Docs Keepin Time, barn name Justin, is one of the most well known horse actors of all time, most famous for staring in the 1994 movie, Black Beauty. But even after, he had a lengthy career working in show business.
Despite his talent on screen, he originally wasn’t meant for Hollywood. Like many of our own horses, he actually started out life as a racehorse. That’s right, Docs Keepin Time is retired racehorse.
Could this be another possible career for your off the track racehorse?
So how did this racehorse castoff end up in Hollywood? Let’s take a look.
Early Racing Career
When the jet black foal entered the world in 1987, he had been bred for racing. With so many Quarter horses competing in western competitions or out on trails, it’s easy to forget that they were originally bred to race the quarter mile. But they are out there, and Docs Keepin Time was one of them.
He came from a line of quarter horse racehorses, with a dash of a thoroughbred line. War Admiral, the celebrated thoroughbred who once raced Seabiscuit, was the most prominent of his racehorse relatives. But even with a famous relative, not every horse is made to be a racehorse.
In 1990, he went to Bay Meadows Racetrack in San Mateo, California. His owners must not have had high hopes for him, as he was only entered into claiming races, which meant he was for sale. He placed 8th in one race, but did slightly better in his second, getting 6th. But even with that marginal improvement, his racing career was over.
Acting Career
When racehorses retire from racing, their futures can be uncertain. If they were successful moneymakers, they will go on to the breeding shed in the hopes of making more money makers. Others find new careers as show horses or pleasure mounts.
Justin, who was still a stallion, did not have speed to pass along, so racehorse breeding wasn’t an option. But with his striking good looks, his future did look promising. While he was still at the track, he caught the attention of Rex Peterson, a Hollywood horse trainer.
Peterson was providing the horses for the new show, The Adventures of the Black Stallion, and this was another one that would fit the role. Peterson bought Justin straight off the track.
Once on set, the TV’s star, Mickey Rooney, had a quick ride. Justin was perfectly behaved, and Rooney decided this was the horse for the show. Justin had just gotten his big break into Hollywood.
The New Adventures of the Black Stallion
Like many actors, Justin made his debut on TV. Justin was now the star of The Adventures of the Black Stallion. It ran on the Family Channel from 1990 – 1993, with 78 episodes.
The show was based on the book The Black Stallion, by Walter Farley, about a shipwrecked horse and boy. After the two are rescued, they stay together and become a racing team. The horse in the books and films is supposed to be an Arabian, and although originally three Arabians had been cast to play the role, they were let go in favor of Justin.
The show was largely unnoticed in favor of other more well known adaptions of the Black Stallion. But it built up Justin’s credibility as an actor, preparing him for the big screen, and his biggest role.
Black Beauty (1994)
In 1994, an adaptation of Anne Sewell’s famous book Black Beauty came out. The book was written by Sewell as to show people that horses were more than just work animals and deserved kindness. The book broke literary ground as being the first to have the story told from the point of view of the horse. He narrates the entire story, describing his life from birth to retirement, recounting both the kind and harsh treatment he received at the hands of humans.
The physical characteristics of the main character are well described, it’s even right in the title. Black Beauty was a handsome, black horse, with a single white star on his forehead. Luckily there was the very handsome Justin to step into the role.
The film did poorly at the box office, but is still held in high regard from horse lovers (including me). The American Quarter Horse Association awarded Justin the AQHA Silver Spur Award, giving for “Outstanding achievement in the entertainment field,” for his work on the movie.
Other Films
Although Justin was not the main horse actor in his other films, he was still in a couple of major movies. His next role was in The Horse Whisperer, although it was very brief. He was the friend’s horse in the very beginning, the one that did not survive the accident. His co-star, Hightower, played Pilgrim – and also had played Ginger in Black Beauty. Both horses were owned and trained by Rex Peterson. (Hightower really deserves his own post.)
He also had an uncredited role in the 2008 western Appaloosa, as well as uncredited roles in many other films.
Breyer Horse Model
In 1997, in recognition of Justin’s acting career, he was immortalized as a Breyer Model Horse. The model was sculpted by Chris Hess and was in production from 1997 to 1999. Today it can be found on ebay, for the generally not unreasonable price of around $25.
His Foals
While Justin was acting in movies, he also had a side hustle working as a stud. Rex Peterson bred him to produce Keepin Charge, who was also featured in the movie Appaloosa along with his famous sire. Some of his other foals are Samsons Keepin Time, who is working as a lesson horse in Georgia, and Starrin Doctor Sunny, who was a lesson horse and then later a therapy horse, until his death this year.
His Lasting Legacy
Justin continued to act until his senior years, captivating audiences with his on=screen presence in movies, TV and commercials. In 2013, at age 26, Justin passed away.
Justin’s legacy will live on in his films beloved by horse lovers worldwide, and will always be remembered for having the best adaptation of Black Beauty so far (in my opinion anyway).
He’s also an example of the possibilities for ex-racehorses. Although becoming a Hollywood horse may be a far fetched dream for most horses, it doesn’t mean it’s not impossible. It could happen, or there could be other opportunities out there, beyond the typical paths, for racehorses seeking a second career.