Just An Excuse Explained

Horsename:	Just An Excuse
Breed:	Standardbred
Sire:	Live Or Die (US)
Grandsire:	Die Laughing
Dam:	My Excuse
Damsire:	Smooth Fella (US)
Sex:	Gelding
Foaled:	4 December 1998
Country:	New Zealand
Trainer:	Robert F. Mitchell (NZ)
Record:	39 starts: 17 wins, 15 placings
Earnings:	NZ$1,047,157
Updated:	5 November 2021

Just An Excuse (4 December 1998 – 30 June 2008) was a champion New Zealand Standardbred racehorse, notable for twice winning the New Zealand Trotting Cup, in 2003 and 2004.^[1]

Racing career

Bred by Ollie and Irene Haines,^[2] trained by Robert Mitchell, and driven by Todd Mitchell, Just An Excuse won the following major races in New Zealand and Australia:^[3]

• 2004 New Zealand Free For All, beating Mister D G and Jagged Account
• 2004 New Zealand Trotting Cup, beating Elsu and Howard Bromac^[4]
• 2004 Ballarat Cup, beating Sokyola and Double Identity
• 2003 New Zealand Trotting Cup beating Elsu and Jack Cade
• 2003 New Zealand Messenger Championship, beating Sly Flyin and All Hart
• 2003 Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile, beating All Hart and Jagged Account

Just An Excuse was also placed:

• third in the 2005 New Zealand Trotting Cup behind Mainland Banner and Alta Serena
• second in the 2003 Auckland Pacing Cup behind Elsu

It was a testament to his class that he won the two New Zealand Cups and the New Zealand Free For All in spite of top-class competitors such as Elsu and Mister D G.

Just An Excuse died on 30 June 2008, needing to be put down after he broke his leg.^[5]

See also

• Harness racing in New Zealand

Notes and References

1. Web site: J is for Just An Excuse. Hrnz.co.nz.
2. Web site: JUST AN EXCUSE TO BE HONOURED. Breckon Farms.
3. Web site: Welcome to HRNZ. Hrnz.co.nz. 25 April 2022.
4. Web site: Racing: Just An Excuse beats Elsu in NZ Trotting Cup repeat. NZ Herald.
5. Web site: Racing: Just An Excuse breaks leg, put down. Tayler. Strong. July 1, 2008. Otago Daily Times Online News.