Winter may be too much for Tommy

Press, 24 April 1987, Page 37

Winter may be too much for Tommy

Mrs Jennifer Orr, the owner of Lighterman Tom, the oldest living standardbred in New Zealand, is worried that the veteran might not last the winter. “His heart is still very strong and he still chases the sheep if they get in his paddock,” said Mrs Orr at her Sutherlands home. “But he’s got a hurt leg and the winter might be a bit much for him.” Lighterman Tom, or Tommy as Mrs Orr calls him, is 40 years old — in human terms about 130 years old. He still posseses a stout heart and can break into a trot when the occasion demands. However, the days of bolting out of his box are over; now he just walks out sedately. Tommy was bred in Gore by a vet, Mr Bill

Pierson, and a department store manager, Mr R. J. Richie. The wellknown horseman, Wes Butt, took him in hand for a few years and raced him as a pacer during three seasons. From 22 starts he won once and managed two seconds and two thirds. Butt was surprised when he heard Lighterman Tom was still alive this year. “He was a thin, misierable wee creature,” Butt said. “I never thought he would still be alive.” But alive he is and fit as a horse nudging 41 years can be. Mrs Orr’s partner x bought Tommy for 45 guineas at the August sale of M. Matson and Co. in 1951 and for the last 36 years he has spent his time on the fertile farmland on the outskirts of

Pleasant Point. He served a number of mares, the last 25 years ago, and among his offspring are some well known racing names — Waitaki Gamble, Waitaki North, Bargee and others. The most notable is this year’s Interdominion pacing champion, Lightning Blue. Tommy is the champion’s great-grandfather and as such caused a stir in Australian racing circles when they discovered he was still alive. A story and photograph subsequently appeared in the “Sydney Morning Herald” about a month ago. Further fame may await him. Mrs Orr intends checking the Guinness Book of Records people to see how Tommy’s age ranks internationally. However, it could be a race against time.