Red Mckenzie: Canada’s Longest-Serving Horse Trainer

"Age is just a number. You can grow old quickly if you have nothing to occupy your time." This perspective serves as a formula for longevity, articulated by Robert "Red" Mackenzie, who holds the title of Canada’s oldest active horse trainer. Born on January 1, 1927, Mckenzie is approaching his 98th birthday. While reaching such an advanced age is a rarity, his primary accomplishment lies not in his years but in his ongoing career at the Century Mile racetrack in Edmonton, Alberta. 

On June 23, 2023, at the age of 96, his mare Entitled Star, a 25-1 long shot, secured victory in the day’s second race. Just a year earlier, when Mckenzie was a year younger, the same horse triumphed in the last race of the day, again with jockey Megan Fraser, this time at even longer odds of 47-1. This feat made Mckenzie the second-oldest trainer in North America to achieve back-to-back wins in races.

He is close to matching the record held by Jerry Bozzo, whose horse Gusty Wind won twice in November 2018 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. At that time, Bozzo was 97 and turned 98 just two weeks later, passing away a month afterward. Prior to that, Noble Threewitt was the oldest trainer in North America when his horse Threeatonce won a maiden claim race at Santa Anita Park on April 22, 2006; he, too, was 95 at the time and lived to be 99.

These remarkable individuals inspire a mix of admiration, respect, and curiosity. People often wonder, "What do they do, eat, or drink to enjoy such longevity and remain so active, rather than spending their later years in decline?"

A Life of Authenticity

Mckenzie humorously notes that he was born the same year Ford began selling the iconic $460 Model A. He has dedicated much of his life to horse racing, starting with his first ride at the age of 10, learning alongside his sister at the Curries Riding Academy in Edmonton.

He entered the racing scene at 13, clinching second place with his first horse, Alaska, in Ponoka, Alberta, and winning his first race shortly after. By 17, he had become the leading jockey in his region, claiming 87 race wins, including notable titles like the Rimbey Derby and the Red Deer Derby.

In those days, the Old Western Canada Racing Association organised a tour that shipped horses and jockeys by train across North America, allowing young Mckenzie to travel extensively. However, by the age of 18, he had outgrown his jockey role due to weight gain. Rather than resorting to drastic dieting, he decided to stay connected to horses and transitioned to a training position in 1945.

In 1965, his horse Chariot Chaser won prestigious titles including the Canadian Derby, Saskatchewan Derby, and Alberta Derby. Perhaps his best-known horse, Grandin Park, placed among the top three in 60 of 114 races from 1972 to 1980, winning 29 times. Mckenzie’s training profile on Equibase reflects an impressive record of 5,712 starts, with 2,094 victories.

Fellow trainer Dave Nicholson praises Mckenzie, stating, “I’ve never met anyone who loves horses more than he does, regardless of their skill level. Mackenzie is remarkable; he still rides better than many young jockeys.” At the 49th annual Sovereign Awards, the Jockey Club of Canada honoured Red Mckenzie with a special award for his outstanding contributions to the sport. Achieving this accolade at 96 years of age, following a victorious race by his horse, exemplifies his enduring legacy in Canadian horse racing.

The Art of Long Life

On November 25, 2024, John Alfred Tinniswood, the world's oldest man, passed away at the remarkable age of 112. Born in the same year the Titanic sank and Edgar Rice Burroughs published "Tarzan of the Apes," he outlived Queen Elizabeth II and 24 prime ministers.

Individuals who reach the age of 100 are referred to as centenarians, while those surpassing 110 are tagged as supercentenarians; John Tinniswood certainly fell into the latter category. 

Japan is known for its high concentration of centenarians, boasting 771 supercentenarians (689 women and 82 men) and over 86,000 centenarians in total. This means there is approximately one centenarian for every 1,450 residents in the country. In Canada, the Gerontology Research Group reports 194 official supercentenarians, with 184 being women and 10 men.

The keys to longevity tend to be universal: a healthy lifestyle, nutritious food, regular physical activity, mental engagement, and a positive outlook on life, all while steering clear of harmful habits. Advances in medicine and the overall enhancement of living standards have contributed to increased life expectancy. Yet, every centenarian has their unique formula for what they consider their "elixir of longevity."

For John Tinniswood, he viewed his prolonged life as a fortunate gift and strongly believed in the importance of moderation for maintaining his health. Meanwhile, the longevity secrets of Japanese elders often include the practice of *hara hachi bu*, which translates to eating until one is only 80% full—leaving roughly 20% of food uneaten. Additionally, it’s crucial that they stay actively engaged in life; the concept of “retirement” holds little meaning for them, as they relentlessly pursue their goals.

A similar spirit can be found in Red Mckenzie, who still wakes up at 5:30 every morning and eagerly rides his bike to work at the racetrack. Until recently, he actively shoed his horses but now has one of his three sons, John, a trained blacksmith, take on that task. Reflecting on his long career, he noted, “Nearly 85 years at the racetrack is significant… I’ve seen many men who dread their jobs, trudging to work with a heavy heart. But I love what I do! Watching horses still ignites that childhood passion within me. That’s why I come here every day.”