One of the great warrior's of New Zealand racing, Mickey faced down the best

Mickey's Town, a legendary New Zealand racehorse, competed for over seven seasons under the expert guidance of trainer Jim Gibbs. Owned and bred by BJ McCahill, Mickey's Town descended from the esteemed Irish sire, Icelandic, and a little known mare, Walnor (Northfields). Throughout his illustrious career, Mickey's Town achieved remarkable success, securing 20 victories against formidable competitors Horlicks, Rough Habit and Bonecrusher. Notably, the Captain Cook Stakes stands as the sole Group One race among his impressive tally of 15 Group wins.

Mickey’s Town begun his career as a 2YO juvenile at Pukekohe on the 18th of January 1986. He ran 2nd to Yenolom, a grey colt that was up for sale besides future champion Tidal Light at the Claudelands Ready to Run sales, who trainer, Jim Gibbs preferred, and bought. His maiden win would come over 1200m at Matamata in September as a 3YO with Grant Cooksley in the saddle. In October, Mickey’s Town carried on his winning ways, successful at Ellerslie over 1400m and then returning 20 days later for his 3rd win. A 2nd in a Canterbury 3YO feature behind Steely Dan followed and then two fourth placings in 3YO Gr.2 events at Levin and Avondale.

In December 1987 Mickey’s Town failed to see out the 2400m in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby, however he returned two months later to win fresh up over 1200m at Avondale. Another win followed in a Class 2 event at Ellerslie before Jim Gibbs took the horse to Sydney alongside his stablemate, Tidal Light. He ran 4th in the 1900m Canterbury Guineas won by Tidal Light, but failed in the Rosehill Guineas. Returning in the spring back home, it took Mickey’s Town some time to find his feet again, eventually winning a Class 2 1200m race at Stratford in late 1988. Mickey’s Town ran fourth placings 15 times in his career, so he was always somewhere around the photo frame. He won again in June of 1989 in the DB Breweries 10,000 (1360m) on a heavy track at Wanganui. More close finished ensured before Mickey’s Town won the Listed Taumaranui Gold Cup (2100m) at Te Rapa in July.

From this point in the season, Mickey hit a purple patch of form, victorious in the Listed Honda Metric Mile at Otaki beating Horlicks in September, and then winning the Matamata Cup (1600m) in October. A solid second to Megabucks in the Gr.2 Lion Red Stakes was followed by his own Group win - the Gr.3 Rotorua Cup (2200m). The gelding then won the Listed WFA NZ Championship Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie, before failing in the Avondale Cup. More 4th placings continued until the end of the year but his 4th in the Air New Zealand Stakes (2000m) in February was commendable. Mickey would not win again until April of 1990, a nice victory in the Gr.2 Japan International Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga, before running a well beaten 2nd to Horlicks in the Gr.1 TVNZ Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie.

Gibbs then took him on another hit and run mission to Australia, running Mickey in the Gosford Cup (2100m) where he ran third. Back in New Zealand, the gelding excelled in the winter conditions, firstly winning a WFA Listed event over 1400m at Tauranga, followed by another win in the Listed Sovereign Lodge Plate at Waikato and a third straight win in the Gr.3 Central Bank Stakes (1600m) at Wanganui. He ran 3rd in the Gr.3 WFA Beamish Bloodstock Stakes in September, then won the Gr.3 F&P WFA Stakes (2000m), defeating both Horlicks and Rough Habit on a soft surface. Buoyed by this success, the team flew Mickey’s Town to Melbourne, where the horse featured. He ran 3rd in the Caulfield Stakes followed by a 5th placing in the 1990 Caulfield Cup, with both races won by Sydeston. He returned home and was put out for a decent break from racing.

Back fresh in February 1992, Mickey’s Town finished runner-up to the brilliant sprinter, Mr Tiz in the Listed WFA Ellerslie Stakes (1400m) before travelling to Trentham for the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m). In March of 1991, Mickey’s Town finally scored that elusive

Group one victory in his 51st race. In April on a heavy track at Ellerslie he was runner-up to Ray's Hope in the TVNZ Stakes, was 2nd in the Foxbridge Plate before winning the Central Stakes again at Wanganui. There was a 2nd in the Honda Metric Mile and another in the Mason Stakes. After a run of minor placings to round out the year his next win was in the Gr.3 Taylor Handicap (1600m) at Otaki. This would prove to be his last victory. There was a 2nd in the Rotorua Stakes, a 3rd in the Turf Club Trophy at Ellerslie and a 2nd in the Fairview Open Handicap at Te Rapa. His last race was a 6th in the Foxbridge Plate on the 14th August 1993. After seven and a half years Mickey’s Town had run his last race as a nine-year-old. The horse's remarkable resilience and sustained peak performance over 75 competitive races are a testament to his exceptional physical condition and unwavering competitive spirit, enabling Mickey to consistently challenge and excel against the industry's top contenders.

RACE RECORD - 75: 20-12-6

EARNINGS - $803,117

G1 Captain Cook Stakes

G2 Japan International Trophy

G3 F & P Stakes

G3 Rotorua Cup

G3 Taylor Handicap

LR Taumaranui Gold Cup

LR Sovereign Lodge Plate

Matamata Cup