Turf Talk Newsletter – 26 March, 2025

Jockeys Widely Condemned For Durbanville Strike

The calm before the storm: Grant van Niekerk in the winner’s enclosure after victory on the appropriately named Paddy Kruyer-trained Wehaveasituation (Master Of My Fate) after the second race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville today. (Picture: Wayne Marks).

Today (Wednesday) will be remembered as a dark day in South African racing history as the NHA were allegedly held to ransom by protesting jockeys at the Hollywoodbets Durbanville meeting and this caused an unprecedented abandonment of a meeting after just three races.

South Africans and their racing industry people seem to be resilient in the face of setbacks and hopefully this will be another incident which blows over quickly and is replaced by the positive aspects of the sport.

Grant van Niekerk was provided with an official avenue to protest against the punishment meted out to him by the NHA for his ride in the Big Cap and one has to wonder why he chose instead to state his case publicly.

He did so in the live TV interview after he had won today’s second race and his hard-hitting words were the spark for the drama which followed.

Van Niekerk had been given a 21 day suspension and a R50,000 fine after an inquiry into his ride in the R5 million Big Cap, in which his winning mount, All Out For Six, shifted inward at the 150m mark, bumping The Grey King and causing the favourite One Stripe to be badly hampered.

The official NHA transcribed inquiry into that ride ended with the statement, “Jockey van Niekerk was given the Right of Appeal against both the finding and the penalty imposed.”

However, Van Niekerk instead chose a public platform to criticise the NHA’s punitive measures and he was thus in violation of Rule 72.1.26, which states, “… behave or conduct himself in such a manner which has or might have the effect of discrediting horse racing or which does or might bring into disrepute the good name of the NATIONAL HORSERACING AUTHORITY, a RACING OPERATOR, any training establishment, the ACADEMY, the STEWARDS or members of any committee of the NATIONAL HORSERACING AUTHORITY or any INQUIRY BOARD, APPEAL BOARD, INQUIRY REVIEW BOARD, the LICENSING BOARD, any OBJECTION BOARD or any RACING OPERATOR or any official of the NATIONAL HORSERACING AUTHORITY or RACING OPERATOR;”

The NHA were duty bound to respond to Van Niekerk’s outburst.

They responded by imposing an interim suspension on him during the racemeeting.

The relevant press release stated, “The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (the NHA) confirms noting the comments made by Jockey Grant van Niekerk in a post-race interview following Race 2 at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Wednesday, 26 March 2025.

In view of these inter alia derogatory comments against the NHA, referencing an Inquiry that was held on Tuesday, 25 March 2025, into his riding of ALL OUT FOR SIX in Race 8 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 16 March 2025, the Chief Executive has implemented the provisions of Rule 91.2, effectively that Jockey Grant van Niekerk has been placed under an immediate interim suspension and has been replaced on his remaining rides.

An Inquiry has been opened into this matter.“

Van Niekerk started off his rant by saying he was glad he had a winner on the day so he could express his feelings.

His transcribed words in the TV interview were, “I don’t think the public or for that matter the NHA know much of what they’re talking about sometimes. I felt like I did nothing wrong in that race. I just think it’s a waste of time being a jockey in South Africa, to be honest. With all the fines happening … we’re wasting our time here. Obviously I don’t want to get too emotional about it. It’s favouritism that happens and all these things. I just hope that things change in the near future. I hope they’re just a little bit kinder on us. Rules are there for a certain reason, but at the end of the day, we have families. We have to feed so many people around us. The way they’re having us with the fines is just unacceptable. In my case, I’m as innocent as can be. I want the public to look at the race properly. Just have a look at Craig’s horse and my horse and you’ll understand what I’m talking about. There has to be some sort of fairness involved in racing. I just don’t think it’s there. Hopefully things change. Thanks.“

It is not known whether Van Niekerk acted on his own or whether his words were part of some sort of pre-orchestrated action.

However, there was later a meeting between the jockeys and the NHA and it is alleged this not only involved a complaint about Van Niekerk’s interim suspension, but also about sanctions on jockeys being too harsh.

The jockeys who orchestrated it also seem to be unaware of Rule 72.1.26, because it is alleged they were holding the NHA to ransom i.e. if their demands were not met they would refuse to continue riding.

Hence the meeting had to be abandoned.

The jockeys were thus also in violation of rule 72.1.27 which states, “Without lawful reason be a party to or incite any other PERSON or individual to perform any act, or by omission create a circumstance which does or might lead to the abandonment, postponement or interruption of any RACE or RACEMEETING; “

The thoughtlessness of the jockeys extends beyond just not knowing the racing rules.

Cape Racing Chairman Greg Bortz and 4Racing’s Gabriel Soma words to the Sporting Post in the aftermath of the abandonment said it all.

