reef, which sadly was never able to happen.