For his book “The Wrong Horse” — a great collection of essays on racing —William Murray wrote an interesting and balanced article about Bobby Frankel. I’d recommend it to fans (of which I am one) and non-fans alike.
Frankel was a complex man–not quite the saint of some of the eulogies but no devil either. He was a consummate horseman and as deeply flawed as the rest of us.
May he rest in peace.
Thank you Summerly for posting this. All the negativity is really sad. I still remember him crying after Sightseek’s last race. He really seemed to care about his horses, and his staff as well, according to most reports. He was a true horseman and will be truly missed.
Amen Pronzini!
My understanding was he was completely estranged from his daughter Bethany and had no hand in her upbringing…her words…
And how can you drain a buise…its a bruise not a hematoma or abcess???
His record stands on its own.
I’m glad I read this thread AFTER the Mods. cleaned it up.
I didn’t know Mr. Frankel either, but a good friend of mine did. She never had a bad word to say about him, and she’s someone in the thick of things in the “industry”. I always admired him. Couldn’t wait to see one of his horses in the paddock, because I knew it would be turned out “to the nines”!
Congrats
Congrats to Humberto, Frankel’s longtime assistant(understatement of the year, something like 30 years…wow) Just saddled his first winner in his own name, from the Frankel barn. I’m sure Bobby is smiling down on you! Good job in a trying time!
Ventura performed a fitting tribute to her ex trainer today, hacked up easily in the G1 Matriarch stakes at Hollywood.
This has really touched me.
“He called me up and I got the feeling it was the goodbye phone call,” Juddmonte manager Garrett O’Rourke said. "He told me that he was scared and what he was going to do, not take anymore of the transfusions. Then he paused - that chokes anyone up - and he said, `Talk to Humberto (Frankel assistant Humberto Ascanio), we’re still going with Ventura, right? Just tell him two easy half-miles and she will be there.’
“He knew he was going in days, and still it was that important to him.”
[QUOTE=Kaleigh007;4501427]
Dick, I come from the school of thought that a leopard never changes it’s spots. Bobby was the same person I knew frm the 80’s and there are plenty out there just like him…don’t even get me going on that :no:[/QUOTE]
Sounds to me like you are only envious of someone who has worked hard to achieve a level of success that you apparently have not. Let me know when you are gasping your last breath so I can happily blog about what a hateful, abusive person you were. Your comments have been completely inappropriate and you should be ashamed of yourself.
Not ashamed at all actually. I knew the guy, didn’t just read about him in Bloodhorse or some other publication.
You really think you are the only one in this thread who can say that? 
Well that’s just the trouble. You should be ashamed for having comported yourself so disgracefully. If I thought you had any taste or class I’d be embarrassed for you. In disparaging a dead man you have done nothing but expose your own cowardice.
[QUOTE=Kaleigh007;4526826]
Not ashamed at all actually. I knew the guy, didn’t just read about him in Bloodhorse or some other publication.[/QUOTE]
You certainly are not the only one on this board who knew the man. And, regardless of my personal opinions of my dealings with him, I would not show the total lack of proper upbringing that you have in insulting a person who has just passed away. Not only should you be ashamed of yourself, but so should the people that raised you.
[QUOTE=Drvmb1ggl3;4526220]
Ventura performed a fitting tribute to her ex trainer today, hacked up easily in the G1 Matriarch stakes at Hollywood.[/QUOTE]
What a nice tribute. I wonder if they will leave horses with Ascanio long term?
Humberto had a double for Frankel: His horse won the Citation Mile, too,
