the greatest horse trainer ever

[HiloBoy]

my opinion hands down bobby frankel. frankel was able to do it every which way from cheap claimers to million dollar yearlings. when the game changed with van berg and later lucas operating stables all over the country frankel was able to adapt to perfection. originally building an old school stable of claimers on the so ca circut some of which were able to become stakes winners which at the time was unheard of. now he is able to choose a barn full of royally bred stock with owners waiting in line to fill up the barns.

 

[JudgeWapner]

I like Frankel, but would take Woody Stephens over him if he were alive.

 

[WharfRat+]

too bad the vets have as much influence as the trainers these days. I was out to dinner at Saratoga a few years ago and a prominent NY trainer was out celebrating the meet w/ about 20 guys from his barn. He introduces the vet and everyone started chanting "MVP MVP"

 

[THE SHRINK]

Winning 5 consecutive Belmont Stake races in the 80's i believe makes me also favor Stevens, but something tells me Bobby Baffert will eventually be the King...

Thanks for helping me out Michael..

 

[michael777]

Winning 5 consecutive Belmont Stake races in the 80's i believe makes me also favor Frankel, but something tells me Bobby Baffert will eventually be the King...

ken,woody won 5 consecutive belmonts,not frankel

 

[aceduecetrey]

What about that Lucas guy? Is he overrated or what?

 

[GMON]

There is no single trainer that can be said is the best. But for a question like this to be asked and Charlie Whittingham not mentioned is ludicrous.

 

[TheGeneral+]

In my life I have known several trainers. Just like Music stars, alot of very good trainers/musicians go unrecognized because they do not get the big break.

 

[RobFunk]

Baffert, he's got the best roids in the biz

 

[aceduecetrey]

What about the guy from seabiscut? My man could train a horse.

 

[wilheim]

Charlie Whittingham

He was a three-time Eclipse Award winner and two time Kentucky Derby winner as well as the oldest trainer to win the Derby at age 73 (Ferdinand in 1986). One of the all time great trainers.



wil.

 

[wilheim]

Seabiscuit's trainer was Tom Smith a unique individual. Many say the movie "Horse Wisperer" was based on him. He had his ups and downs as a trainer being suspended a couple of times during a long career.



wil.

 

[oldmanTED]

Would have to add my two cents for both Stephens and Whittingham as well. Stephens for the consecutive Belmont wins and Whittingham for his incredible record in Grade I races. Frankel, Baffert, Lukas are all excellent as well, but have work still to do to reach the stature of the first two.

 

[RobFunk]

Good post OMT, but

Why does Baffert get so much acclaim to the casual observer?

I am not an avid horses fan, but when I do watch it seems like it's his face and name coming up the most. I can picture that damn bright white mop top hair of his and shades as if he was a famous athlete.

 

[JudgeWapner]

Baffert had a nice streak of winning some big races. has cooled off recently.

 

[moseyesly]

I'm not nearly old enough to really know, but Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons long overall record can probably never be matched.

 

[oldmanTED]

Rob:

Baffert caught a great deal of attention when he began a series of winning Grade I races, particularly Triple Crown races, which are seen by many. Also, the manner in which he prepared his horses caught notice as he never pushed his horses until they were fit and ready, unlike Lucas who was known to run some of his horses into the ground. Also, he is somewhat charismatic with the media which made for good press and helped his image. That being said, Bobby Frankel has now surpassed him as the top trainer of the Grade I races although some of the key races in the Triple Crown and Breeder's Cup have eluded him. It's only a matter of time for Bobby.

 

[michael777]

http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?tocId=9034441

 

[HiloBoy]

lucas was a promoter a great pr guy. bobbie frankel is a horseman.


whittingham is old school had great horses but rarely would ship from home base.

woody stephens and charlie whittingham the lastfew years were progra trainers only as the barn were run by assistants charlies was rodney rash and stephens i have no idea who ran his barn when his health was going downhill

lets not forget trainers like laz barrera, angel penna, king leatherburry, jack van berg, marion van berg, lucien lauren (secreteriat) gary jones etc but frankel is the king of kings.

 

[Objection]

If they took away Frankel's "juice", I wonder how many races he would win?