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Top British racehorses of all time in order of merit excluding Irish horses and French horses.Only those trained in England.
1.Frankel
When racing he looked like a manifestation of the divine as though God sent him to race.Defined the thoroughbred as a racing machine at ‘its ultimate pinnacle.No adjective could do justice to the superiority he asserted over his rivals or his invincibilty.Upto 10 furlongs no horse has ever graced the turf in such a majestic fashion.Frankel may not have won over a mile and a half but over a mile he was more emphatic that what Sea Bird,Sea the Stars or Mill Reef were over distance of a mile and a half.At the finish he always resembled an emperor leading a victory parade.To me,justified his timeform ranking of 147,above Sea Bird.Frankel would force. a handicapper to devise a new system and make a new set of rules.Was stretched only once in his entire career.
The manner he vanquished Canford Cliffs in the 2011 or the 2000 Guineas surpassed the best of any superstar ever.In The Guineas he was 15 lengths abreast for most of the race,prevailing by five lengths at the end in an exercise canter.I had the privilege of seeing him win at York in 2012,where I witnessed divinty before my very eyes.
I have to admit that Frankel did not prove himself in middle-distances like Brigadier Gerard and over a mile and a half may not have been the equal of a Sea Bird or even Dancing Brave.He also faced easier oppostion than Mill Reef,Brigadier Gerard and certainly Dancing Brave.
2.Mill Reef
In 1971 Mill Reef skimmed the turf to become the only horse ever to win the Epsom Derby,Eclipse,King George and Arc.Poetry in motion at it’s zenith,with his feet hardly touching the ground.The opposition was mercilessly crushed like flour grounded in a mill but with strides posessing the grace of the touches of a painters brush. At Epsom he simply cruised to the front with the most remorseless ease to win by 2 lengths.He decimated rivals in the King George like no colt before winning by a long-looking six lengths.In The eclipse he trounced the class French colt Caro.At Longchamp Mill Reef penetrated a gap that looked impregnable and surged through in majestic style to win by three lengths from the high class French Filly,Pistol Packer.
Sadly the racing world could never witness the historic clash between Brigadier Gerard and Mill Reef in 1972.He was hard pressed by Homeric in the Coronation Cup but in the Prix Ganay he devoured his rivals mercilessly,like a boxer delivering a knockout punch. No doubt Mill Reef overshadowed the Brigadier in 1971 but in 1972 the Gerard was the ultimate champion.A racing accident in the training grounds curtailed his career,arguably costing Mill Reef another King George and Arc.I feel Mill Reef still excercized greater level of superiority than the Brigadierover rivals in his wins.Unlike many greats,Mill Reef was a champion in heavy and firm going.No British colt had won middle distance races against older horses by such a high avergae margin.In his best wins he made good horses look like leaves tossed in a gale.I have not seen a middle distance horse throw his rivals into oblivion after hitting the front as consistently as Mill Reef.
3.Brigadier Gerard
Strong claims of being the best British racehorse ever who in addition to his great accomplishments over a mile,won some spectacular races over middle distances.Won a record 15 races in succession.His vanquishing of Mill Reef in the 2000 Guineas was close to the most impressive win in the Century and no miler till then came so close to the perfect thourougbred racing machine over a mile as the Brigadier.He annexed the top mile races like the Sussex,St James Palace and Queen Elizabeth stakes like an invincible king plundering kingdom after Kingdom.However made to run for his life in the Champion stakes where he was given a tough battle by rarity on soft ground.Brigadier Gerard did not relish soft going which was revealed by his margin of win sin heavy going.In the 1972 King George his sheer class enabled him to prevail from Parnell.Puzzingly he was defeated by Roberto in the 1972 Benson and Hedges gold cup which proved that he was not at his best at a mile and a half.
Statistically Arguably the equal of Frankel and better than Mill Reef.However I feel unlike Mill Reef he was not at his best on both firm and heavy going and conquered inferior opposition to Mill Reef.
4.Dancing Brave
No British colt could equal Dancing Brave’s finishing speed which was a manifestation of thoroughbred acceleration at it’s supreme height.He would win off the pace like no racehorse ever.
Few colts have ever won a 200 Guineas with the consummate essay as Dancing Brave did or the Eclipse stakes.The unluckiest Epsom Derby loser with Greville Starkey’s riding tactics virtually obliterating the colt from any chance of winning the race,keeping hi almost last at the bend.Neverthless he was majestic in defeat,revealing dazzling speed f 22.7 seconds in the last 2 furlongs -fastest ever in a Derby.