Bortz said, “You will appreciate that any abandonment due to industrial action is both costly and disappointing. The racemeeting of 2 April is under review and we will not be opening nominations to put any more meetings on until such time that we have assurances from the jockeys and the racing regulator that issues have been satisfactorily resolved. I must reiterate that I don’t believe that industrial action was appropriate today as there are other ways, means and channels to express and air grievances.”

Bortz went on to add that sponsors of jockeys and racing alike may no doubt have concerns after what happened today, and that there could well be unintended consequences flowing from the protest action taken by the jockeys.

“I want to be clear that I am not opining on the individual grievances of the jockeys and the NHA, but am firmly opposed to any action taken by stakeholders during a racemeeting, other than obviously for issues of safety. The racemeeting today should have run its course and the parties could have agreed to meet at a later stage. I feel for all stakeholders who are impacted by this action,” concluded Bortz.

4Racing’s Gabriel Soma told the Sporting Post, “There is always a danger of this type of action spilling over into other regions and we stand by Cape Racing. There are so many stakeholders across the spectrum that are impacted unjustly in the course of this action, and the jockeys can simply not be permitted to hold the sport to ransom. We urge the parties to meet and to resolve their differences in the best interests of South African racing.”

Furthermore, the meeting was being screened in other countries, including in Hong Kong, and Van Niekerk’s words basically implied that the South African racing product is not one to be trusted.

The jockeys actions were tantamount to supporting that view.

On Saturday there is a World Pool meeting at Turffontein Standside.

Hopefully the Hong Kong punters will still want to enjoy and partake of the Champions Day meeting as enthusiastically as they have for that and other SA World Pool meetings in the past.

Talking about Hong Kong and Grant van Niekerk’s accusation that there is favouritism in South Africa in dishing out penalties, the following extract from the South China Morning Post, written in March, 2020, is of interest.

“Van Niekerk shares the title of Hong Kong’s most-suspended jockey but he is looking to make amends for his on-track misdemeanours at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

The South African has felt the wrath of the stewards five times this season, matched only by apprentice Alfred Chan Ka Hei, but clearly has not been forgotten by owners and trainers with the 28-year-old picking up a full book of eight rides at the city track upon his return.

His penalties have been costly – not only has he spent 10 days on the sidelines, he’s been hit with an additional HK$200,000 in fines by stewards.“

The inquiry into the All Out For Six incident made it clear that Van Niekerk’s past record had influenced the gravity of the punishment and it seems that he had built up this record in more than one country.

Another interesting part of the extract is that Van Niekerk remained in demand in Hong Kong despite his suspensions, which is not an easy status to reach in the notoriously fickle racing culture on the island.

The reason is no doubt because he is hugely talented.

Race-riding comes with a lot of pressure, but hopefully this talented rider will one day find the means to get into the zone and realise his enormous potential.

Today his fellow jockeys took a misguided step in representing their grievances during a racemeeting and he himself took another backward step at a time in his career when he should be peaking.

Hawk Eye's Report On The Hollywoodbets Durbanville Drama

Gavin Lerena wins the first race on the Vaughan Marshall-trained Wood World (One World) and consequently moves to the top the jockeys national log with 170 wins, one clear of Richard Fourie and two ahead of Craig Zackey. (Picture: Wayne Marks).

Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)

In an unprecedented move, the NHA slapped Grant Van Niekerk with an immediately effective interim suspension following his post-race interview after winning the second race on the ironically named “Wehaveasituation”.

The official statement issued by the NHA reads: “The National Horseracing Authority of South Africa (the NHA) confirms noting the comments made by Jockey Grant Van Niekerk in a post-race interview following Race 2 at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Wednesday, 26 March 2025. In view of these inter alia derogatory comments against the NHA, referencing an Inquiry that was held on Tuesday, 25 March 2025, into his riding of ALL OUT FOR SIX in Race 8 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on 16 March 2025, the Chief Executive has implemented the provisions of Rule 91.2, effectively that Jockey Grant Van Niekerk has been placed under an immediate interim suspension and has been replaced on his remaining rides. An Inquiry has been opened into this matter.”

It seems that Van Niekerk’s fellow jockeys did not take kindly to this unprecedented course of action by the NHA and, in solidarity with Van Niekerk, refused to fulfil their remaining engagements, effectively bringing the race meeting to a premature close following the running of the third race. The race meeting was then officially abandoned by Cape Racing but details at the time of writing were sketchy in this regard and a further media release is expected from the Racing Operator. In the meantime, Cape Racing has warned that the race meeting scheduled for Wednesday 2 April is under review and will only go ahead following confirmation from the Jockeys and the NHA that the matter has been resolved.

