Age just a number for 87-year-old harness racing veteran

Keith Pratt isn’t letting age prove a barrier for success at the track.

The 87-year-old has been in harness racing for over five decades and on Thursday last week added another win to his celebrated resume.

Kidwithagrin (Grinfromeartoear) was triumphant in the last at Maryborough with Michael Bellman in the sulky, the six-year-old causing a minor upset at $10.

The son of Grinfromeartoear and Valley Echo has only managed to win three times in a career spanning 41 starts.

“It was a lovely win,” Pratt said.

“He’s been ready for a couple of months. He had some bad draws and he ran some good races.

“He loves Maryborough and he goes well at the Maryborough track.”

The recipient of the 2021 Gordon Rothacker Medal has no plans of retiring any time soon as he continues to love the sport.

“I’ve got nothing else to do. I’ve retired and I’ve been in the game since ‘65. I’ve always had some nice horses,” he said.

“We have got two lovely fillies Barbara (his wife) bred before she passed on, so I’m going to race them.”

Pratt partnered with the late great Graeme and Gavin Lang with a horse called Crystal Sunset to win a 3YO Trotting Fillies Oceania El Dorado, and has also enjoyed success with horses such as Arrogant Al, Royal Walton, Artista, New York Skipper and Pannoo Lass.

After losing his wife almost three years ago, life hasn’t been the same for the Junortoun trainer.

“It’s been a bit harder now since I lost Barbra and everywhere I went she was with me,” he said.

“She loved horses and she bred him (Kidwithagrin).”

The key to having a successful career hasn’t changed much for the one-time Clerk of the Course, who has been a driver, breeder, owner and trainer through his time in the game.

“I don’t think I’ve done anything different really, you have just got to make sure your horses are in good condition and keep them sound,” he said.

“I miss the driving. I got too old for that, but I miss that. I watch the horses every day, take them to the track and I know how they’re going.”

The Pratt name might just continue within harness racing circles for years to come.

“I’ve got a good son and a grand-daughter, Taylah. She’s interested and I gave her one of the four-year-olds we have got here,” he said.

For complete race results, click here.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria