Northfield, OH — Jan. 1 is party day for all horses as tradition has it that all of our four footed family members become a year older on this day. One such horse that will now enjoy the Life of Riley in retirement is the French bred gelding Ursis Des Caillons (Kool Du Caux) who today turns 16 years old.

Traditionally, horses are forced to take off their shoes when they reach 15, but with horses having an amateur exemption of sorts, they get an extra year on the track if any owner or trainer approves.

The French bred gelding Ursis Des Caillons was retired after his final start on Dec. 30. Casalinova Photography.

Foaled in 2008 and raised in France, his earlier years on the track in France were in distances up to 1-7/8 miles before coming overseas to the USA in the middle part of 2018 as a 10-year-old. He came over with some credentials, too, with the equivalent of $298,314 on his resume.

He made his first U.S. start in a qualifier on July 13, 2018 and in an unusual qualifier of 1-1/4 miles showed his immediate potential by winning in 2:30.4.

On to the French-American Trotting Series at Yonkers, he won his first start at 1-1/4 miles in 2:26.2, followed that up by handily capturing the next leg at 1-1/2 miles in 3:01.3 and thenthe third leg of the series at that same 1-1/2 mile distance in 2:57.2 off of a mile timed in 2:00. He made a miscue early in the final of that event from the eight post but rallied to finished fourth in a game effort.

Since then, he made winning appearances at Harrah’s Philadelphia, Miami Valley Raceway, Scioto Downs, Dayton Raceway, Pocono, Yonkers Raceway, Saratoga and The Meadows with a final tally of 18 wins in the U.S. and $223,527 in bounty on this side of the Atlantic to go along with a 1:54 mark as an 11-year-old.

As a 15-year-old in 2023, his number was atop the toteboard just a single time — at 67-1 — and made his final appearance on Dec. 30 before a winner’s circle celebration marked the end of his gallant career.

Owned by Fox Racing, Inc., Ursis Des Caillons is one of a vanishing breed of horses that actually make it to retirement age in this era of speed.

In summing up Ursis Des Caillons, trainer Justin Ferrari said, “He’s just a rare type of equine athlete that would love to continue to ply his trade on the racetrack, but it’s time for him to enjoy some well-earned retirement where he can romp in the fields and enjoy life.

“He has certainly earned it!”