Clearly the interests of Owners, Trainers and Punters were seriously compromised by the collective action of the Jockeys at Hollywoodbets Dubanville yesterday, and quite how the fallout will be managed in the immediate aftermath of this incident will be critical for the image of South African Horseracing going forward.

While it feels almost inconsequential, herewith a quick review of the three races which did take place at the Country course.

After taking out the last three races at the Vaal on Tuesday, Gavin Lerena extended his winning sequence to four on the trot when scoring in the first race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville yesterday aboard Wood World for trainer Vaughan Marshall. The opener, a Maiden Plate over 2400m, developed into a war of attrition but Wood World (9/10) kept going under the Lerena drive to hold out his market rival Past And Present (15/10) by more than a length with Lucky Thirteen and Ariovistus making up the frame.

Hunga Tonga (66/1) made a valiant front-running bid to deliver a major upset in the second race, an Open Maiden (F&M) over 1400m, but was collared late by the well-supported Wehaveasituation, who eventually went off as the tote favourite. Trained by Paddy Kruyer, Wehaveasituation (33/10) was produced by Grant Van Niekerk with a powerful late run to get up in the last few strides and deny Hunga Tonga by a neck with Miss William and Alex Miller completing the Quartet.

Lerena and Fourie had competitive rides in the third race, an Open Maiden over 1500m, but they had to settle for second and third spot as Noble Hero (16/1) ran them ragged under Morne Winnaar to register a dominant pillar-to-post winning performance. Gran Canaria (Lerena) and Show Off (Fourie) rounded off the Trifecta but at no stage posed a threat to the winner who had nearly four lengths to spare at the line.

Wild Intent Can Show Immediate Intent On Saturday

Gimmethegreenlight gelding Wild Intent has the credentials to win the Gr 1 TAB SA Derby at Turffontein Standside on Saturday. (JC Photos).

The Gr 1 TAB SA Derby, to be run over 2450m at Turffontein Standside on Saturday, is of particular intrigue this season, because it pits together a number of potentially top class horses.

They include Immediate Edge and Wild Intent, who fought out the pointer race, the Listed WSB Hawwaam Stakes over 2,000m.

Also involved are three horses who proved their class by finishing in the money in the Grade 1 TAB SA Classic over 1800m, Legend Of Arthur, Grey Jet and Parisian Walkway.

Immediate Edge has always had Derby horse stamped all over him. He has a big stride and winds up into a resolute finish and is duly unbeaten in three starts from 1600m up to 2000m. From the evidence of his last two wins, which were both over 2000 metres, he should have no problem staying the 2,450 metre trip and his pedigree should not be a negative point as far as stamina goes, because his sire Vercingetorix is by stamina influence Silvano and Vercingetorix himself won a Grade 1 over 2000m. His dam is by Commands, whose average runner apparently enjoy roundabout seven furlongs, but Commands has produced a Queensland Oaks winner over 2400m. Immediate Edge has the very much in-form Ryan Munger aboard and jumps from a tricky draw of 8 out of 13.

Wild Intent stayed on resolutely in the Hawwaam Stakes from a handy position and he only just failed to keep Immediate Edge at bay. However, he was giving the latter 3kg, so he has the upper hand here on paper. On pedigree he should get it because he is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Dylan Thomas mare who won twice over this distance. Wild Intent has Gavin Lerena up and has to jump from a tricky draw of nine.

Legend of Arthur is another horse who has always had Derby Horse written all over him because he stays on well and on pedigree he is by Lancaster Bomber, whose wins included the Gr 1 Tetris Horse Gold Cup over 2,100 metres, out of a Galileo mare called Grail Maiden who won up to 2500m. Legend of Arthur has drawn very wide in 12 out of 13, but Richard Fourie knows him well and should be able to find a good position in the running. Legend of Arthur was a 4.1 length third in the SA Classic and he was just 0.4 lengths ahead of the promising Grey Jet.

Grey Jet stayed on well in the SA Classic. He is trained by Weichong Marwing, who has worked extensively with his brother Weiho and also Ormond Ferraris, two magicians in training stamina horses. Grey Jet is by Danon Platina out of a Jet Master mare who has produced multiple-winning middle distance sorts and he jumps from a fair draw of six with Rachel Venniker staying aboard.

Parisian Walkway was overtaken when leading in the SA Classic, but did rally late to finish fifth, beaten just five lengths. He is a front-runner by stamina influence Ideal World out of a Mastercraftsman mare who won twice over 1200m and 1400m in just four starts. He could be dangerous if able to relax in front at a sensible pace.

