“He's just the most amazing horse I've ever been around,” said Tiller. “I've won probably around 160 stakes races, and I've had some pretty good horses, but nothing ever like him. To be able to beat the best at the age of nine and to win 26 stakes, that's unheard of. At least not up here. What do you do for an encore?”

Responsible for a quartet of Woodbine training titles (1994, 1997, 2001, and 2003), a Canadian Classic winner (Win City, 2001 Horse of the Year), juvenile champions Rare Friend (2001) and Simply Lovely (2004) and millionaire Brass in Pocket, a Sovereign award finalist in 2003, the 72-year-old also trained a pair of Canadian champion female sprinters: Indian Apple Is in 2010 and River Maid in 2016. A regular fixture on the Canadian racing stage for over five decades, Tiller achieved yet another career high on June 19, 2020, recording his 2,000th career victory with Have a Souper Day (Souper Speedy).

“I was something of a 'Wonderboy' in those days when I first got going,” the Brampton resident said with a chuckle. “I came in and started claiming horses and had some good clients and things really took off quickly. We went through a period when everything was great, but then the roof kind of caved in. But over the last 30 years, we've had some top-caliber horses and achieved things with them that I'm proud of.”

A native of Amsterdam, Holland, Tiller immigrated with his family to Ontario at age 12 and it wasn't long before the racetrack came calling. Employed as a hot walker for John Calhoun at Woodbine Racetrack at 16, he later filled the same position for trainer Glenn Magnusson before becoming the point man for the latter trainer's Blue Bonnets-based string in Montreal, Quebec. After spending a brief stint at Finger Lakes, Tiller returned to Woodbine, securing his own license at 21. During his initial season, he captured his first win with Royal Greek Ship before rounding out the 1972 season with 21 victories. Continuing to grow over the next two seasons, he closed out 48 wins in 1974. As with many trainers, Tiller started off with an abundance of claiming horses, however, quickly started to show his ability with higher-caliber animals. Among them was Near the High Sea, who represented Tiller in his first Canadian Classic in the 1975 Queen's Plate. Overlooked at long odds, he finished second behind winner and subsequent Canadian Hall of Famer L'Enjoleur.

And while claimers made up a good portion of his early stable, Tiller explained it didn't take long to branch into a higher level.

“I had a lot of claiming horses early on, but I also bought and sold a lot of horses, too,” he recalled. “From the beginning, I just loved the whole game. Buying young horses and developing them–it's a lot tougher than claiming them, in my opinion. We seemed to do well with whatever we happened to have at the moment. I think in the time I've been training, I've covered pretty much every aspect of the business.”

Robert Tiller after winning his 2,000th career victory | Michael Burns Photo

'Pink' Panther

Offered at the 2013 Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society's Canadian Premier Yearling Sale, Pink Lloyd was secured for $30,000, along with five others, for a partnership including longtime client, Frank Di Giulio, Jr., who, in tandem with his father Frank Sr., also benefitted from Tiller's work with claimer-turned-Grade II winner Domasca Dan. Although two of those 2013 purchases never made it to the races, three of them ended up winning races and the sixth, of course, would go down in the history books.

“He looked like a very athletic horse and we were lucky enough to buy him,” said Tiller. “Early on, we got the call from the farm telling us he was sore. Since nothing really showed up on his X-rays, we just decided to just give him time off. These little things would show up and he'd be lame, but we couldn't really pinpoint anything major, so we just gave him more and more time. That's my philosophy, if a horse needs time, just give it to them. And I am very fortunate to have very patient owners. He's probably one of the best managed horses in Canada and that has a lot to do with the ownership.”

Making his belated debut at age four for Entourage Stable, Pink Lloyd, cheekily named after a character on the hit show 'Entourage' while playing on the famed rock band, won his first three Woodbine starts in 2016, but failed to take the next step up to stakes company through the fall of that season. Given some time off to work out a few kinks, namely an overly intense work ethic that often played to the gelding's disadvantage, Pink Lloyd returned the following April and reeled off six consecutive stakes victories, highlighted by graded wins in Woodbine's GII Kennedy Road S. and GIII Virgil S. Punctuating his sparkling undefeated 2017 season with a pair of Sovereign Awards as Canadian Champion Horse of the Year and Canadian Champion Male Sprinter, the chestnut picked up where he left off in 2018. Annexing his first three starts of the new season, he concluded his 5-year-old campaign with five stakes wins from eight starts, and once again was named the leading male sprinter in the country.