In the Prix De l’Arc de Triomphe Dancing Brave took thoroubred bio-mechanics to height of divinty,winning in record time.When the colt set out to make his bid in the last furlong he gave the sensation of a completely new race starting ,as though a divine intervention took place. In the manner of a classic surgical operation of an army he cut through the strongest field ever in the history of the Arc.No colt conquered such strong opposition as Dancing Brave like Bering, Shahrastani,Tripytich,Shardari,Green Desert,Arcehnango and Darara.
Not at his best on soft ground like Mill Reef and could not stay more than a mile and a half.as shown in the King George.Still on raw ability on firm ground arguably the best middle-distance horse ever after Sea Bird.When he reached the front he could toy with his rivals more than any British colt.Overall,not as versatile or temperamentally strong as Mill Reef.
5.Hyperion
A temperamental colt whose success owed a lot to the patient handling of trainer George Lambton.No colt has won the St Leger in such a superlative manner .He won the Epsom Derby in a then track record time by what was morally six lengths from King Salmon.Beat opponents who were top calls like Thouber and Herriot in the Leger.When you see him on video you know why he is rated as a superstar.Proved his metal at Stud being the most successful-sire of his era.
6.Shergar
Never has any colt won big races with such remorseless ease as Shergar did in 1981.He took supremacy over rivals in sport to divine regions.His majestic 10 length win in the Epsom Derby was a mere procession like an emperor leading a victory march..Sadly Shergar was defeated in the St Leger ,being past his peak by Autumn.Arguably Shergar’s opponents were not in the class faced by Mill Reef or Dancing Brave.Still ha he won the Arc may have bee ranked alongside Sea Bird.
7.Pretty Polly
Majestically strode on the turf in the manner of an invincible queen annexing territory after Territory.Beaten only one in her career by Bachelor Buttons.Won 22 out her 24 races,including the 1000 Guinnes in record time and the Oaks and St.Leger.In somewhat tragic circumstances was beaten in the Ascot Gold cup having a boil in her stomach and in the Prix de Conceil Muncipal having a sudden jockey change and bad journey.
8.Dubai Millenium
For sheer virtuosity or domination of rivals Dubai Millenium’s Dubai World cup win was close to the very top.He won by six lengths from Behrens,in record time.Later in the Prince of Wales Stakes he mercilessly crushed Sendawar by a margin of 8 lengths.In 10 furlong races he would blaze like a streak of lightning,displaying spectacular acceleration. He could not stay a mile and a half and was beaten in the Derby.Sadly perished very early at stud.
9.Tudor Minstrel
Revealed invincibility of a miler at its supreme height .Mercilessly crushed opposition in the 2000 Guineas.Beaten over 10 furlongs in the Eclipse stakes.Close to he bets winner ever of the 2000 Guinneas.
10.Sceptre
Only filly ever in racing history to win the 1000 Guinneas,2000 Guinneas,Oaks and St Leger which almost takes sporting achievement to ultimate pinnacle of glory.A bruised foot arguably cost her a victory in the Derby.
11.Ormonde
Unbeaten in all his starts inclusive of a triple crow which gives him a permanent place in Racing’s hall of fame.He won the Guineas and leger in a mere canter,as though running in a practice gallop.Defeated The Brad by a length and ahalf in the Derby .Won the St.James Palace Stakes and Hardwicke stakes on successive days.Never in racing was a result such a foregone conclusion.
12.Crepello
Won the Guineas and Derby with a consummate ease or authority rarely revealed on a British racetrack.In The Derby defeated Balymoss with disdain,who went on to win the Irish Derby.King George and Arc.A genuine stayer who was prevented from running in the St.Leger and thus capturing the elusive triple crown,because of an injury.
13.Pebbles
Crowned her career with a sensational win in the Breeders cup,emulating the great Mare Dahlia.Score remarkable victories in the 1000 Guinneas,Sandown Mile,Eclipse Stakes and Champion stakes before achieving a her final crowning moment over the Atlantic.Endowed with acceleration power rarely seen in great fillies which compensated for her lack of staying power.Spectacularly defeated Mies-El-Reem by 3 lengths to win the Guinneas,the best margin for 11 years.In the Eclipse Stakes it overpowered the Arc winner Rainbow Quest becoming the 1st filly to win the Eclipse Stakes for 99 years of its existence.Finally in the Breeders cup it sliced through a gap with most surgical precision to overpower Strawberry Road.
