27 Years After Setting Track Record, Influent Still the Main Attraction at Age 33

[Alibhai_s_Alibar]

I had the pleasure of photographing 33-year-old multiple GI winner and Belmont Park course record holder Influent for this story in the TDN. Jill Williams wrote a great feature with some heartwarming quotes from his devoted caretaker Gwen. There’s a link to his 1997 Man o’ War video in the story- he was something else! And I loved reading about his second breakfast, careful PPID/Cushing’s management, and other things Gwen does to keep him healthy and happy.

27 Years After Setting Track Record, Influent Still the Main Attraction

[Aussie_2020]

What a great story. (And great pix!) Influent looks in very good condition. Maybe some of the other barns with retired ottb’s should look to her for feed advice.

[Alibhai_s_Alibar]

Thank you! As the caretaker of my own 28yo PPID Thoroughbred, it was a real inspiration to see Influent doing so well at 33. We recently did another story about New Years Eve, who is believed to be the oldest living registered Thoroughbred: https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/the-worlds-oldest-thoroughbred-we-think-we-have-found-him/

There are several similarities between the two: 24/7 turnout, well-managed PPID/Cushing’s, and a carefully-managed diet. And both are so handsome and charismatic.

[Pronzini]

So nerd that I am, I had to look up New Year Eve’s pedigree since I did not recognize Night Conqueror. Wow is that an old school TB pedigree- tail male Princequillo through Misty Flight, and close up Ambiorix, Olden Times and Spy Song. Hard to believe as horse like that is still around.

Thanks for sharing!

[Alibhai_s_Alibar]

I was delighted to see that pedigree, too- nerds unite! It’s so fun to look at the names. The other mind-blowing detail that I realized while working on those photos is that 38-year-old New Years Eve was foaled the same year as Easy Goer and Sunday Silence.

So glad you enjoyed the stories!