Brigadier Gerard

A horse as good as Brigadier Gerard over a mile and as good as Mill Reef at 10-12f would likely be the greatest anyone will ever see.

(A shame Frankel will never run over 12f, but he has a shot at the 8f-10f bit).
 
SteveM said:
Mill Reef was the one I was particularly struck with at the time. I don't think the Brigadier would have beaten him at 10 furlongs+ either.

Mill Reef and BG have been described as "the greatest pair of contemporaries ever trained in Britain".
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Until Denman and Kauto ...:D
 
Ardross said:
I think Mill Reef would have run him down in the final furlong - we will never know ..
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We will never know but I'd fancy BG's best last two furlongs over MR's any day of the week. Over 12f MR would leave him standing; it was only BG's sheer class that got him home against Parnell in the King George (although he may have won by further off a steadier pace). Over 10f, though, I think the Brigadier would have shaded it. Shame it never happened.
 
It must have been hugely frustrating for fans in '72 given how Mill Reef was on the verge of coming back after the Coronation Cup a few times before he injured himself.
 
I remember it well. It seemed every week the Sporting Life and Sporting Chronicle had a headline of some sort about whether they'd clash. It was like Sea Biscuit and War Admiral. I always had a gut feeling Mill Reef's connections were less keen on it.
 
SteveM said:
Mill Reef was a piece of work alright. I reckon you're right.
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Watching the Mill Reef dvd his Prix Ganay win, allowing for funny camera angles, was special. I imagine they feared no horse after that win.
Any comparable dvd of BG floating around? I know some races on youtube but my reception not great; a mile race can take 12 mins on it; Id even fancy Apache Gold to win in that time!
 
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I don't come on here very often, but I would just like to say that I agree with the very high rating given to this particular thread. As a massive fan of Brigadier Gerard I have to say it made very interesting reading.
In fact I was reading it the other day and I went back to FF to be greeted by a private message directing me to a thread we have on there called "Wednesday Special" which has been given a slightly dubious rating of 13, a rating that may have to be revised down.
Anyway, credit where credit is due, I'm impressed.
 
For me the greatest 2 3 and 4 year olds The Brigadier (still stands alone) and Frankel. If Frankel lands group 1's at 10 and 12 Ferlongs he may just enter the total exclusive club. Brigadier Gerard beat a total champion no to in Mill Reef and My Swallow then won beyond his optimum trip in going that was also against him. When Frankel steps up who will he face a Mill Reef? not in a million years he so far has beaten the same old same old time and time again or a good horse that returned injured. For greatness look at his Guineas won by wide margins from what???? group 3 / listed at best. I love seeing Frankel and he is great for racing but a Brigadier as yet he sure aint.
 
For me the greatest 2 3 and 4 year olds The Brigadier (still stands alone) and Frankel. If Frankel lands group 1's at 10 and 12 Ferlongs he may just enter the total exclusive club. Brigadier Gerard beat a total champion no to in Mill Reef and My Swallow then won beyond his optimum trip in going that was also against him. When Frankel steps up who will he face a Mill Reef? not in a million years he so far has beaten the same old same old time and time again or a good horse that returned injured. For greatness look at his Guineas won by wide margins from what???? group 3 / listed at best. I love seeing Frankel and he is great for racing but a Brigadier as yet he sure aint.
 
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