Twelve Days a Racing: Drumming with Frank Brothers, Q&A

Beginning in 1980, Frank Brothers trained Thoroughbreds for nearly 30 years. During that time, he amassed a career win percentage of just over 23%, with 2,291 races to his credit, including 262 stakes victors of which 50 were graded.

Chief among them was Hansel (Woodman), a multiple Grade I winner of the Preakness S. and Belmont S., who was the 1991 three-year-old Champion. Others in his barn included Grade I winners like Secret Hello (Private Account), Arch (Kris S.), Oath (Known Fact), Madcap Escapade (Hennessy), First Samurai (Giant's Causeway), and of course, Grade II winner, Pulpit (A.P. Indy).

Brothers was always active at auctions, so when he retired from training he moved to the bloodstock world as an agent for Starlight and StarLadies Racing. He has purchased or was involved with successful racehorses that included: Shanghai Bobby (Harlan's Holiday), Neolithic (Harlan's Holiday), Charlatan (Speightstown), Authentic (Into Mischief), and Jouster (Noble Mission {GB}), just to name a few.

Among his many pursuits, he serves as a member of the inspection team for the Keeneland Racing Association's September Sale.

Brothers joined TDN for 20 questions. Here are his unedited answers to breeding and racing's most poignant questions for 2022 and into the new year!

TDN: What is your racing or bloodstock highlight of the year?

FB: Breeders' Cup, just a fantastic group of races this year.

TDN: How about value sire for the 2023 season?

FB: Dialed In.

TDN: Who will be the leading freshman sire next year?

FB: Omaha Beach.

TDN: Best stallion in the business?

FB: Into Mischief because most people didn't see his success as a stallion coming and, early on, he did not get the best mares so he did it all on his own. An even more present day version would be Gun Runner.

TDN: Favorite all-time sales ring moment?

FB: When Starlight Racing bought Shanghai Bobby (who went on to become undefeated at two and Champion Two-Year-Old).

TDN: Name one positive change you'd like to see in racing next year?

FB: The powers that be in racing manage to pass uniform laws for the greater good.

TDN: What is the most exciting race you watched this year?

FB: Life Is Good winning the GI Whitney Stakes.

TDN: If you could go back in time and see one race in person, what would it be?

FB: Any of Man o' War's big races.

TDN: If you could only go to one track the rest of your life, where would it be?

FB: Keeneland.

TDN: Besides Rich Strike, what was the biggest surprise of 2022 in horse racing?

FB: $4.6 million for 2.5% of Flightline.

TDN: Who is your breakout stallion of 2022?

FB: Arrogate. God rest his soul.

TDN: What was your major takeaway from the commercial market this year?

FB: The amount of money it takes to buy what is perceived to be the quality yearlings.

TDN: You can bring back one racetrack from the past, which one would it be and why?

FB: Aksarben. Small track, but it had a lot of charisma and energy. That, or Hollywood Park, which, in it's heyday, felt like a genuine backdrop for the stars of Hollywood.

TDN: Which TDN Rising Star(s) are you most looking forward to seeing in 2023?

FB: I'm biased, but I'll go with Prank (StarLadies Racing).

TDN: Is there a trainer that is going to have a breakout year in 2023? Who is it and why do you think that will happen?

FB: The present Top 10 trainers are pretty strong. Would be hard to top what they're doing right now.

TDN: Is Flightline a lock for Horse of the Year? Where do you stand on Best Three-Year-Old Male? Rich Strike or Epicenter?

FB: Yes to Flightline, Horse of the Year. Best Three-Year-Old Male, Epicenter.

TDN: During your career, who was the hardest working backside worker you ever saw? Explain.

FB: Pretty much anyone who came up under Jack Van Berg. Van Berg set the tone–he worked as hard as anyone. But he expected more from his employees than anyone I had ever seen before or since and people were willing to work hard for him (myself included).

TDN: In the next 10 years, what do you think will be the most significant change when it comes to the bloodstock business in North America?

FB: If the foal crop continues to shrink, the price of what-is-perceived-to-be good yearlings, will continue to go up. In turn, it will be increasingly difficult for a sole buyer to purchase a horse–or justify purchasing the horse–and we'll see more and more groups partnering up. We're already seeing that, of course.

TDN: Who is your favorite jockey of all-time?

FB: I am, by marriage, mandated to say Donna Barton. But aside from her, Jerry Bailey.

TDN: What do you miss most about training racehorses? Please explain.

FB: Facilitating the development of horses. I miss the horses because I've been around them for most of my life. But there are many things about being a horse trainer that I don't miss!

TDN: Last but not least, let's unwrap who is your favorite horse of all-time?

FB: Seattle Slew.