Monday, November 16, 2009

Rest in peace, win in heaven, Bobby Frankel

News is just breaking of the death of Bobby Frankel, a victim of leukemia at age 68, but it's fitting to pause amid an already tough Monday morning for me and offer condolences to his friends and family.

Born Robert J. Frankel in Brooklyn, July 9, 1941, he went on to train more than 3,500 winners, including Breeders' Cup Classic-winning Horse of the Year Ghostzapper.

Frankel also conditioned Breeders' Cup Sprint champion Squirtle Squirt, Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf champion Starine, Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker, two-time Pacific Classic winner Skimming, two-time Santa Anita Handicap winner Milwaukee Brew, and many other top thoroughbreds for well-known owners such as Edmund Gann.

Racing has lost a hall-of-famer; someone who clearly loved and lived for the game.

Rest in peace, Robert.

2 comments:

  1. Just came from Paulick Report to check on your filly and saw both sad pieces of news.

    Frankel was tough and a superb trainer. Racing is a bit dimmer because of his death.

    Glenn, I'm so, so sorry you lost your beautiful filly. Life is a B****! Knowing that never eases the loss. But please try to remember that the highs and lows of racing are nothing more than a microcosim of life for us. Without risk, trying to move forward one will never know the great rewards of being involved in life.

    Condolences to you and all the connections of Mr. Frankel. Thank you Mr. Frankel for continuing to try. Thank you for making racing better. Keep trying Mr. Craven.

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  2. Thanks for reading and for the condolences.

    Yes, I told my boss at the newspaper today, "This is not a game for the faint of heart."

    You have to be a little crazy to think it could ever work out. And too frequently you get reminded of exactly why this is crazy.

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