How old is too old?

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

On another board, there's a rumor (for the record I don't like posting rumors but i'll make an acception since it's not bad news or anything.....) that the owner of Ellis Park offered to buy him and might turn him into an outrider pony.

I was hoping that there was good news behind the scratch, and if this rumor is true it is good news imo. I hope to get the real story because if indeed the owner of Ellis Park did this its a very humane act and probably also not a bad PR move either. win-win.

[FGFan]

Whew...glad to hear that, the scratch is not showing on Ellis's site.
And that is very good news, horse is now happy, owner is not under scrutiny, and owner of Ellis park did a good thing.

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by FGFan

Whew...glad to hear that, the scratch is not showing on Ellis's site.
And that is very good news, horse is now happy, owner is not under scrutiny, and owner of Ellis park did a good thing.

Its on drf.com, it also showed up on Brisbet when I logged on.

[FGFan]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

Its on drf.com, it also showed up on Brisbet when I logged on.

Thanks, your right, I didn't check there, drf. I usually check the tracks sites for late scratches, anyway I'm glad.
Shoot, sometimes it's easier to stay up to date here, this board is just full of info, at times it's like looking at old drf's with the info people have on pp's pedigree etc....really nice.

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by FGFan

Thanks, your right, I didn't check there, drf. I usually check the tracks sites for late scratches, anyway I'm glad.
Shoot, sometimes it's easier to stay up to date here, this board is just full of info, at times it's like looking at old drf's with the info people have on pp's pedigree etc....really nice.

yeah this is a good place if you want some quick info breaking news on horses/racing.

[my miss storm cat]

YEA! He's an Ambassador!

BH.....

Ellis Park President Purchases 17-year-old Alpena Magic

(Edited press release)

After Alpena Magic scratched from Wednesday's entries at Ellis Park, track president Ron Geary announced he had privately purchased the 17-year-old from his owner Kenneth Robinette.

“It’s time for a new career for Alpena Magic,” said Geary. “This horse enjoys being around people and the racetrack. His new role will allow him to be our “equine ambassador” for our new Early at Ellis and backside tour programs.”

Retired from racing with over $200,000 in earnings, Alpena Magic was trained by Bill Hicks. Alpena Magic was originally retired at age 15, but retirement didn’t suit him, and he became so depressed those around him didn’t think he would survive. Hicks brought Alpena Magic back to the races and back to a healthy mentality.

Geary was excited to add a new member to his team at Ellis. “I applaud the owner and trainer of this horse for allowing us to give him a new life here at Ellis Park,” he said.

Alpena Magic will begin his new career this Saturday as a featured guest at the track’s family-focused Early at Ellis program.

[SuffolkGirl]

Kudos to Ron Geary for doing the right thing.

[Pedigree Ann]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

YEA! He's an Ambassador!


Retired from racing with over $200,000 in earnings, Alpena Magic was trained by Bill Hicks. Alpena Magic was originally retired at age 15, but retirement didn’t suit him, and he became so depressed those around him didn’t think he would survive. Hicks brought Alpena Magic back to the races and back to a healthy mentality. .

I had a friend with an event horse who had the same problem with retirement. He had been a flat racer (14 wins in 115 starts and stakes-placed), a steeplechaser, and a novice level 3-day event horse. When he was retired to pasture at age 19, he started to deteriote physically. He needed somthing to do! So my friend leased to a younger rider for hunter classes. (That horse never stopped cross-country, just loved to jump over things.)

[Suffolk Shippers]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

YEA! He's an Ambassador!

BH.....

Ellis Park President Purchases 17-year-old Alpena Magic

(Edited press release)

After Alpena Magic scratched from Wednesday's entries at Ellis Park, track president Ron Geary announced he had privately purchased the 17-year-old from his owner Kenneth Robinette.

“It’s time for a new career for Alpena Magic,” said Geary. “This horse enjoys being around people and the racetrack. His new role will allow him to be our “equine ambassador” for our new Early at Ellis and backside tour programs.”

Retired from racing with over $200,000 in earnings, Alpena Magic was trained by Bill Hicks. Alpena Magic was originally retired at age 15, but retirement didn’t suit him, and he became so depressed those around him didn’t think he would survive. Hicks brought Alpena Magic back to the races and back to a healthy mentality.

Geary was excited to add a new member to his team at Ellis. “I applaud the owner and trainer of this horse for allowing us to give him a new life here at Ellis Park,” he said.

Alpena Magic will begin his new career this Saturday as a featured guest at the track’s family-focused Early at Ellis program.

Really looks like both the connections and the owner of the track were doing what they thought was best. On one hand, the owner/trainer saw the horse was depressed away from the track and thought even a leisurely jog in a claimer would be better than seeing the animal depressed or worse.


Then, of course, Ron Geary does a great thing in buying him.

[ARyan]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

YEA! He's an Ambassador!

BH.....

Ellis Park President Purchases 17-year-old Alpena Magic

(Edited press release)

After Alpena Magic scratched from Wednesday's entries at Ellis Park, track president Ron Geary announced he had privately purchased the 17-year-old from his owner Kenneth Robinette.

“It’s time for a new career for Alpena Magic,” said Geary. “This horse enjoys being around people and the racetrack. His new role will allow him to be our “equine ambassador” for our new Early at Ellis and backside tour programs.”

Retired from racing with over $200,000 in earnings, Alpena Magic was trained by Bill Hicks. Alpena Magic was originally retired at age 15, but retirement didn’t suit him, and he became so depressed those around him didn’t think he would survive. Hicks brought Alpena Magic back to the races and back to a healthy mentality.

Geary was excited to add a new member to his team at Ellis. “I applaud the owner and trainer of this horse for allowing us to give him a new life here at Ellis Park,” he said.

Alpena Magic will begin his new career this Saturday as a featured guest at the track’s family-focused Early at Ellis program.

Great story. This is a very happy ending.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

I was hoping that there was good news behind the scratch, and if this rumor is true it is good news imo. I hope to get the real story because if indeed the owner of Ellis Park did this its a very humane act and probably also not a bad PR move either. win-win.

Yes, first he cuts takeout on the pick 4 wager and now he is buying old horses!


I must say I like this new owner! He is good for the sport!

[unassailable08]

they scratched him I own a few horses that age, I could never expect them to go through the demands of a tough race.