Frankel’s Four-Legged Security Guard
Sept 3, 2016 13:44:27 GMT -5
Post by racinggal on Sept 3, 2016 13:44:27 GMT -5
As a "cat person" I loved this story!
Pyranha Presents Barn Buddies: Frankel’s Four-Legged Security Guard
by Natalie Voss | 09.02.2016
Paulick Report
Frankel deservedly received a staggering number of accolades and reverent superlatives during his racing career, and his first foals are already gaining attention for quick success in their juvenile racing season. Marketed by Juddmonte as “officially the world's best Thoroughbred” (referring to his record 147 Timeform rating), the bay son of Galileo is no doubt one of the most popular horses ever to be in residence at Banstead Manor Stud in Suffolk, England.
When visitors arrive to the stallion yard to see Frankel, they are honored to see the country's most accomplished modern racehorse, but a lucky few also get to meet Frankel's cat, George.
George, a brown and white tabby of approximately seven years old, wandered into Banstead Manor in the fall of 2012, about two weeks before Frankel was due to arrive to begin his retirement. Something made the cat decide to stick around, according to stallion man Jason Imeson.
When the popular bay arrived to his new stall at Banstead, a small group of farm representatives gathered to watch Frankel transition into his new surroundings. Just as the group determined Frankel was relatively unimpressed by his switch from racing yard to stallion yard, George sauntered by Frankel's stall, and the stallion was entranced. Trevor Jones, who had photographed Juddmonte horses for more than two decades, was among the group on hand and quickly picked up his camera
The resulting image appeared in international publications and made George famous. These days, visitors often inquire about George's health before Frankel can even step out of his stall (Imeson did not offer speculation as to how Frankel feels about being upstaged by a cat). They can rest assured that yes, George is still on the premises, although you may not always see him.
“George is known as our ‘Head of Security' – he likes to spend large parts of the day relaxing in the warmth of the security hut,” said Imeson. “When we have visitors however, he likes to be on hand to supervise, have his photo taken and then see all visitors off the premises.”
Imeson said George isn't much of a mouser, preferring to leave that unsavory task to his colleague, Sandy. Instead, he indulges in the cat food provided for the pair.
Like much celebrity folklore, Imeson said George's persona of being “Frankel's cat” is a bit of a misnomer.
“George is now renowned for being ‘Frankel's cat', and Frankel was certainly very interested in George when he first arrived. However in reality George is more of a people-person,” said Imeson. “George loves people. He never fails to show up for large groups of visitors and firmly believes they have all come to the stud to see him!”
George has a unique sense of humor, and recently appeared on social media flopping dramatically alongside stud manager Simon Mockridge's car, begging for attention.
Fans of Frankel and George can keep up with both characters on Juddmonte's Twitter account @juddmontefarms.
Pyranha Presents Barn Buddies: Frankel’s Four-Legged Security Guard
by Natalie Voss | 09.02.2016
Paulick Report
Frankel deservedly received a staggering number of accolades and reverent superlatives during his racing career, and his first foals are already gaining attention for quick success in their juvenile racing season. Marketed by Juddmonte as “officially the world's best Thoroughbred” (referring to his record 147 Timeform rating), the bay son of Galileo is no doubt one of the most popular horses ever to be in residence at Banstead Manor Stud in Suffolk, England.
When visitors arrive to the stallion yard to see Frankel, they are honored to see the country's most accomplished modern racehorse, but a lucky few also get to meet Frankel's cat, George.
George, a brown and white tabby of approximately seven years old, wandered into Banstead Manor in the fall of 2012, about two weeks before Frankel was due to arrive to begin his retirement. Something made the cat decide to stick around, according to stallion man Jason Imeson.
When the popular bay arrived to his new stall at Banstead, a small group of farm representatives gathered to watch Frankel transition into his new surroundings. Just as the group determined Frankel was relatively unimpressed by his switch from racing yard to stallion yard, George sauntered by Frankel's stall, and the stallion was entranced. Trevor Jones, who had photographed Juddmonte horses for more than two decades, was among the group on hand and quickly picked up his camera
The resulting image appeared in international publications and made George famous. These days, visitors often inquire about George's health before Frankel can even step out of his stall (Imeson did not offer speculation as to how Frankel feels about being upstaged by a cat). They can rest assured that yes, George is still on the premises, although you may not always see him.
“George is known as our ‘Head of Security' – he likes to spend large parts of the day relaxing in the warmth of the security hut,” said Imeson. “When we have visitors however, he likes to be on hand to supervise, have his photo taken and then see all visitors off the premises.”
Imeson said George isn't much of a mouser, preferring to leave that unsavory task to his colleague, Sandy. Instead, he indulges in the cat food provided for the pair.
Like much celebrity folklore, Imeson said George's persona of being “Frankel's cat” is a bit of a misnomer.
“George is now renowned for being ‘Frankel's cat', and Frankel was certainly very interested in George when he first arrived. However in reality George is more of a people-person,” said Imeson. “George loves people. He never fails to show up for large groups of visitors and firmly believes they have all come to the stud to see him!”
George has a unique sense of humor, and recently appeared on social media flopping dramatically alongside stud manager Simon Mockridge's car, begging for attention.
Fans of Frankel and George can keep up with both characters on Juddmonte's Twitter account @juddmontefarms.