Now cracks a noble heart

Ex Con wins for the fifth time, with the All Points West P'ship

There are no worse days in racing than when you have to say goodbye for the last time to a much-loved horse. Today has been one of those days.

Even sitting down to write this has made the tears return but I can’t finish the day without paying tribute to our old friend Extreme Conviction who left this world peacefully at noon. 

He’s actually been gone from this stable for more than three years but he’s never been far away as he retired to become an extremely valued member of the British Racing School’s team of horses, a fact which fortunately meant we were able to visit him regularly and hear constant news of his progress from our friends there.

Ex Con, ridden by Anthony, with Alcalde and John

Known by one and all as ‘Ex Con’, the giant son of Danehill Dancer had been an expensive yearling and initially joined Jeremy Noseda’s stable after John Warren bought him for €110,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale.

However, he proved to be a rather backward sort and two years later Ex Con ended up as an unraced three-year-old in the July Sale at Tattersalls, where John was able to buy him for the All Points West Partnership for 8,000gns. His owners Ken, Tim, Jason, Kevan and Richard were all big jumping fans and the big, rangey gelding appeared to fit the bill as a future National Hunt horse.

In the March of his five-year-old season he won a bumper at Stratford under Will Kennedy, and went on to win four more races over hurdles, three with Will in the saddle and once with Rhys Flint. Obliging in every sense of the word, the dear old boy even managed to spark huge celebrations by winning on Ken’s 50^th birthday.

With his biggest fan Gemma

Ex Con’s racing career wasn’t without issues. A tendon injury forced a prolonged break towards the end and he ultimately had a breathing problem plus the occasional bout of lymphangitis, which, combined, hastened his retirement in the spring of 2013. 

The Racing School takes on a number of retired racehorses each year and it was decided that Ex Con fit the bill perfectly to join their team. Not only was he a really easy ride – witness the fact that among this story you will find a photo of Anthony, then aged nine, riding him on Newmarket Heath – but he was also a very good jumper, making him a valuable asset for the jump jockeys coming to the school to complete their licence training.

Over the years, Ex Con became as adored by the team of staff and students there as he was while he was at our yard. He was stabled for most of his time at BRS next to a rather better credentialed jumper in the Grade 1 winner Our Vic, but I know he was every bit as cherished as his more illustrious neighbour. Simply, it would be impossible to find a kinder horse than Ex Con and this naturally made him a favourite of the students, a number of whom had never even sat on a horse when they arrived at the school.

Behaving like a true gent in a BRS lesson

Through the last few years, Ex Con continued to suffer intermittent bouts of lymphangitis, a condition which caused his off-hind leg to swell up on occasion, sometimes to a very painful degree. A lymphatic drainage expert eased the situation last year with the addition of a special boot and compression bandages but in recent weeks the problem returned with a vengeance and was causing him considerable discomfort. 

The BRS team, led by Julie Lingham, who devoted hours and hours of her own time to looking after Ex Con, did an excellent job in managing his problem and keeping him sound and happy to continue his role at the school.

Adored by his trainer, as he was by us all

Within the last week, however, it became apparent that we were fighting a losing battle and sadly, on veterinary advice, we all decided that it was no longer fair to ask him to carry on. It’s not a decision that can ever be taken lightly and, even though I knew deep down it was the best thing for the horse, I’ve spent the last few days questioning it and praying for a miracle. 

There was of course no miracle but I’m grateful to have had the chance to say goodbye properly, and to know that every avenue was explored in trying to save him. Many racehorses don’t make it to the age of 12, but for me, this was still far too young for him to have left us. We were so lucky to have him with us for as long as we did. 

Rest peacefully, Ex Con. I only wish you knew how much you were loved by so many.