Golden oldies: popular stayer Lord Erskine joins select group of 12-year-old Flat winners after Killarney success

Lord Erskine became the first 12-year-old winner on the Flat in Britain or Ireland this year when landing the 2m1f handicap at Killarney on Tuesday evening. In victory, he joined a select group of veteran winners on the Flat in recent years. Here are some of the other golden oldies . . . 

Not So Sleepy

1m5½f handicap, Newbury: September 21, 2024

The Hughie Morrison-trained gelding gained 12 wins under both codes and signed off his career with an emotional success – as a 12-year-old – in the Autumn Cup at Newbury.

Not So Sleepy had landed the previous year's running of the Autumn Cup and arrived on just a pound higher mark, but had missed an intended swansong in the Ebor on account of quick ground conditions.

Sent off a 10-1 chance under Tom Marquand, Not So Sleepy led through the early stages of the race and rallied gamely after being headed to claim a fairytale length-and-three-quarters victory.

• 'He's been a great star in our family' - fairytale finish for 'amazing' Not So Sleepy as gutsy 12-year-old wins on final start  

In a ten-year career, Not So Sleepy amassed over £600,000 in prize-money and was a dual winner of the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

Not So Sleepy: dead-heated with Epatante in the 2021 Fighting Fifth HurdleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Boom The Groom

5f handicap, Lingfield: November 5, 2023

The speedy Boom The Groom gained 12 of his 13 wins for trainer Tony Carroll and was winning for the third time as a 12-year-old when scoring at Lingfield in November 2023.

The son of Kodiac showed his customary early dash under Clifford Lee before fending off late challengers to score by a length and a quarter.

Boom The Groom (right): 13-time winner, with three of those wins coming as a 12-year-oldCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

He failed to add to that success in five subsequent starts, but earned more than £260,000 in prize-money in a remarkable 119-race career.

• Tony Carroll's 'amazing' stalwart Boom The Groom wins for first time at Brighton 

Lucky Beggar

5f handicap, Nottingham: October 12, 2022

Lucky Beggar gained nine wins in 131 starts, with his final victory coming at odds of 66-1 at Nottingham in October 2022.

David Griffiths' gelding had finished no better than third in seven starts as a 12-year-old and was 17 months without a win, but he was returning from a short break and came from well off the pace to strike under Graham Lee.

The grey ended his career with earnings of more than £145,000.

Read these next:

'Miracles do happen!' - Lord Erskine wins for 12th time as Harry Rogers hails his legendary stable stalwart 

'He's an unbelievable horse' - speedy veteran Dakota Gold lands 17th win on seasonal reappearance 

'I never thought he'd be doing this!' - Curragh veteran Big Gossey lands Listed honours on 40th start at the track 

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