The only filly in the race is Olivia’s Way, who stayed on well from a handy position to finish a 4.75 length second in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic. Olivia’s Way has drawn in pole position with Muzi Yeni up . She is by Pathfork out of an Australian-bred War Pass mare who won over 2000m, so she could enjoy the trip and she is a progressive sort.

Bacchus should enjoy the step up in trip being by Master Of My Fate out of a mare by stamina influence Lateral. The mare, Bilateral, won the Gr 1 Golden Slipper over 1450m but went on to place fourth in the SA Oaks and to win over 2000m. Bacchus has a lot to do to reverse form with a few others on Gauteng Guineas and SA Classic form, but he is classy and was probably below par for those runs.

Don’t Cry For Me disappointed in the SA Classic having won impressively over the course and distance in his previous start. He is by One World out of a What A Winter mare who won from 1200m to 1400m, so the jury will be out on his stamina capacity, but Piere Strydom up means he will likely be given a conservative ride that should enable him to stay on.

Count Huhtikuu was beaten 2,55 lengths by Immediate Edge in his penultimate start and the latter was making his debut then over a 1600m trip which is too sharp. The Royal Mo gelding won well when stepped up to 1800m last time and has scope, so could be a surprise earner.

Towers Of Gold has an easy win over 2000m to his name, but his recent form would need to be improved on considerably to feature here.

Zip Code is a Global View half-brother to a horse who won over 2850m, but he would need to improve dramatically over this trip to have a chance.

Solar Sail won easily when stepped up to 2000m last time, but that was off an 80 merit rating in a handicap, so he would need to make big improvement over this trip to feature.

Casus Belli is well held by Immediate Edge on the form of two previous clashes.

Wild Intent ts selected to beat Legend Of Arthur with Immediate Edge, Olivia’s Way and Parisian Walkway next best.

Ryan Moore Will MIss Dubai World Cup Meeting

Picture: Ryan Moore at the Breeders Cup meeting. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

Ryan Moore to ride in Australia on Dubai World Cup night with James McDonald off to Meydan

Charlie Huggins (Racing Post)

Ryan Moore will miss Dubai World Cup night on Saturday week to take up rides for Coolmore in Australia on the same day.

On an action-packed day with Group/Grade 1 racing from three different continents as well as the Randox Grand National, Moore will ride on the first day of The Star Championships at Randwick.

James McDonald, who would normally be riding for Coolmore at Randwick, will instead be at Meydan to continue his association with Romantic Warrior – the red-hot favourite for the $5 million Dubai Turf.

Moore will ride the Chris Waller-trained Switzerland in the A$3 million (£1.46m/€1.75m) TJ Smith Stakes and he will also partner State Visit for Ciaron Maher in another Group 1, the Inglis Sires’, if Coolmore’s Golden Slipper runner-up Wodeton does not run in the same race.

Coolmore Australia principal Tom Magnier told Sky Sports Radio: “The Dubai World Cup meeting is on next weekend and James was going up there, so Ryan is going to come down here.

“Ryan is on the team, he’s following these races very closely, so he was delighted when I said do you want to come down.”

With Moore elsewhere, McDonald will come in for the ride on the Aidan O’Brien-trained Continuous in the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup.

The five-year-old has won only one of his eight starts since landing the 2023 St Leger and was third when sent off the 5-2 favourite for a Group 2 handicap at Riyadh under Moore last month.

Blind Ambition Can Follow Up

Blind Ambition is on her own at the finish on her impressive Highveld debut. (JC Photos).

Turffontein Inside has an eight race meeting on Thursday and in the fifth race over 1600m Blind Ambition could follow up on his impressive Highveld debut.

The Brett Webber-trained Erupt filly waltzed in by 9,25 lengths in that maiden plate over 1450m on the Turffontein Inside track, having had some fair form in Cape Town. Jason Gates stays aboard and she could follow up off an opening handicap mark of 84, although she does have a tricky draw of eight . Devilishly Gorgeous won a workriders maiden in fine style over this trip last time and looks to be off a fair merit rating of 69 and she has a fair draw too. Pretty Analia is capable of a strong finish and although she is six points higher for her last win she goes well for Louis Nhlapo and can go close again if able to find cover. Juniper Green enjoyed the step up to 1450m last time when leading from start to finish. She was given a seven point raise so it will be tough repeating that feat over 150m further. Silver Flare ran a cracker last time over 2000m and her only win has been over this trip, so she is an interesting contender.

The highest rated race is a MR 94 handicap over 1600m for fillies and mares and topweight Soldier’s Eye could be the one to side with. This Rabada filly is off a competitive mark of 95 and has a fair draw of three out of 7, so should find cover before using her good turn of foot in the straight. There is not much between her and My Lady Soul on formlines and the latter is tipped to run second from a middle draw of four with in form Ryan Munger up. Miss Scaletta also has a form chance and has pole position with Craig Zackey up. The latter will be hungry on his first day back from suspension as the suspension cost him his championship lead. Those are the three horses who make most appeal here.