Pink Lloyd rounding out his career by winning his third GII Kennedy Road S. Nov. 27 | Michael Burns Photo

“We had a few rough patches with him early on,” explained Tiller. “He could be pretty head strong and actually broke through the gate at one time. And he bled once and we stopped on him for six months after that. He also has some foot issues through most his career. There were scary times when we thought it was all over. But he just always came back. He always came back.”

Tasting defeat only once from seven starts in 2019 and again from five starts in 2020, Pink Lloyd kicked off the current season with a pair of runner-up efforts in the GIII Jacques Cartier S. and GIII Vigil S.–a race he won on four prior occasions. Showing the tenacity that had already earned him an armful of Sovereign Awards, the champion sprinter took his next three, beginning with the GIII Bold Venture S. in September and the Nov. 7 Ontario Jockey Club S. before rounding out his illustrious career while securing his third GII Kennedy Road S. win Nov. 27. After a career that spanned six seasons, the Ontario-bred was retired with 29 victories–26 earned at the stakes level–from 38 career starts and earnings of $1,884,584.

“He got his two to three months off every winter, and I think that really helped him,” said Tiller. “But it is very difficult to keep a horse going year after year. Since I'm at Woodbine year round, you get all the seasons up here: intense summer heat and snow in the winter and everything in between. And we also had a pandemic in the middle of all that. To be able to keep winning like the way he did, it's just amazing. This horse has done it all.”

Asked if he thought Pink Lloyd would have been able to achieve the longevity for over six seasons with another trainer, Tiller laughed, “Well, the fact that I've been doing this about 50 years probably helped. I've had several people say that to me of late, and I don't like to think this is just my ego talking, but I was given a truly horse wonderful horse. I also think the ownership really helped me. I have a 35-year relationship with the Di Giulio family, and while we would talk about everything relating to the horse, they always left the final decision to me. And that really helped, especially with this horse.”

Moving on to the next phase in his life, Pink Lloyd received a hero's welcome upon his arrival at his new home, LongRun's 100-acre property in Erin, Ontario in early December.

“I just saw him at LongRun and he's so happy up there,” said Tiller. “He's looking good and adjusting very well.”

While the entire Tiller team rejoices in the gelding's moving on to enjoy his senior years in a more tranquil setting, the departure of the perennial champion has left a void in both the Tiller barn and the entire team's hearts.

“When we put him on the van, it was very emotional,” recalled Tiller. “Michelle Gibson, who groomed the horse for six years, was very emotional. We all were. We are quite sad, but there is also a bit of relief too, because some would be looking for something to be wrong or for him to fail. For him to go out a winner like that was such a relief. We have mixed feelings. We'll really miss him in the springtime when he doesn't come back in from his winter vacation. We've prepped ourselves for this. All good things come to an end. And the only way I felt good about stopping on him was because he retired while he was still on top. This whole experience was so very special.”

Pink Lloyd in the familiar Woodbine winner's circle, Tiller far right | Michael Burns Photo

Good People, Good Horses

One of only six trainers with over $1 million in seasonal earnings at Woodbine in 2021, Tiller–who concluded the recent Woodbine season in fifth overall–registered 20 wins, 29 seconds and 29 thirds, for a 38% in-the-money strike rate.

“You're only as good as your horses,” he said. “You also need good owners and good help. I've been fortunate enough to have had seven people who have been with me for over 30 years and I don't think many people can say that at Woodbine or anywhere else. It's a difficult business. You have to work hard and you have to love it. But the rewards can be very high. So if you love it and want to work hard, go for it. If not, maybe look at a career with computers.”

With the vast majority of Tiller's racing stock comprised of homebreds, the horseman typically maintains a racing team ranging from 30 to 45 head. And while it's tough to compete head-to-head with trainers whose string can amount to twice or three times that number (in some cases much more), Tiller remains pragmatic about the disparity among his peers.

“I'm a hands-on horseman,” he stated. “I've spent most of my life on my hands and knees in stalls feeling horses' legs and watching them jog up and down. Other trainers who have a lot more horses can't really get their eyes or hands on every animal. I'm not knocking it. They've made it work for them and have been very successful. I was brought up in a different time. If you had 40 horses, that was a lot of horses. You were always present on the grounds. But for a lot of trainers, that has totally changed. They do it differently than I like to do it. That's all.”

He added, “Regardless of the number of horses you have, you're only as good as your horse. I never had the type of horse that somebody would pay $200,000-$300,000 for. I was always the little guy's trainer. But we made it work.”

And despite facing runners from some of the biggest and most loaded equine arsenals in North America, it appeared that the 2021 season did in fact prove to be the year of the little guy. The stars aligned and a $30,000 Canadian-bred rose to the top of the ranks and took his trainer and connections on a ride of a lifetime.

