Derby Trail Forums - Oldest thoroughbred to ever win a race in North America?

Behavin Jerry (foaled in Feb of 1964) won a $1,500 claiming race on September 7th 1981 at the age of 17.

In his racing career, he made 307 starts, winning 38 races.

307 starts is an incredible total. He averaged over 20 starts a year for 15 straight years.

Apparently he died at the age of 32.

Quote:

Hi,

My family owned Behavin Jerry. The owner's name he ran under is my dad, Tony Brodzinski of Auburn Township, Ohio. Jerry was forced to retire by the racetrack (Commodore Downs) after his final race in 1981 that he won. They were concerned the fans might witness him have a heart attack on the track and didn't want to risk it. Jerry was not happy. He retired to my parents farm in Auburn Township, Ohio (30 miles east of Cleveland) where he lived out the rest of his life swimming in our lake and enjoying his life. He died of old age at 32 in 1996. He is buried in my parents' back yard.

He was a small horse with no leg problems (which is rare for thoroughbreds, as you probably know). He was so mean, he wouldn't allow bandages to stay on. He used to let me swim him in our lake and that was the only time anyone was on his back from the last time he raced. He had a habit of trying to swallow his tongue and weaving in his stall. He remained active doing those things until he died.

Two of his trainers were Tom Romonosky and Larry Henniger. Tom in the earlier days and Larry at the end of his career.

It's an honor to have had him in our lives. He was definitely one of a kind.