The meeting starts with a tricky Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m. The first-timer Say A Wish is by Gimmethegreenlight and is a half-brother to the promising Legal Counsel, who has won three times from five starts for Justin Snaith. Say A Wish has been backed in to odds on favourite, but that might just be due to the lack of form in the race. She does make the most appeal of the first timers but might find it tough from draw five to beat Red Caramel, who has experience and some ability and from draw two on this tight track she could steal a march over the minimum trip.

In the second over 1000m Constellation finished close up in a Listed race on debut after being backed into 15/10 favourite. This is an easier task and he will be hard to beat despite a tricky draw of five out of eight. Nyaka Nyaka has run two good races and from a good draw of three with Andrew Fortune up he could be dangerous.

In the third over 1600m Intro has ability and has a good opportunity here from a good draw over a suitable trip, so he can bounce back from a below par run last time when widely drawn. Wagram made a good Highveld debut after two not disgraced efforts in the strong centre of Cape Town. She does have a tricky draw but should enjoy the step up in trip. Mattiazo is not far off Intro on a previous meeting and from pole position with Lerena up she should be right there.

In the sixth race over 1800m Avoontoast has been knocking on the door and from a fair draw with Strydom up over a suitable trip she is the one to beat despite having to carry topweight against the boys. Peace Treaty has been disappointing after showing early promise, but this is a step down in class and Craig Zackey is now up, so maybe he can show his true ability. Gamer has got better with age as he has learnt to settle better and he should be in the shake up from a good draw over a suitable trip.

The seventh over 2600m is wide open but Clear The Path could be the one to side with over the trip he won his maiden over. He is likely better than his last start. Mo Ment has always struck as one who would enjoy going over ground. Ideal Future is capable of a resolute finish and stays 2400m so should handle this trip.

In the last race over 1200m Secret Chord is in fine form and off just a two point higher mark for his last win and from a fair draw he could be in the shake up under Andrew Fortune. Kindred Heart is off a competitive mark at present and from a fair draw over a suitable trip she should go close. Zanthar has the ability to go close but does have a tricky draw.

Winter Games Is Raised To 98

Winter Games wins the Listed Kings Cup (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

NHA Press Release

Handicapping Ratings Update

KINGS CUP (Listed)

WINTER GAMES had his official merit rating increased from 91 to 98 after leading from start to finish to capture the Listed Kings Cup over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.

The Handicappers deemed the fourth-place finisher, NARINA TROGON, as the most suitable line horse to assess this race, leaving his rating unchanged at 106.

The third-place finisher, DIANI, had his rating capped at 103 (from 101) due to specific race conditions that preclude an increase of more than two points for placed runners.

PERILLA was the only runner to receive a drop in ratings, decreasing to 97 from 99.

BRYANSTON AUCTIONEERS EAST CAPE GUINEAS (Listed)

MY BEST SHOT’S official merit rating remained unchanged at 111 following his win in the Bryanston Auctioneers East Cape Guineas (Listed) over 1600m at Fairview Racecourse on Friday.

MY BEST SHOT himself was used to assess the race, hence his unchanged rating.

The race conditions do not allow for an increase of more than four points for placed runners. Consequently, the runner-up, WAHEED could only be raised to 105 from 101, while 4^th placed MASTER FORESTER was increased from 89 to 93.

No runner received a merit rating drop in this race.

MINING PRESSURE SYSTEMS EAST CAPE SPRINT CUP (Listed)

FAIRY KNIGHT’S merit rating increased from 115 to 118 after he won the Listed Mining Pressure Systems East Cape Sprint Cup over 1200m at Fairview Racecourse on Friday.

The Handicappers unanimously agreed to use the runner-up, KINGDUNDEE, to assess the race, leaving his rating unchanged at 114.

Third-placed ANUSCHKA’S WORLD and fourth-placed MERCANTOUR had their ratings capped at 106 (from 102) and 110 (from 106), respectively, due to specific race conditions that inhibit an increase of more than four points for placed runners.

There were downward adjustments for three runners in this race. WHERE’S THE PARTY and TEATRO both dropped two points, to 89 from 91 and 91 from 93, respectively. Finally, GOLDEN LINK received a minor adjustment, decreasing from 102 to 101.

