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New project for Jim McGrath.
Looks interesting and always good to hear what someone with Jim’s experience makes of things (whether you always agree with him or otherwise).
Good luck to him with it.
I don’t agree with his views on Racing 4 Change & the Champions Series but he got the post Guineas assessment of Frankel bang on.
Will keep an eye on with interest for sure!
Is this by way of a bit of a hobby for Jim or is this the precursor to some sort of commercial offering?
It will be fascinating to see how this project progresses.
DJ, this ostensibly encroaches onto a bit of Timeform’s turf. Presumably it’s been done with Timeform’s blessing?
Just to be clear, I’m not speaking on behalf of Timeform, but Jim left the company over 2 years ago and as far as I’m aware doesn’t need the blessing from anyone at Timeform to set up this project. Personally, I wish him well with it.
Just to be clear, I’m not speaking on behalf of Timeform, but Jim left the company over 2 years ago and as far as I’m aware doesn’t need the blessing from anyone at Timeform to set up this project. Personally, I wish him well with it.
I hadn’t realised it was over 2 years since he left. I was working on the basis that he would have been bound by a non-competition clause for at least 18 months after leaving.
Jim’s comments on Frankel –
"……
His blistering speed, allied to that exuberant nature, raised doubts as to what he’ll actually be able to achieve in the months ahead. It’s now hard to think that he’ll be able to follow in Sea The Stars’ footsteps
(his racing character is completely different) and more likely that he’ll be kept to distances around 1m.
Still, this performance, backed up by a Timeform timefigure of 136 (one of the fastest ever recorded), gives plenty of credence to the view that he’s already one of the best horses yours truly has been privileged to see. The St James’s Palace Stakes at Ascot, followed by the Sussex Stakes, looks the natural route to go now. Fingers crossed he stays in one piece.
Beforehand, he behaved in similar fashion to Newbury, led around with a lip chain, a shade warm between his legs but perfectly behaved. In full cry, he’s captivating. Along with Assert and Galileo, he’s one of the best movers I’ve seen, blessed with a simply magnificent action……"
Surprised at Jim’s comments. On the one hand he’s saying one of the best he’s seen. On the other, he appears to be saying Frankel has burnt himself out after Saturday’s effort.
Think Jim is missing a salient point that he made himself – that Frankel is one of the best. So whilst he had a race on Saturday,
Frankel will almost certainly improve again
in the months ahead now that Tom Queally knows the true power of the horse.
It is completely wrong to suggest that Frankel is a headstrong sort who is not amenable to restraint. He has been restrained all his life, and even on Saturday, he only went the speed that his jockey asked for – and Queally didn’t think he was going very fast.
Frankel has an enviable temperament, very relaxed in the paddock, set alight on the racecourse, just like Sea The Stars.
His mouthwatering encounters with Canford Cliffs and Goldikova will prove he is an outstanding champion.
I must have been looking at a different horse then MV.
Frankel hasn’t got a lip chain in the paddock for nothing Reminds me a lot of Dubai Millenium in his characteristics. Another best ffrom the front who wore a lip chain in the paddock. Frankel isn’t of bad temperament, but does have quirks which could become worse. Not entirely relaxed walking around. Some of his relations have had a short career and others went the "wrong way" temperament-wise.
I did not see Queally ask Frankel to do anything, just let Frankel do what he wanted.
In the Greenham Queally wanted to use hold up tactics, but couldn’t restrain the horse.I think what Jimbo was meaning that Frankel is not going to be another Sea The Stars, not win the Derby, Arc etc; and his character makes it more difficult to maintain this standard. Even though there is a strong possibility of more improvement in him.
Value Is Everything
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