Monday, August 27, 2012

The third certainty in life

A wise man once said that there are two certainties in life: death and taxes. I beg to differ. There are, in fact, three certainties in life: death, taxes and Frankel. After last Wednesday at York, when he ran over a mile and a quarter for the first time (and won easily), it made me realise that we really do not know just how good he really is, because no other horse has seriously tested him. And my appetite is whetted for the Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on the first Sunday in October. I sincerely hope that the connections decide to give it a go, rather than the "safe" option of Ascot over a mile and a quarter later in the month. One thing is sure. If Camelot wins the St Leger at Doncaster, and thus becomes the first male Triple Crown winner since 1970, and then Frankel wins the Arc, then 2012 will still be remembered as the year of Frankel.

2 comments:

Fr Seán Coyle said...

Nice to see you back, Brendan, though my interest in horse-racing is zero. One of my late father's jokes was, 'When did Good Friday fall on Easter Monday?' 'In the Irish Grand National in Fairyhouse!'

The late Canon James Cantwell, from County Limerick and a priest of the Diocese of Nottingham, had a great love and knowledge of the racing industry and went to Cheltenham every year where he was known as the good and dedicated priest he was. May he rest in peace.

Fr Seán Coyle said...

PS I hope that Audrey and the children are all well.