Enquiries:

The Handicapping Team

39th Birthday Celebration For America's Oldest Thoroughbred

The birthday boy (Picture: Sarah Andrew)

‘Hooves Too Big to Fill’–America’s Oldest Thoroughbred Turns 39

New Years Eve is believed to be the second-oldest American Thoroughbred on record

By Jill Williams (TDN)

Those of us fortunate to have been in the Thoroughbred industry for any length of time–whether with hands on horses daily or from behind a desk or from somewhere in between–have seen hundreds, and more likely thousands, of horses in this sport. It can be easy to pass one up at the sales if they don’t have perfect conformation or drop one in for a claim if they haven’t measured up on the track. But what we may sometimes forget is that we are all here because of a love for the horse. It all boils down to that one simple fact. We all got into this sport, either by birth or by intention, because we feel a pull toward these amazing creatures who know just how to touch our hearts and how to turn something they do naturally–run like the wind–into something that surpasses even the most exquisite poetry we can imagine.

Every once in a while, something happens that makes us pause in our busy days and brings us back to that pure adulation for the horse. It might be the uplifting connection between Cody Dorman and Cody’s Wish (Curlin). It might be the collective rooting for a fan favorite like Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) in last year’s GI Travers Stakes. Or it might be something humbler: the bond between a lovely human and her off-the-track Thoroughbred.

We’ve written about New Years Eve before, last year when he turned 38. But sometimes it’s nice to know the story behind why there’s a special relationship between a horse and a human. This old former racehorse and his owner, Julie Izzo, willingly remind us of the love two creatures can share and how that love can sustain both. He’s never been an easy horse to be around, says Izzo, and he’s not pampered. He’s also had two near-death experiences, each more than 20 years ago.

“He’s a jackass, but he’s my jackass,” said Izzo with palpable affection a few days after he turned 39 on St. Patrick’s Day. And yes, he is named New Years Eve although he was foaled on St. Patrick’s Day. Izzo laughs at the mention of it.

“I have no idea why! It’s the dumbest name on the planet. There’s so many great things associated with St. Patrick’s Day, but maybe they wanted another holiday that started with an ‘N’ since his sire’s name started with ‘N’ [Night Conqueror]? It’s the only thing I can think of.”

New Years Eve enjoys birthday raspberries sent by the owner of Dead Solid Perfect, who was the oldest American Thoroughbred on record | Sarah Andrew

By all accounts, New Years Eve, who has officially turned 39 and is nicknamed ‘Axl’ due to Izzo’s fondness for Guns N’ Roses, is the second-oldest American Thoroughbred on record. Dead Solid Perfect, who died in 2022 at 39 years and 188 days, is believed to hold the U.S. record. Prospect Point reportedly was 38 years and 204 days when he died in 2016, while Lexingtonians will be most familiar with Merrick, whose passing in 1941 as America’s oldest-known Thoroughbred at the time was covered extensively in the Thoroughbred Record, which opined: “It is heartening in this day when commercialism and the stress of living would seem to have bludgeoned so many of the finer feelings and instincts into insensibility to know that there are so many persons who really love a horse, cherish the memory of his deeds and appreciate the sentiment that leads to his care and well-being long after his day is done.”

“Noble in Character, Worthy in Deeds.” Merrick’s gravestone at the Merrick Inn | Sarah Andrew

The Lexington restaurant Merrick Inn, which is housed in the former manor house of the farm where Merrick spent his retirement, is named in his honor. Merrick, who died at 38 years and 49 days, significantly outlived the previous documented American recordholder: Kenilworth, who passed away two weeks shy of age 35.

Does the record matter to Izzo?

“Not really,” she said. “It’s one of those things that would be cool, but at the end of the day it’s just a number. I really hope more horses surpass him. Bridget [Eukers, owner of Dead Solid Perfect] told me that when Axl turned 38. I think with all the advancements we have–better access to nutrition, better knowledge about nutrition, better access to health care–it’s going to open the door for more horses to live longer. That’s my dream. I want more people to become aware of better ways to take care of their horses. If there’s any legacy that Axl leaves behind, it’s that people take it upon themselves to learn better horse husbandry tactics.

“I really hope people aren’t just amazed by [Axl’s age], but it makes them wonder, ‘What was she doing and what were the philosophies that helped get these animals to this phase?’ I want people to learn more about natural horsemanship, learn more about how wild horses live and try and replicate that as much as possible within a domesticated situation. You’re never going to go wrong trying to keep a horse in a more natural state. Learn from your horse. They’re there to teach you, not the other way around. Listen to them.”

Extreme senior horses may be rare, but Axl is Izzo’s second. She also had a Quarter Horse mare who lived to the age of 40. She’s clearly doing something right.

