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.{{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}}
Racing career
Bred by Ollie and Irene Haines,{{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}} trained by Robert Mitchell, and driven by Todd Mitchell, Just An Excuse won the following major races in New Zealand and Australia:{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrnz.co.nz/|title=Welcome to HRNZ|website=Hrnz.co.nz|access-date=25 April 2022}}
- 2004 New Zealand Free For All, beating Mister D G and Jagged Account
- 2004 New Zealand Trotting Cup, beating Elsu and Howard Bromac{{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 }}
- 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.{{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 }}