Marvel Fab’s Cowboy notches 53rd win in honour of late great Mel Schumacher and secures Living Legends retirement
The record-breaking Fab’s Cowboy has a home post racing at Living Legends after connections accepted an invite to spend his retirement there at the end of this season when he’ll be forced into retirement.
Horse Racing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Queensland’s racing marvel Fab’s Cowboy will be a Living Legend after connections accepted an invite to send the record breaker there later this year when he is forced into retirement.
The 12-year-old notched up his 53rd win in start 151 at Moranbah on Saturday in honour of the late great Mel Schumacher, who died on Friday.
Fittingly, the Bevan “Billy” Johnson-trained galloper delivered young apprentice Mel Campbell her first ever win in the saddle, in what has been a long history of kicking off the careers of jockeys.
Johnson, along with wife Mel, had been campaigning to get the famous horse to Living Legends and say they are proud as punch to have secured a spot there for his retirement, where he will benefit from an under saddle program.
READ | ‘Cherish forever': Famous hoop Mel Schumacher dies
“(CEO) Andrew (Clarke) from Living Legends has invited him to go there in retirement, which had always been our hope to send him there,” Mel Johnson said.
“To have that realised now, we couldn’t be more proud and we are over the moon to have that there.
“A lot of people have said we should apply for an exemption to allow him to race on, but it’s not something we have ever considered.
“As much as he loves doing what he is doing, and he is incredibly sound, if anything was to ever happen to him with an exemption, we wouldn’t like it at all.
“He isn’t ready to completely retire and sit in a paddock, he would sulk, so we had reservations about him going and sitting at Living Legends while people give him carrots.
“When we spoke to Andrew, he said they have an under saddle program, which is perfect for him, he will get great care there and he can do some jumping or dressage with some capable riders, which is what he loves doing.”
Wearing a black armband on Saturday in honour of Melbourne Cup winner Schumacher, 4kg claimer Campbell took the veteran straight to the front where he landed an easy victory.
“We were working out last night how many jockeys had their first win on him, we think it is about six apprentices that have done it,” Johnson said.
“He is approaching retirement but he is still giving jockeys their first winner.
“All the jockeys wore black armbands in honour of Mel Schumacher and the girl riding her, Mel Campbell won her first race, so I think old Mel was having one last ride.
“Cowboy grew wings and lead them the whole way, which he hasn’t been doing of late, especially with the drop back in trip to 1000m.”
Fab’s Cowboy is likely to continue on racing, with his last race tentatively scheduled to be July 27.
Originally published as Marvel Fab’s Cowboy notches 53rd win in honour of late great Mel Schumacher and secures Living Legends retirement