Happy New Year! It’s a clean slate, a fresh start, a blank page, and all those other clichés. This is the time of year that has everybody thinking about new possibilities and new opportunities. For sure, it’s nice to tie a fresh start to a calendar date, but in reality it isn’t really necessary. You can start afresh at any time, and there’s no better example of that than Thoroughbred racehorses looking for second careers.
Here are our three picks of the week who are looking for a fresh start of their own. Oh, and a belated Happy Birthday to them all as well!
Michazl John. Photo via Finger Lakes Finest Inc.
Michazl John (STROLL – BUSHRA, BY DANZIG): 2014 16.2-hand Kentucky-bred gelding
Here is a big-boned, handsome gelding that is surely just what many OTTB shoppers are looking for. Michazl John made just shy of $60,000 in his 26 starts on the racetrack so he’s certainly athletic, but his connections think he is ready to move on to a different career. According to them, he’s a good horse to work around and ride and the Finger Lakes volunteers who met him for his listing thought he was very classy and composed even on a very windy day. Michazl John is clean-legged and said to be sound with no vices.
Located in Farmington, New York.
View Michazl John on Finger Lakes Finest Thoroughbreds Inc.
I’m Old School. Photo via CANTER Chicago.
I’m Old School (KIPLING – W W OLD SCHOOL, BY ROYAL ACADEMY): 2010 16.0-hand Illinois-bred gelding
At 69 career starts and just over $130,000 in winnings, I’m Old School is a lovable warhorse who still has plenty of spring in his step. I’m Old School is sound with no vices or previous injuries and is being retired from his owner’s large stable to make room for some up-and-coming prospects. Like many warhorses, he’s a level-headed gentleman. He also seems very sweet and intelligent and should be a joy to have in the barn.
Located at Hawthorne Race Course.
View I’m Old School on CANTER Chicago.
Critical Thinker. Photo via CANTER PA.
Critical Thinker (ALPHABET SOUP – VEILED REFERENCE, BY LOUIS QUATORZE): 2011 16.0-hand New York-bred mare
This mare has been a good athlete for her connections and her current trainer, who she’s been with for the past three years. Her trainer says she does everything right and is easy and pleasant to be around, in addition to being very athletic. Critical Thinking hasn’t actually raced in the last year, but she does have published workouts as recently as a few weeks ago so she is eligible for the 2019 Thoroughbred Makeover.
Located in Grantville, Pennsylvania.