“I'm getting a little long in the tooth, but he didn't seem to get long in the tooth,” Tiller laughed. “We are so proud of him and so in love with him.”

Might another sprint championship be in the offing?

“There are three certainties in life: death, taxes and Pink Lloyd winning the title as [Canada's] best sprinter,” he laughed. “I think he should be, he deserves to be and I believe he will be the outstanding sprinter. Anything else is icing on the cake.”

Tiller admits while the gelding's departure early this month was very hard, the champion's absence will really hit home later this spring when he would have been due to return from his winter spell. And while he will be physically absent, Pink Lloyd will certainly be remembered for the things that set him apart from the rest.

“The heart, the courage and the desire to win, he had it all,” said Tiller. “I'll never forget him.”

The post Life After ‘Lloyd’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The racing rockstar received the warmest of receptions on a cloudy, chilly day at the expansive 100-acre farm in Erin, Ontario, the serene place where over 50 retired Thoroughbreds reside.

A banner heralding Pink Lloyd's arrival waved as the striking chestnut stepped off the van after the 50-minute trek from trainer Robert Tiller's barn on the Woodbine backstretch.

Over one of Canadian racing's most remarkable careers, 'Pinky' made a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to watch him race and the many more who tracked his numerous exploits.

At his new home base with LongRun, one of the continent's most respected horse retirement and adoption organizations, and the first industry-funded adoption program in Canada, he made an impactful first impression on a new group of admirers.

“The second he walked off the trailer, he struck a pose,” said Lauren Millet-Simpson, LongRun's farm manager. “He knows he's special. He's a true professional. He took everything in stride. He knows he's important, but at the same time, he's a gentleman. He likes the attention, but he's also super respectful. It will be really cool to work with a horse like that.”

His entourage on that early December morning at LongRun included Frank Di Giulio, Jr, one of Canadian racing's highest profile owners and lead member of Pink Lloyd's ownership group, Entourage Stable.

Seeing the nine-year-old son of Old Forester settle in nicely to his new surroundings was yet another special moment for Di Giulio.

“He received a great welcome. To see how he was welcomed, the support he's received the last few days, it's overwhelming that's he been so well loved from all over. It's nice to know he'll be at a place where he'll be well looked after, so appreciated, and be able to enjoy himself.”

For Pink Lloyd's connections, it was yet another fairytale ending for the future Canadian Horse Racing Hall of fame inductee.

Less than a week earlier at Woodbine, Pink Lloyd put the finishing touches on an outstanding career with a brilliant score in the Grade 2 Kennedy Road Stakes.

Charging hard down the lane, he roused the crowd to its feet as they feted the decorated star with a chorus of cheers at the wire and then as he made his way to the winner's circle.

Smiles, tears and the highest of praise awaited Pink Lloyd.

“I think it's amazing,” said Tiller in his Kennedy Road post-race interview. “You know, he's a legend. He proved today he was a legend. I didn't think he'd win today. It looked awful tough to me and the only thing I liked was all the speed in the race because I've been saying all along, and not too many people listened, but he loves to run at horses. I was just hoping Rafi [jockey, Rafael Hernandez] would get room. I said at the head of the lane, 'You know what? Here he comes.' We're blessed to win this race and it's a tremendous way to go out. You know he's been Woodbine's horse and he's been Canada's horse.”

It was fitting ending to a racing life that yielded 29 wins, 26 of them stakes, three seconds and two thirds, from 38 starts, 2017 Canadian Horse of the Year honours and over $2.4 million (CDN) in earnings.

His numerous triumphs include four straight (2017-2020) champion male sprinter trophies and a pair of champion older male titles in 2017 and 2019.

In 2017, Pink Lloyd won all eight of his engagements, en route to his Horse of the Year title. He won four consecutive editions of the Vigil Stakes and Jacques Cartier Stakes, along with three triumphs in the Shepperton, Kenora and Kennedy Road.

Not bad for a $30,000 purchase at the 2013 Canadian Premier Yearling Sale.

Bred by John Carey, Pink Lloyd's popularity isn't likely to wane even though his days of taking on the best sprinters in Canada are over.

The crowd-pleasing gelding will continue to draw big crowds on a new stage.

“I hope people take advantage of it,” said Di Giulio. “I hope he is a nice attraction for LongRun and brings attention to what they do. It really is a win-win for everybody. He's so well loved. Even if people don't know a lot about horse racing, they've heard who Pink Lloyd is. Hopefully, he can attract new fans as well. To see him right up-close, that's a rare chance for a lot of people.”

