Bill Crosby is a man of few words – but he’s not short on them when he talks about his beloved Frankie Ferocious.
The respected harness racing participant owns and bred the four-year-old, while son Ben also formerly trained him.
The bay gelding will be looking to add another Group 1 to his resume when he lines up in next week’s Racing and Sports The Rising Sun at Albion Park.
It’s fair to say Frankie Ferocious - who is out of the Crosby's mare Morethanmeetstheye – holds a special place in the hearts of the Crosby clan.
A former trainer, the 84-year-old Bill was his typical casual self when asked if it was the best horse the family had ever owned.
“He’s up the top there - I don’t know whether he’s the best horse, we’ve got another little horse there we think is as good as him, but he’s right up there in the top,” Bill said.
“We had his mother and all that, and really he’s just another horse - but he’s a better one (laughs).
“He just gets you a bit more interested in better races - you look afield a bit more now and you realise that there is better races to win if you’ve got the right horse.”
Bill last trained in his own name in the 2019-20 season, before Ben eventually took over the handling of the team.
The junior Crosby trained Frankie Ferocious on 20 occasions before the family transferred him to the stable of leading trainer Jason Grimson in Sydney.
Ben was slightly more effusive in his praise for their pride and joy.
“He’s a lovely ride we’re having - he’s probably the best horse we’ve had anything to do with and it’s really good to see him get his opportunity on the big stage against the best horses,” Ben said.
“He probably doesn’t have the most ability we’ve had but he’s definitely number one at the moment and he’s really stepped up.
“Jason’s done a terrific job with him, he took him on short notice and took him to Melbourne first up and won the Bonanza.
“He never did anything wrong, he won the race we sent him for which was terrific.”
It has been a fruitful start to the partnership with the multiple Grand Circuit-winning trainer Grimson, with three wins from four starts including the Group 1 Chariots of Fire in March.
Frankie Ferocious will also represent TAB in September’s $2.1 million The Eureka at Menangle.
The results and the prize money on offer down south have made letting go of their prized asset easier to bear for the Crosbys.
“It’s really good, it’s also good that Jason’s got it - he has all the responsibility now,” Bill said with a laugh.
“A lot of the good races were down south and he’s a top trainer.
“We just thought we would give him a go – well, mainly Ben thought it.
“I would have liked to have raced him but I think it was the right thing to do, just chase a bit more money.”
Frankie Ferocious trialled at Albion last week and will have another hit out in a Band 2 Pace at the Creek on Queensland Sun night this Saturday.
He is currently leading the market at $1.70 for the $355,000 The Rising Sun a week later.
Group 1 champions Captains Knock and Lux Aeterna are also included in the strong field, along with Victorian star Captain Hammerhead and local Wisper a Secret.
Bill and Ben were both playing a straight bat when asked about Frankie’s chances.
“We don’t know yet but it looks pretty good, we’ve got some real opposition there so it’s just a matter of wait and see I think,” Bill said.
“I think we can beat them with the right draw and a little bit of luck, but they’re good horses – if we win it I’ll be over the moon.”
Ben added: “It’s going to be very draw dependent, he’s definitely not just going to turn up and win – we think he’s the best horse but there’s some very nice horses in there.
“It’s really unbelievable the job that RQ has done - it’s the number one carnival in the country now, everyone wants to be here, it’s good weather and we love it.
“We’re super happy and excited to be involved in it - Jason’s done a great job, and bring on The Rising Sun.”
Australasia’s richest open race for three and four-year-old pacers, The Rising Sun will once again hold an additional $100,000 bonus for a three-year-old winner.
Additionally, for the first time, a $25,000 bonus is on offer if a three-year-old runs second or third.
