"The simple answer is ‘no, I’m not retiring’. I probably don’t think I’ll ever retire. I don’t consider myself the kind of guy who is just going to sit around and do nothing."

Those are the words of longtime WEG analyst and racing expert Mike Hamilton. He joins Trot Radio’s Norm Borg on this week’s episode and discusses his future which sees him stepping outside of horse racing to pursue other interests he’s long wanted to engage, specifically travel. Hamilton wants to tour the world and will be packing after his last WEG broadcast on June 21st. Hamilton’s first stop will be Brazil and he'll be documenting his entire voyage.

"I picked the name 100Saturdays.com as I have worked almost every Saturday night since 1979 when I started charting at Barrie Raceway, and I now plan to do something other than 'work' for at least the next two years -- or about 100 Saturdays."

When asked which aspect of the game he will miss the most, his response is swift. “The people. The ones I work with and the customers at the racetrack whom I deal with every day.”

Hamilton denies rumors he is leaving Toronto due to the embarrassment of Rob Ford and The Toronto Maple Leafs, noting that he's "learned to live with futility.”

On a more serious note, Hamilton offers some insight on to what he’d like the racing industry to improve on. Specifically, "the disconnect between the customer that actually drives the handle which produces the industry and the people that produce the product on the track." Hamilton goes further "...and maybe throw in another layer; management of regulatory as well as of racetracks large and small.”

As for what he plans to do when his travelling days are through, he says he has no plans. Hamilton mused that he might pursue the marketing of the program software he’s developed over the years for the industry but he’s not sure.

Trot Radio - Episode 322 - Mike Hamilton

Audio Format: MP3 audio

Host: Norm Borg

The opinions expressed are those of the participants and do not necessarily represent those of Standardbred Canada.