“I cannot beat the drum hard enough to start treating your horse like a horse and not like a human child,” said Izzo. “This comes up every time we talk about Axl being old. First thing people want to know is, ‘What do you feed him?’ I can tell you what I feed him, but it’s irrelevant. I did a lot of research–really got into what makes their cells the healthiest–but I thought about horses in the wild. Why don’t they require corrective shoeing, why don’t they require dentistry, why are they so healthy? My number one thing I tell people is keeping a horse in a stall is a death sentence. It literally affects every aspect of their being. Their digestive system is meant for the horse to be moving, not standing in one place eating.”

It probably doesn’t need to be said that Axl lives outdoors on Izzo’s property, which is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Concessions to his age include blanketing during the winter, but that’s a more recent development of the last few years. Izzo said the heat of summer is harder on Axl than the cold of winter.

Axl has been with Izzo through thick and thin. Although she said it was love at first sight on her end, the longevity of their relationship has cemented their bond.

“My husband retired from the Army in 2008 and this horse was there with me through deployments, through so many military moves. I told my husband, ‘When you were in Haiti, this horse was there for me. I cried into his mane.’ And that was in 1995! I was 28 years old when I got him and I’m about to turn 59.”

After growing up riding ex-racehorses, Izzo always wanted a horse of her own, particularly a bay Thoroughbred with a lot of fire, “as if they’re not a dime a dozen,” she said with a laugh. She and her husband were stationed at Fort Hood in Texas in 1993, short on money but with a surprise $700 from their tax return. Izzo spotted an ad for Axl in the newspaper. With her arm in a soft cast from an injury caused by another horse, she borrowed a trailer and drove to Austin, intent on bringing New Years Eve home.

Axl’s breeder, owner, and trainer, John A. Howe, had sold him after an undistinguished racing career. “To Mr. Vasquez, I think his name was,” said Izzo. “This guy bought Axl for his kid’s first horse. They bought him pretty immediately after the track and knew nothing about horses, so they just kept feeding him what he was eating while he was racing. This horse was high as a kite! And then they were terrified of him, rightfully so, so they never took him out of the stall because they were scared to death of him. It was the worst recipe I’d ever heard.”

It took a long time for Axl and Izzo to come to an understanding and for the horse to learn to walk under saddle instead of run.

“We went through a learning process,” remembered Izzo. “I thought I knew what I was doing, but looking back, I made a lot of mistakes and Axl was not very forgiving. He has always been very opinionated, he has always been a very bullish horse, and he does not suffer fools gladly. I have loved him from the minute I laid eyes on him, but he has put me in my place more than once. He was a very difficult horse and I grew up with difficult horses, but he set the bar high.”

When the pair were a few years into developing their relationship, the Army got in the way with a 45-day notice of a multi-year, overseas deployment. It was incredibly cost prohibitive to ship horses overseas at the time and Izzo scrambled to find someone she could trust with Axl and the two additional horses she had added to her herd by then. When Izzo was finally able to return stateside after a year and a half to check on the horses, she found all three of her horses neglected and suffering from starvation. She immediately found a new place to board them, but was horrified. She told the van driver she hired that she knew the horses might not survive the trip and she wouldn’t hold him responsible if any of them died en route. Somehow, they lived, but it wouldn’t be the last time Axl hovered between life and death.

“Being away from my horses was the worst thing ever,” said Izzo. “There was a series of horrible events.”

Upon returning to the U.S., Izzo, her husband, and the horses ended up in Virginia. Almost immediately, the excellent barn Izzo chose to board at was faced with horses colicking and dying in a matter of days for no apparent reason. Four of his barnmates had already died when Axl was stricken. It turned out growing conditions for the hay had been just right for panicum toxicity, resulting in liver disease in 14 horses in the barn. Perhaps it was his fiery spirit, but Axl was one of the ones who survived.

“So it’s not like he lived a completely charmed life,” said Izzo. “His body went through some trauma that should have taken a toll on him. He’s withstood some crap that should have taken him out a long time ago.”

About five years after the panicum toxicity, when he was in his early 20s, Axl was diagnosed with PPID, or Cushing’s Disease.

“They say the life span of a horse with Cushing’s is typically within 10 years of being diagnosed,” said Izzo. “I believe he was diagnosed officially in 2009 or 10. He’s done remarkably well.”

Despite all the challenges, Axl has kept on trucking and Izzo has kept on learning from him and loving him. At this point, New Years Eve is not just vintage. He’s practically an antique. Even the Texas-bred’s pedigree rises from the dusty pages of history.

The oldest horse on his five-cross pedigree is the 1906 Bachelor’s Double (GB), himself a great-grandson of Bend Or (GB). Yes, that Bend Or from 1877. Other ancestors showing up in Axl’s pedigree within five generations include the great Mahmoud (Fr), Phalaris (GB), Ksar (Fr), Sir Gallahad III (Fr), and War Relic. His broodmare sire, Amber Morn, was born in 1956! As he had just two wins from 18 starts in lower-level races at Mountaineer and Atokad Park, none of those illustrious names had much effect on Axl’s racing talent, but it is still a jolt to see them on a living horse’s page.

