Oldest Thoroughbred in America Dies at 39

[Wandering Eyes]

New Years Eve (Night Conqueror), believed to be the second-oldest American Thoroughbred on record, has passed away in Pennsylvania. He was 39 and reported to be the oldest living Thoroughbred at the time of his death.

We shared his story in March, shortly after his official birthday. Called 'Axl' by those closest to him, the beloved dark bay was foaled the same year as Sunday Silence and Easy Goer. History's oldest-known American Thoroughbred, a gelding named Dead Solid Perfect, died in 2022 at 39 years and 188 days. New Years Eve was 39 years and 57 days when he passed.

Julie Izzo, who owned Axl for more than 32 years, said the record was not important to her. She shared a statement with TDN, which appears in its entirety:

“On May 13, 2025, the uncommonly long life of New Years Eve, more commonly referred to as Axl, came to a peaceful end. He had started to lose strength in his hind end and getting up was becoming increasingly difficult. True to his breed, he still tried with everything he had to keep going. But it wasn't fair to keep asking. One day, he paused in an effort to rise and looked me in the eye with an expression I'd never seen on his face before. He simply had nothing left to give. I had always promised him that I would not compromise his comfort for more time. And although he was ready, I was not. But I never would be.

“I will forever be grateful for our many years together. There will always be a piece of me missing. He wasn't an extraordinary racehorse. But he was extraordinary to me.

“I want to thank everyone who had a part in his journey. There were many farriers and vets along the way, but Dr. Melinda Freckleton and Dr. Kate Baldwin were instrumental in giving my boy so many good years. And a special thank you to Barbara Livingston, Sarah Andrew, Bill Finley, and Jill Williams for immortalizing him in print and photos. Axl brought so many amazing people into my life. Thank you to everyone who took an interest in his life and story.”

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