Photo opportunities with Pink Lloyd for those who visit LongRun won't be an issue for the sought-after celebrity.

“He stands for photos like he knows what he's doing,” noted Di Giulio.

A picture-perfect horse for an organization that continues to play a major role in the welfare of retired Thoroughbreds.

“He is so relaxed and chill,” said Millet-Simpson. “He's never been here before and he doesn't know who I am. I'm holding him, his head is up and he's so proud. He just calmly looked around, took in his surroundings, checked out everything… you can tell how super intelligent he is in the way he looked around when he first got here, checking things out to see what was happening. To have a horse like him with us, it's just wonderful.”

Pink Lloyd's connections, which also includes assistant trainer Tom Lottridge and groom Michelle Gibson, might have to stand in line to reconnect with their beloved horse, but none of them perceive it as a negative.

Knowing that racing fans, young and old, new to the game or longtime supporters, can meet one of the sport's true talents face-to-face, is an honour for those closest to him.

“He's going to be here for many, many years to come,” started Di Giulio. “I'm biased, but I think he's one of the greatest Canadian-breds ever, especially, Ontario-sired, I'm proud of that too. What he's accomplished and his longevity, I think that's what makes any athlete great, is when they can do it over and over again. The Gordie Howes and the Wayne Gretzkys, that's exactly what they did. I think that makes him so special. Knowing he's going to be well looked after is really very comforting. I don't think we could have ended his career any better than the way he did. We got to race him for a long time and watched him accomplish so many great things, so now other people can have their chance to see what it's like to be so up-close with him.”

A rare opportunity, offered Millet-Simpson, to make a connection, even for a brief moment, with a Canadian horse racing icon.

“Fans, they see these horses on the track, but now they get to see this beautiful horse and feed him a carrot. You don't get to do that very often. So, that personal interaction with a great champion, I think it's going to be very cool for people, something they will always remember.”

The post ‘He’s A Legend’: Pink Lloyd, The People’s Champion, Finds His Forever Home appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The 9-year-old Pink Lloyd was retired to LongRun after his victory in the G2 Kennedy Road Stakes at Woodbine on Nov. 27, the 26th stakes win of the magnificent gelding's career. He was named the 2017 Canadian Horse of The Year, six-time Sovereign Award winner, with 38 starts, 29 wins and earnings in excess of $2.4 million.

The bridle was only ever worn by Pink Lloyd, and it was worn in all of his races. The auction begins on Dec. 12 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern, and runs through Dec. 16 at 11:00 p.m. A link to the auction will be shared on LongRun's Facebook page around mid-day on the 12th.

LongRun has been in operation since 1999 and has worked tirelessly to place over over 1,000 Thoroughbreds in new adoptive homes. It is the first industry-funded adoption program in Canada, and works directly with owners and trainers stabled at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, and Fort Erie Racetrack in the Niagara region to offer a responsible retirement option for their horses.

The post Pink Lloyd’s Racing Bridle Will Be Auctioned To Benefit LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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But we will always have the horse.

These beautiful, athletic, noble, graceful animals, they always find a way to make you feel good about the sport. Which is why so many people were smiling and cheering Saturday at Woodbine as Pink Lloyd (Old Forester)'s fairytale story had a fairytale ending.

Over the six years that he raced, Pink Lloyd, now nine, was never the fastest horse or the best horse out there. Since he never raced outside of Woodbine, it's fair to question his accomplishments. But there are other ways to measure how exceptional a horse truly is. Was there any horse more likeable or easier to root for? A horse that made you appreciate all that is good with this sport? No. It's not even close.

Pink Lloyd, who was retired after his win Saturday in the GII Kennedy Road S., is by a sire who stands for $4,000 and was bought as a yearling for $30,000 Canadian. He didn't even make it to the races until he was four. He appeared destined to be just another horse.

But what no one could have known back when he made his career debut on Aug. 28, 2016 was that this horse had something that few other horses have.

“I'll tell you what makes him so great–heart and desire and liking what he's doing and wanting to win,” said his trainer Robert Tiller.

Once Pink Lloyd got going, there was no stopping him. He made 38 career starts, won 29 times overall and won 26 stakes races, including three editions of the GII Kennedy Road S. These are the sort of numbers we are unlikely to see again.

He was named Canadian Horse of the Year in 2017 and will be named, for the fifth straight year, the 2021 Canadian Sprint Champion. But this has been his most extraordinary year, the year where he showed what he is made of.

Pink Lloyd finished third in the Kennedy Road in 2020 in his final start of the year and began his 9-year-old campaign with a loss to the 5-year-old Souper Stonehenge (Speightstown) in the GIII Jacques Cartier S. He lost his third straight when Super Stonehenge beat him again in the GIII Vigil S.

