Bobby Frankel

[Crystal]

passed away this morning. Very sad day.

[Daisy Jal Dastur]

Very sad, indeed. May his soul rest in peace.

[jellac]

One of my most pleasant memories of horseracing involved a first trip to Santa Anita - on Opening Day, the day after Christmas Day - several seasons ago. It was a classic S. California day with clear robin egg blue skies and dry/crisp air that was a little cool in the shade but warm without being hot on your skin when in the sparkling sun. To my mind it could not have been any better than this. But boyfriend (who is NOT at all enthused with horses/racing and a very hyper/antsy person besides) was on verge of becoming totally bored after only 15 minutes on the grounds and was mumbling something about hailing a cab to take him somewhere elese while I wasted a day at the races to my disgust/alarm.

Then the very first entreis for Race 1 began walking up to the paddock and saddling area. Bobby Frankel was among the first to arrive accompanying his entry for that race and the crowds were as yet quite thin around the paddock area. Sassy 'wise-guy' comments shot out from a few of the handicappers/regulars who were along the rail observing their picks for form as they strode by. Bobby traded smart talk with the railbirds with the ease of a practiced comedian. He was so 'rat pack' in demeanor, it made me think of my Dad who was from Buffalo NY and never lost that 'New Yorker' edge to his repartee either. Bobby Frankel was everything I'd imagined he might be, accessible, genial, engaging and 'very aware' of the public persona a top trainer has in horse racing. He also had an absolutey FIT gleaming chestnut striding easily/eagerly alongside him in the hands of one of his stable staff. Bobby continued to trade light hearted barbs and deflected giving any real 'tips' to anyone who wanted to 'talk' with him, all the while never taking his eyes off his mount. My boyfriend could really relate to all the 'trash talk' around betting the race, etc. and was thoroughly engaged for the rest of the day when he made money betting Bobby's horse (!). In an instant he went from someone ready to bail on a great day of racing to one who was glued to that paddock ring from the moment each race was called! We had a great day - he for the betting anles and I for the lovely horses. Ever since I've always been both an admirer of Bobby Frankel for his accomplishments as a trainer AND a huge fan for his willingness to embrace the fans - serious bettors and otherwise.

To my mind very few people in horse racing could not only get a horse 'primed' for a race as well as he could but also put a 'face' on horseracing as he did. His death is a big loss for the sport.

[nferro9925]

I just read this with great sadness.
My sincere condolences to his family.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/ ... dies-at-68

[fastappy]

Truly one of the great trainers of our time. He was reserved yet charismatic at the same time. An astute business man as well.

[majxmom]

Very classy of him to ask for donations to Old Friends, Canter, and Grayson in lieu of flowers, instead of to the Leukemia Society. A horseman to the end.

[Mahubah]

He was one of the greats -- not long on words, but his horses did all the talking he needed. RIP.

[wilf]

What a great trainer and an animal lover with an acute feel. I remember being impressed when he stayed home from the Breeders Cup to be with his dog. A trainer's trainer who came up through the ranks and did it his way. Thanks Bobby!

[Bedouwia]

Sad news -- another good one gone. I wish I had known him personally, but was certainly a fan nevertheless.

Bedouwia

[Mood Swings]

Very sad RIP Bobby.

[majxmom]

I remember being impressed when he stayed home from the Breeders Cup to be with his dog.

I forgot about that! I saw Happy mentioned earlier and I was trying to think how I knew he had this dog named Happy, that it was unusual to know a personal detail like that, and I was trying to remember how it was in the news. It was the story about how Happy was in the last stages and he stayed home from the Breeders Cup to be with him.

[zinn21]

Had the pleasure of shaking Bobby's hand some twenty years ago. We talked for a few minutes and he couldn't have been nicer. I remember looking at his horses going to the track and thinking how good they all looked. That same day I also shook and chatted with Charlie Whittingham. That was one helluva day.. Both great ones who will never be replaced.

[Sysonby]

His horses were his legacy. No one's horses looked better in the paddock and no one was more attuned day to day with their condition and abilities. People also forget that before Juddmonte, he was the premier claiming trainer in Southern California. In fact, he was so good that no one moved horses up on Frankel and that led to people being utterly spooked as far as claiming his horses. In the LA Times article, Julio Canani is quoted as saying that Frankel would run $20,000 claims for $8000 which didn't on its face sound like much of a tribute. The difference is that Frankel could do that because no one would take his horses. He was that respected in the trenches.

[Aug27]

And before that, he was the claimer King of New York.
No one could train an older turfer like Frankel. They came out of long layoffs as sharp as a tack, and one could always bet them with confidence.
A True Hall of Famer, he'll be sorely missed.

[FOS]

hi guys

WOW...Bobby was GREAT !!!

Bobby Frankel was absolutely positively one of the GREATEST of the All-Time Greats. A trainer for the ages.

I miss him already.

Respectfully