It might be fair to say that only the ‘age criteria’ racing rule, which is going to force the twelve-year-old Fab’s Cowboy into retirement at the end of the season, is the only thing that is going to stop him winning races, even at this late stage of his career.
The big news out of Moranbah on Saturday was multi-layered, but it was particular satisfying for connections to be able to confirm the fact that Fab’s Cowboy will be going to Living Legends when he retires, where he will join a host of former racing superstars in retirement, a deserved acknowledgement of his status … as that is exactly what he is to country racing.
Saturday’s win was the fifty-third victory for the Bevan Johnson trained son of Greenwood Lake, which further extended Fab Cowboy’s record for the most career race wins in the modern era which he established when saluting in his previous start.
Also, a really nice touch was the fact that the ‘old-timer’ Fab’s Cowboy helped the young 4kg claiming apprentice Mel Campbell to land her first career winner at only her second race meeting.
That first winner always provides a lasting memory for any jockey. Doing that on Fab’s Cowboy will have made it just that bit more special.
In truth, it was a celebration romp for both horse and rider as Fab’s Cowboy and Campbell won by 3.75 lengths (it was all the way back to 7.75 lengths for third place) when giving plenty of weigh advantage (from 4.5kg and 7kg) away to his five rivals.
It remains a fabulous story.