When Axl was born in 1986, Ronald Reagan was president. Michael Jordan, just a year removed from his rookie season, hadn’t yet won an NBA championship. It was the year Oprah Winfrey’s daytime talk show went national, as well as the year of the space shuttle Challenger disaster and the year of the Chernobyl explosion. Top Gun–the first one–was released in 1986. CDs were still a few years away from overtaking cassette tapes, and it would be another decade before DVDs were even invented. Mobile phones were the size of a brick, while home computers existed but the internet was still seven years away from making it to the public.

Closer to home, in racing, the Breeders’ Cup would be contested for only the third time. Three sons of Northern Dancer held the top three spots on the year-end sire lists of 1986: Lyphard, Nijinsky II, and Danzig. Woody Stephens won his fifth-straight Belmont Stakes. D. Wayne Lukas had yet to win his first Kentucky Derby and Bob Baffert hadn’t even begun training Thoroughbreds yet.

It was also the year Sunday Silence and Easy Goer were born.

Sunday Silence and Easy Goer were beloved by millions and have long since passed away. New Years Eve, whose fan base is much smaller, is still with us. He may not have won Classics, but his title as the oldest currently living American Thoroughbred matters more to Izzo, as it’s a testament of the devotion a person can have for a horse and a reminder of why this sport captured us in the first place.

“It could have been just me and him in our quiet little corner of the world, but I just love the people that actually care about all this,” said Izzo. “It means a lot.”

Izzo hasn’t ridden Axl in four or five years and the last time was just a slow lap around the field with nothing but a halter on him. She said she used to ride six days a week, year-round. She would keep him forever if she could, but she knows his time on this earth is drawing short.

“He’s 39, not a spring chicken,” said Izzo. “He’s in great shape, he looks good, but he has been struggling to get up for a few months now. It’s not like it’s awful; all I have to do is put the halter on and give him a little bit of tension and that’s enough for him to pull against to get himself up. He just needs something to brace against to get himself up.

“I have been well aware that a decision is going to have to be made and I’ve been trying to put it off, but he has lost his spark. He’s always been a very fiery horse and I’ve noticed over the past few months that he’s becoming dull. I told my husband, ‘He’s telling me.’

“I’m not ready, I’ll never be ready, but he’s ready. Even though I could do heroic things and keep him going, I know it’s inevitable. I don’t want to sully his memory in any form.”

Julie Izzo shares a quiet moment with New Years Eve | Sarah Andrew

While Izzo knows losing Axl, sooner rather than later, is inevitable, it doesn’t make it easy.

“He’s been my horse for 32 years. It’s really hard to comprehend that he won’t be there. Keeping him going at this point is more for my comfort then his and that’s not fair. I used to work for a vet and the adage in the veterinary world is better a day too soon than a day too late. He’s tired. Deep down, I know it’s right.

“I just want to focus on him. He’s had a great life. I’m so lucky. Most people don’t get to keep their favorite animal for 32 years.”

When that day does come, Izzo doesn’t think she’ll get another horse. She’s able to face the question with dignity and humor.

“Right now my answer is no. There are several reasons; one is that I’m really good at keeping old horses alive! if I have another horse 32 years from now, I’m going to be in my 80s and 90s! That’s the first thing I think of: what if I keep another horse alive that long?”

After a hearty laugh that belies the pain of losing her dearest friend, Izzo continues.

“It’s an emotional thing. Any other horse wouldn’t be Axl. Those hooves are too big to fill at this moment.”

In anyone else’s hands, New Years Eve would likely have succumbed to his age long ago and would be just one of the forgotten thousands of horses who graced the racetrack once upon a time. But he matters to somebody. They all matter. May Izzo’s dedication to him be a reminder to all of us that love for the horse got us into this wonderful sport. And may this grand 39-year-old former racehorse inspire us to remember that every single one of them matters.

Today's Question

What is the record for the oldest horse in history and the oldest thoroughbred in history?

The oldest horse ever is pictured above. (stableexpress.com)

FIELDS, Thursday, 27 March

Turffontein Inside

Today’s Question Answer

The greatest age reliably recorded for a horse is 62 years for Old Billy (foaled 1760), bred by Edward Robinson of Woolston, Lancashire, UK. Old Billy died on 27 November 1822.

The oldest recorded thoroughbred racehorse was the 42-year-old chestnut gelding Tango Duke (foaled 1935), owned by Carmen J. Koper of Barongarook, Victoria, Australia. The horse died on 25 January 1978.

Click here to read about Old Billy