“COUNTY” STILL A CHAMP AT 27

HE won the Group 1 The Metropolitan at Royal Randwick in 2004 as a six-year-old.

In doing so, he gave leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees his first major success, having taken over the stable just over 12 months earlier following the passing of his legendary late father Max.

It was mighty close. Ridden by Corey Brown and a $6.50 chance, the Newcastle champ grabbed American-bred mare Itemise ($15) right on the post, with Kembla Grange trainer Kerry Parker’s Don Raphael ($6.50) holding on for third after leading into the straight.

On the eve of another running of Sydney’s historic feature spring staying handicap – first run in 1863 when known as the Grand Metropolitan Stakes - County Tyrone is 27 years of age and being lovingly looked after by his carers, Lees Racing employees Andy and Mandy Hamilton.

That the Newcastle warhorse has lived to such a wonderful age should be no surprise to anyone, especially given the resilience and courage he showed in his lengthy career on the track.

County Tyrone with seven-year-old Kaci Hamilton

County Tyrone began as a two-year-old when second last of 12 at $41 in a 900m Class D

Handicap at Broadmeadow on June 9, 2001, and three runs later broke through on a very heavy track at home in a 1400m Maiden Plate, ridden by Mathew Scorse.

He went on to race every season until, fittingly, bowing out at his home track as a 10-year-old when a typically gutsy third at $31 in the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) on September 18, 2008.

“County” faced the starter 87 times for nine wins and 17 placings, and retired as the winner of just over $2.3m in prizemoney.

Those wins included three Group 1s; the 2002 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm as a three-year-old, and 2004 The Metropolitan (2400m) and 2006 Sydney Cup (3200m), both at Randwick.

He was also placed in two majors – the 2003 Sydney Cup and Brisbane Cup – along with five Group 2s, and twice was placed in the Newcastle Gold Cup (2004 and 2008).

We’ll let Mandy Hamilton take up the story from there.

County Tyrone with Mandy Hamilton during his show days

“County Tyrone was headed for the police force when he was retired after his Newcastle Cup third in 2008,” Ms Hamilton said.

“But that didn’t work out, being as quirky as he is.

“So he came to me as a 10-year-old, and has been with us for the last 17 years.

“I prepared County Tyrone as a show horse, and took him to the shows for three or four years until he got colic.

“We nearly lost him, and fortunately he pulled through.

“I didn’t take him back to the shows and he has been fully retired ever since.”

County Tyrone, a son of five-times Group 1 winner Danewin, who lived to 29 years of age, spends his days on the Hamilton’s 18-acre property at Booral, not far from Stroud.

Even as a 25-year-old, “County” came out of “retirement” to play  a very important role in Mandy’s marriage to Andy two years ago.

In her wedding gown and led by her father Des, the old champ took her to the couple’s nuptials.

Mandy Hamilton says County Tyrone is fed twice daily and wears a lighter rug during the day, and a warmer one at night.

“County gets very well looked after,” she said.

“And he deserves every bit of it.”

. HOOFNOTE: Apart from being Kris Lees’ breakthrough Group 1 winner, County Tyrone also was Max’s last Group 1 success in the 2002 Queensland Derby, when also partnered by Corey Brown.

Story John Curtis, October 1, 2025 - Pics Bradley's Photos & supplied