FRANKIE Goes to GOLD COAST

JO MCKINNON

Though he might be nearing the age of 50 and in the twilight of his career, he is riding in the best form of his life and his remarkable association with champion mare Enable has pushed his profile to even greater heights. With a total of more than 500 Group race wins to his name, Frankie has ticked off almost everything there is on the to-do list as an elite jockey, except for one thing. He’s never won a major race in Australia, despite many years spent trying. Since 1993 he’s been venturing down under to compete in the country’s greatest staying race, the Melbourne Cup. “Back then it was like being the first man on the moon but now nobody thinks twice about coming to Australia to ride,” said Frankie. After 17 attempts, the Cup still eludes the champion rider. In the most recent edition of the race that stops the nation, he went agonisingly close to finally breaking through on Master of Reality. In a tight finish, the pair was second across the line but later relegated to fourth placing after a protest was upheld. “Relatives are forever asking me when I am going to win the Melbourne Cup and I say it’s not through a lack of trying,” he laughed. Now Frankie is trying his luck further north on the East Coast of Australia and will aim to win a race at The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions $10.25 million Raceday on January 11. In what is a major coup for the event, the riding legend took up an invitation from Magic Millions organisers to ride at the meeting and join in the festivities of one of the greatest sales and race weeks in the world. Frankie’s no stranger to the Gold Coast having previously travelled there for holidays with his wife Catherine and five children. “I’m looking forward to it. It will be different this time because I am racing and all my Australian jockey friends are going to be there.

“I get to kill two birds with one stone and have a nice holiday and ride.” In January each year, Frankie usually takes a break from his hectic schedule of racing commitments but didn’t hesitate to take up this unique opportunity. “I think if you love something it’s easy to accept it. I love travelling and riding in races and that’s what keeps me young. “I’m always chasing the new experiences and this came at a perfect time for me.” He’s hot property at the moment and making the most of being in such high demand. Straight after his Melbourne Cup mission, he travelled to Japan to ride and then on to Hong Kong for the international meeting before heading home for Christmas. “It’s a pretty intense few months and it sounds hectic but its lots of fun seeing different places and people a nd facing different challenges. “I decided to carry on through. At the moment everybody wants me so I am going along with it. I know that I’m coming towards the end and I try to enjoy it as much as I can while I can,” he said. Whilst he very openly acknowledges being at the backend of his career, the thought of hanging the silks up is the furthest thing from his mind. “I have no intention of retiring at the moment because things are going good. As long as I perform to the best of my ability and win the big races, I’m happy.”

2019 is his best year yet in the saddle with an incredible haul of major races including the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Gold Cup at Ascot, Goodwood Cup at Goodwood and Coral-Eclipse at Sandown. “I’m very lucky because I work for a great trainer (John Gosden) and I pick and choose my races. “I don’t ride as many as I used to and travel the world and ride good horses. What more do you want?” he said. He’s hoping to bring that top riding form to the Gold Coast, and, should he breakthrough in one of the feature races, has hinted at some bold post-race antics that will be sure to thrill the huge crowd and television viewing audience. “You never know, I might even do a somersault if I win a race,” he joked. Away from the racetrack, Frankie will play a big part in the Magic Millions festivities including the famed morning gallops along the beachfront and the polo. “I’m really looking forward to my game of polo with Hugh Bowman. I can do the riding bit but I don’t know about hitting the ball.” And he also plans to go for a wander around at the Magic Millions yearling sales during what will be a busy week. “I’m not a buyer I just do the riding but I will pop in. I know most of the people there and there will be a lot of people from Europe who will be there so it will be good to catch up,” he said.