Still Got Game - By Richard Zwirn

re: Still Got Game - By Richard Zwirn

Harold "Chip" Everling — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:50:49 GMT

I definitely second Richard Zwirn's comments in Final Turn in the 10/31/09 issue.

The old, hardknocking veterans have always been my favorites. We have the Seniors Tour in the professional golf world. Why not in racing? The old guy, With Anticipation, winning the Sword Dancer at Saratoga under Pat Day is one of my favorite race memories.

As owner of an aging gelding myself, I would love to be able to enter him in a race for 6 year olds and up.

re: Still Got Game - By Richard Zwirn

green guy — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:03:30 GMT

This idea may help breeders/owners not start their racehorses until they are READY (3 or 4 years of age?), and to breed more SOUND animals so that they can last and participate in these "elder series" of races.

re: Still Got Game - By Richard Zwirn

Amanda — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:41:58 GMT

I laugh when you guys refer to 9 year old horses as old. On the show circuit, these horses havnt even hit prime. On another note, my soon to be 20 year old Thoroughbred by Gone West is THE most athletic horse still in the barn. THE most well conditioned, sound and good looking (and im not being biased) horse many have ever seen. He can still run em up at :11 his last bits (we gallop him 3 times a week to keep his cardio up) and he still jumps over 5'3" with room to spare. All this barefoot with no injections and a light joint supplement. I strongly believe a horse can go as long as you want, if you take care of them and give them a job and keep it FUN.

re: Still Got Game - By Richard Zwirn

LABob — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:55:06 GMT

Isn't it great that we don't need celebrities, politicians or athletes to motivate us to do something good and right. My cup gets filled every time I go to the farm to visit my horses...it's like a shot of B-12. My trainer always finds a place for older horses to retire. There are good people in our "business." Thanks for your story, it motivated me to go out and run this morning.

re: Still Got Game - By Richard Zwirn

Dreamer's Mom — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:27:56 GMT

We had two old "grandpa" geldings that raced until 12-they loved every minute of it! Retired sound as the day they were born. They hated it, but rules are rules.

As to racing keeping you young-I swear I age 10 years every time our 2's start the first time!

re: Still Got Game - By Richard Zwirn

Karen in Indiana — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:14:03 GMT

As someone else who turned 50 this year, I was feeling old until I heard about a 100 year old still doing daily yoga.

I hope that someone who can make it happen has read your ideas because they are industry-perception changing. There have been so many complaints about horses retiring so young that fans don't have time to get to know them. Well, showcase the older ones in a way that plays to their strengths and people will follow them. So many people already do.

re: Still Got Game - By Richard Zwirn

Doz — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:26:24 GMT

Amen! Wonderful thoughts!

re: Still Got Game - By Richard Zwirn

txhorsefan — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:42:32 GMT

What a great message you have written! In these days when so many young horses are so quickly taken off the track before we have a chance to see what they can do, I count myself a fan of many of the old timers out there still competing. I would love to see a series much like you suggest, and think it would be wonderful for the oldsters (who really are young for many other equine sport disciplines)to be able to compete amongst themselves rather than facing the three year olds. Thank you!

re: Still Got Game - By Richard Zwirn

Oldie — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:09:26 GMT

As someone who celebrated my 50th this year, and grew up not far from Finger Lakes Racetrack, I really enjoyed this article and applaud your effort - I couldn't run a marathon at 25, let alone 50! I rather like the idea of a Senior Tour for thoroughbreds, too!

re: Still Got Game - By Richard Zwirn

AGS — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:48:18 GMT

Oh yes, and no whips should be allowed during the senior races! I think the plodders know how to do their jobs at that point!

re: Still Got Game - By Richard Zwirn

AGS — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:43:51 GMT

When horses enjoy what they do, and are well-tended, why drag them from the life they have always known. Some horses prefer to be busy. One need only to reflect on all the great horses we have heard about who sulked when they left the track. Here's hoping the racetracks, perhaps on Grandparents' Day, put together the Geezers' Gallop, Masters Marathon, or Senior Sprints. Seems like a great way to get the entire family out to the track...and use the opportunity to fundraise for the Thoroughbred retirement groups.