Sprightly mare celebrates 37th birthday

HER prime is little more than a faded memory, but Bee Tee Times still has a spring in her step.

The first waiting to be fed each morning and capable of short canter when the paddock gate is opened, Bee Tee Times remains sprightly for her age.

As of last week, Bee Tee Times is an evergreen 37-year-old!

Despite her advanced years, the mare is "showing no signs of slowing down," according to owner Jo-Ann Larpent.

"She has a spring in her step every so often," Larpent said. "I was a bit late letting her out the other day and she had a canter into the paddock as soon as I opened the gate.

"Her racing days are a long time behind her, but she's enjoying her twilight years.

"She's healthy and fit for her age and still has a roll...she even gets right over!"

Making her debut on the Gold Coast in January 1991, Bee Tee Times was retired in April 1998.

In between, the daughter of Tiff N Time registered 10 wins and 26 placings from 163 starts.

"We've had her since she was a yearling and she's a real fixture of our property," Larpent said. "Her sister lived to 32, so they must have some good genes.

"The way she is going, I'd like to think she can still be around for another five or so years."

Amazingly, Bee Tee Times is not the eldest horse the Larpents have cared for, with their daughter Joedy's pony living until 42.

"Subzero the pony lived to 42, while we also have Call Me Nipper which is 26 here as well as Honky Tonk Hanover and he's 20," Larpent said.