On May 20, 2022, jockey Kelsi Purcell piloted New Mexico-bred McClassic to his seventh and final career victory in a $5,000 claimer at Sunray Park. But that wasn't the end of their story – in fact, it's just the beginning.
Purcell started her life with horses as a professional show jumper in her native British Columbia, Canada. After her competition horse suffered an injury, she lost her corporate sponsorships and had to seek work elsewhere. Former clients asked her to help them break young racehorses and she found some of her skills transferred. That evolved to ponying, grooming, galloping, and in 2003 she began thinking about becoming a jockey.
A move to Texas continued her racing education under the Asmussen family, and she rode her first race in 2007. She moves tack between New Mexico's racetracks and is a multiple stakes winner. Now, she juggles working Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses in the morning and afternoon with retraining and selling Thoroughbred sport horse prospects.
Purcell rides frequently for trainer Nancy Summers, who conditioned McKenna Thoroughbreds homebred McClassic in his racing days.
“I had known him his whole career, since he was two, and I didn't get to ride him until later on,” she said. “Then when I got with Nancy Summers, I got to ride him a whole bunch. I fell in love with him. I'd say, 'Oh, when he's retired, I want him, I want him.' There was just something about the way he moved, I knew he'd jump really big over fences. We say the rails are lava for him.”
The rangy son of McKenna's Justice and the Valiant Nature mare Classic Kari ran six seasons on the track, mostly in allowance and claiming company. By May of last year, he was seven years old, and Tom McKenna thought it was time for the horse to hang it up, so he gave McClassic to Purcell.
Purcell started McClassic as she does all her off-track Thoroughbreds – with something totally different from racing life.
“All of my horses, I start with the Western because I feel like it exposes them to a lot more and they can handle a lot more stuff,” she said. “When I'm riding at Ruidoso, I have a huge ranch I ride at, 250 acres with cattle, you can ride through the river. I'm really spoiled to be able to be there.”
From there, McClassic moved on to jumps, and Purcell's instincts proved correct as he demonstrated a big, correct, natural jump that always seems to be a foot or more higher than wherever the rails are set.
Purcell and McClassic capped off their first season together with a cross-country trip from their New Mexico base to the Retired Racehorse Project's Thoroughbred Makeover in Kentucky this fall, where they competed in ranch work and show jumpers. They were 12th in ranch and 38th in jumpers, and then stuck around for the Thoroughbred Incentive Program's championships later in the week, where they just missed the ribbons in the competitive trail event.
Purcell said she's thrilled with his effort.
“I thought McClassic did a great job at the Makeover,” she said this week. “I was so proud of him.
“I'm keeping him legged up with light work like jogging and walking out with the cattle. I'll be headed to El Paso this week for the meet at Sunland Park. There, I'm friends with a grand prix show jumper and I'll slowly get McClassic jumping again and get us doing some weekly lessons. Hopefully we can do a horse show this spring.”
Purcell has become a trusted resource for owners and trainers in New Mexico who want to retire their runners responsibly. Just before she arrived at the Makeover, she had sold multiple stakes winner Hustle Up to a new career as a jumper in Texas.
“I'm trying to promote these New Mexico-breds, because people just don't want them,” she said. “They do take a little bit more. They're not always started that good, so they do take a little more time, but they're amazing horses. You just have to put the time in and be super patient.
“There are owners out there that are wanting to help. We just need to get it out there that there are some great horses.”
As for McClassic, Purcell said he will not be for sale. She knows a good horse when she sees one, and she's not letting this one go.
“He's still a spicy jalapeno,” she laughed. “He's still a handful. But he loves his job so much.”
@paulickreport Meet Kelsi Purcell and McClassic, who competed in this year's @Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover after competing together on the racetrack. #HorseRacing #paulickreport #foryou #thoroughbred #retiredracehorseproject #thoroughbredmakeover #thoroughbredaftercare #KelsiPurcell #McClassic #SunrayPark ♬ original sound – Paulick Report
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