But the 10yr-old's boisterous antics and no sign of an injury means King Charlie is back racing at the elite level of trotting - and not disgracing himself one bit.
The 2007 Great Northern Trotting Derby winner disappeared off the scene in May 2012 due to a hind suspensory injury, and that was meant to be it.
But retirements don't always work out as planned - just ask basketball great Michael Jordan, who ended up back in basketball after a stint in baseball.
King Charlie's trainer, Nigel McGrath, who is based at Weedons near Christchurch, said the son of Monarchy had been enjoying retirement.
''We retired him and looked to give him away as a riding horse, and nobody came forward to take him,'' McGrath said.
''After a couple of years, we saw him running around the paddock and his leg looked great, so we decided to bring him back in.
''He's been sound ever since. Something else could give way at his age, but at this stage, he seems fine.''
King Charlie almost provided McGrath with the perfect result on his race-day return at Ashburton in the trotters' flying mile in late October, sprinting late to run in to third.
''That run first up at Ashburton was really good - just the fact he went so good, I took great pleasure out of it.''
King Charlie continued on Addington, competing in the group 1 free-for-all on New Zealand Cup day and the Dominion Trot on Show Day, finishing fifth and sixth respectively.
''He was super the first day and was unlucky . . . and then he probably just didn't quite back up the second day, but he did his best.''
So to Methven tomorrow, which had been McGrath's aim all along, taking on Canterbury's best trotters over one mile on the grass.
''This is what I had been waiting for. I had freshened him up after cup week and kept him away from racing and trials and wanted to put him in fresh.
''He's really good over a short distance and has great gate speed so I thought this would be perfect for him - but then the marble came out.''
King Charlie drew barrier 12 - or three on the second line - with perhaps the only saving grace being that Dominion winner Master Lavros has drawn immediately inside him.
McGrath still hopes King Charlie's high-end speed will come to the fore over the mile.
''It's really going to suit him, that short race, for sure.''
McGrath has plenty of time for All Cash, who is a good chance of stepping out of the c1 grade from barrier 4 in race 10.
''If he can find the fence from his draw . . . he's a really big chance.''