14.Abernant
Endowed with speed of lightning ,being head and shoulders ahead of any sprinter for decades.Registered 14 win sin 17 starts,sauntering over his rivals with remote ease.Won the July Cup,King George V Stakes and the Nunthorpre Stakes twice in succession.Exploded like a dynamite as few racehorses ever could.
15.Bayardo
Revealed invincibility of a great emperor winning 22 out of 25 of his races, including two Ascot Gold cups.Also won by very convincing margins,and a range of distances from five furlongs to tow and a half miles.A travesty of circumstances cost him a probable win in the Derby ,being impeded by falling of favourite St.Martin.Won 15 races in succession after defeat in the Derby which was equalled only by Brigadier Gerard.
16.Daylami
Displayed the guts and endurance of a soldier in a series of big race wins with the Breeders cup being the crowning moment.His Breeder cup wins ranks amongst the finest performances across the atlantic by a racehorse.Close to the best five year old ever,improving with age.
17.Nashwan
Took aesthetics to sublime heights resembling a ballad dancer when running.His win in the Eclipse by a margin of 5 lengths was one of the best ever and with great austerity won the Guineas and Derby.Sadly denied opportunity to capture Triple crown with the Arc in mind and faced his 1st defeat in the Prix Nei lhis preparatory race.
18.Lammtarra
Son of Nijinsky revealed the most astonishing finishing burst ever in the Epsom Derby ressurecting spectacularly like a battalion from an ambush to win in the fastest time for 60 years.Avenged his father’s defeat by winning Arc and became the 1st ever horse after Mill Reef to win the Epsom Derby,King George and Arc.
19.Rheingold
On the day of the 1972 Arc could sit in the company of a Sea Bird or Ribot.Trounced great filly Allez France effortlessly by 3 lengths.Outstanding as a performer in France,winning other plums like the Prix Ganay.
20=Dayjur
Blazed the race track like a streak of lightning when winning.For many decades no sprinter displayed such phenomenal speed Won the Nunthorpe Stakes,July Cup and Prix De l’Abbaye with the the acceleration of rocket taking off.Sadly misfortune cost him a certain win in the Breeders Cup,when he glimpsed a shadow on the track and tried to jump it.
20=.Troy
Gave the most impressive or dazzling display in the Epsom Derby of the decade of the 1970’s ,wining the 1979 edition winning by a long looking 7 lengths,the highest margin since 1924.Never in a Derby have I seen a colt pound the opposition into submission coming from so long back,like an army coming out of an ambush.Worthy winner also of the Irish Derby and King George that year.Not at is best in the Arc where he finished third.
20=.Oh So Sharp
Last filly to capture the elusive fillies triple crown which was a remarkable achievement.Went down by very narrow margin in the King George to Petsoki.More than stamina and courgae posesssed class which won her the 1000 Guinnesa by a short head and the St.Leger by three quarters of a length.Won the Oaks in majestic fashion by a margin of six lengths,conquering the great filly Triptych.
Please participate here Racing forum members.Appreciate your contribution to this thread on the bets British racehorses of all time.
“Neverthless he was majestic in defeat,revealing dazzling speed in the last furlong of 22.7 seconds.”
I think you need to get your facts right. The stat would make him a donkey.
Possibly unfair on donkeys who might be able to raise a sub-22 gallop when shown the carrot but it would certainly make Frankel a human
Tommie ‘black power’ Smith holds the official record for The Furlong: 20 seconds dead in 1966
Would double Arc winning Enable break into this.?
The longevity at 6 winning another King George this year making it 11 group/grade 1’s in total
I’d have her not far behind Frankel myselfGaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Enable would slot into the list quite snugly Nathan … even better if she wins the third Arc.
@GhostofRobV Sorry I meant last 2 furlongs for Dancing Brave in Epsom Derby and not furlong for registering time of 22.7 secs.Ran last furlong in 11.2.Please aknowledge corrrection.I have made it.
What do you feel about my rankings overall?Justice to Dancing Brave,Mill Reef,Brigadier Gerard etc.?Appreciate response.
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