Just An Excuse

{{Short description|New Zealand Standardbred racehorse}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=November 2021}} {{Infobox sport horse |horsename = Just An Excuse |image = |caption = |breed = Standardbred |sire = Live Or Die (US) |grandsire = Die Laughing |dam = My Excuse |damsire = Smooth Fella (US) |sex = Gelding |foaled = {{Birth date|1998|12|04|df=y}} |death_date = {{Death date and age|2008|06|30|1998|12|04|df=y}} |country = New Zealand |trainer = Robert F. Mitchell (NZ) |record = 39 starts: 17 wins, 15 placings |earnings = NZ$1,047,157 |wins = |awards = |honours = |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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrnz.co.nz/news/j-is-for-just-an-excuse/|title=J is for Just An Excuse|website=Hrnz.co.nz}}</ref>

== Racing career==

Bred by Ollie and Irene Haines,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.breckonfarms.co.nz/news-item/just-an-excuse-to-be-honoured|title=JUST AN EXCUSE TO BE HONOURED|website=Breckon Farms}}</ref> trained by Robert Mitchell, and driven by Todd Mitchell, Just An Excuse won the following major races in New Zealand and Australia:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrnz.co.nz/|title=Welcome to HRNZ|website=Hrnz.co.nz|access-date=25 April 2022}}</ref> * 2004 New Zealand Free For All, beating Mister D G and Jagged Account * 2004 New Zealand Trotting Cup, beating Elsu and Howard Bromac<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/racing-just-an-excuse-beats-elsu-in-nz-trotting-cup-repeat/TD4FOFHBCD6WB2QEHCXKCW6OMA/|title=Racing: Just An Excuse beats Elsu in NZ Trotting Cup repeat|website=The New Zealand Herald }}</ref> * 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/racing/racing-just-excuse-breaks-leg-put-down|title=Racing: Just An Excuse breaks leg, put down|first=Tayler|last=Strong|date=July 1, 2008|website=Otago Daily Times }}</ref>

==See also== * Harness racing in New Zealand

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:1998 racehorse births Category:Harness racing in New Zealand Category:New Zealand standardbred racehorses Category:New Zealand Trotting Cup winners Category:2008 racehorse deaths