Fans warm to emotional Come On Frank memoir

South Australian harness racing couple Julie and Darren Billinger had a story to tell – one that no parent should ever have to write.

But in the darkest days following the tragic loss of their 17-year-old daughter Kelly, a cheeky pacer named Come On Frank became an unlikely lifeline for the well-known harness racing family.

Now, more than 15 years after the horse first entered their lives, Julie has shared the family’s remarkable journey in a memoir that is racing off the shelves.

“Come On Frank: The People’s Horse” tells the story of a horse who not only captured the hearts of harness racing fans but helped a grieving family find a way forward.

“I still can’t believe that I’ve done it. I’m so very proud. I had a vision and it has come to life,” Julie said.

“Over the years we had a huge amount of people supporting the idea. He was a horse that helped my family and many others along the way and hopefully the book can now help others push through dark times.”

Julie admits writing the 326-page memoir was an emotional roller-coaster.

“There were many tears when I was reliving the absolute worst times, but the funny moments were so easy to write down,” she said.

Kelly Billinger was just 17 when she was killed in a car accident while travelling with her cousin Chloe to Victoria in late April 2011.

“If it wasn’t for Frank, I don’t know where we’d be. He helped so much in healing – he did appear to race with angel wings,” Julie said.

“Kelly was good little helper. She was a typical teenager, very interactive, which drew people in – she was intelligent, a good person and very bright at school, and she loved dancing,” she said.

“Kelly had a pony, but she really wasn’t into our racing team.  There was one exception though – the only one of our racehorses she liked was Frank.”

Although Come On Frank would go on to be one of the most popular horses of his era, his racing future at the Billinger stable looked shaky in the early days.

“He wasn’t much good as an early two-year-old and Darren was going to sack him,” Julie said.

“The others would sprint up nicely, but Frank was so slow! Darren was adamant he wasn’t going to make it, so I took him on. There was something deep telling me not to give up on him,” she said.

“I changed a few things and did a lot of galloping with him. He ran a mile rate of 2.15, but then got down to 2.10 and then 2.06. He ran second on debut at Port Pirie and then won at Globe Derby.”

“Frank” had won close to a dozen races as a two- and three-year-old when the family was devastated by the loss of Kelly.  As they worked through their grief, they found comfort and purpose in Frank.

Three months after the tragedy, the youngster produced a barnstorming four-wide final lap to claim victory in the Group 2 Southern Cross Final for 3yo Colts and Geldings – “a victory from the heavens”, as described by race caller Jimmy Jacques.

Watch the replay here: https://www-harness-org-au.akamaized.net/sa/GDM30071101.mp4

“It wasn’t just that he won, but how he won that people loved,” Julie said.

“He never beat a horse in trackwork – and Darren usually had to drive him in the death-seat to get the best out of him. He had to make sure he timed his run to perfection or Frank would back off and get run down.”

The iron horse eventually retired with an outstanding record of 61 wins, 21 seconds and 12 thirds from 130 career starts, amassing more than $400,000 in prizemoney.

For Julie, who was born into harness racing in Western Australia, horses had always been part of life. Her father, Kevin Batt, was a highly accomplished horseman who claimed leading trainer and driver premierships during the 1970s. Both her parents were professionals in the sport, and Kevin is now retired and living at Yorktown.

“I wasn’t allowed to drive them, but use to ride them along forest trails and the beach,” Julie said.

These days, Come On Frank is enjoying a well-earned retirement, dividing his time between grassy paddocks at Angaston and Two Wells and a large yard behind the Billingers’ home.

And, according to Julie, the horse who brought so much joy to so many people has lost none of his cheeky personality.

“He’s still number one and knows it. One of his favorite tricks is unlocking the gate,” Julie laughed.

The memoir was officially launched at Globe Derby Park on South Australia Cup night, October 24, with a second launch later held at Kaniva. The response has been overwhelming, with most of the first print run already sold.

Order your copy of Come On Frank: The People’s Horse at Come On Frank: The People’s Horse Facebook page or at comeonfrank61@gmail.com or at Amazon 

 

From Terry Gange for Harnesslink