He looked done, at least when it comes to his being a top horse, and Tiller admitted that the gelding had lost a step. Behind the scenes, he was planning for his retirement.

But Pink Lloyd wasn't ready for retirement. The desire was still there.

He got untracked in time to win the GIII Bold Venture S. and then the Ontario Jockey Club S. But the Kennedy Road was supposed to be a different story. For the first time since August, he had to face Souper Stonehenge again, along with seven others, many of whom were half his age. Pink Lloyd was sent off at 7-2, the highest odds he had gone off at since April 15, 2017.

Never underestimate this horse. He won by a half-length and returned to winner's circle amid a standing ovation from those in the crowd.

“It was a tremendous way to go out,” Tiller said. “He's Woodbine's horse. He's Canada's horse.”

Making the story even better is the classy way Tiller and primary owner Frank Di Giulio, Jr. handled the end of his career. With Pink Lloyd finishing out as strongly as he did, it's not unreasonable to expect that he could once again make a lot of money on the track as 10-year-old in 2022. (He made $289,742 this year). But the owner and trainer understood what the right thing to do was. They let him go out healthy and still on top. Within a few days, his new home will be the LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society.

He'll be pampered at LongRun, which is just what he deserves after all he has accomplished. Pink Lloyd embodied everything that is good about this sport.

Asmussen-Santana Divorce

Ricardo Santana, Jr. rode his first horse for Steve Asmussen in 2012, the start of a jockey-trainer partnership that has been one of the most successful in the sport. According to Equineline, Santana has ridden 812 winners for Asmussen from 4,069 mounts. The two have teamed up to win 65 graded stakes. The list includes six Grade I's this year alone, the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, the GI Frizette S., the GI Cotillion S., the GI Hopeful S., the GI Spinaway S. and the GI Forego S.

But Asmussen is no longer putting Santana on any of his horses. He won five races Thursday at Churchill Downs, with Tyler Gaffalione riding three of the horses and Joel Rosario picking up the other two wins. This comes after Santana went 0-for-81 at Keeneland, with the majority of his losses coming aboard Asmussen-trained horses. Santana is 2-for-38 at the current Churchill meet.

Staying Away in Droves at Zia Park

Zia Park in New Mexico put together a terrific card last Tuesday. They had six stakes races, topped by the $250,000 Zia Park Derby. Flavien Prat rode the card and so did Irad Ortiz, Jr., who teamed up with Asmussen to win three stakes. The hope would be that a card of that type would generate some enthusiasm and bring out some fans. It didn't quite work out that way, which shows just how hard it has become to get people to turn out and go to the racetrack.

According to Tuesday's Equibase charts, the crowd at Zia Park was 650 and the on-track handle was a paltry $44,598. Actually, that was an improvement over the day before when the attendance was 300 with an on-track handle of $21,238.

Desormeaux Heats Up

Kent Desormeaux's off-track problems have been well documented and they threatened to end his career. In 2020, the Hall of Famer had just 29 wins, easily the lowest in his career, after missing much of the second half of the year as he was undergoing three months of substance-abuse rehabilitation. That came after he was suspended by the Del Mar stewards for 15 days after an altercation with a TVG cameraman in which the jockey is alleged to have used racial slurs.

It took a while, but he is back on track and again showing the sort of ability that once made him one of the sport's biggest stars. Desormeaux won two races at Del Mar Wednesday and another Thursday. He then won the GII Hollywood Turf Cup S. Friday and the GI Hollywood Derby Saturday.

After winning the first and fifth races Sunday at Del Mar, Desormeaux had won with seven of his last 12 mounts.

The post The Week in Review: Pink Lloyd Reminds Us How Special the Thoroughbred Is appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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In a field of eight, Pink Lloyd and jockey Rafael Hernandez were fifth early in the G2 stakes, with Clayton and Richiesinthehouse 1-2 through a first quarter in :22.75 and a half-mile in :44.72. Around the far turn, Clayton had a length and a half lead, as Hernandez and Pink Lloyd had to go three-wide to find racing room as they entered the stretch.

Down the Woodbine straight, Pink Lloyd was driving down the center of the track, catching Richiesinthehouse and then passing Clayton in the race's waning yards. The legend was first under the wire, his last hurrah a victorious one.

The final time for the six furlongs was 1:08.84.

Pink Lloyd paid $9.40, $5.80, and $3.20. Richiesinthehouse paid $6.80 and $4.80. Clayton paid $4.60

Bred in Ontario by John Carey, Pink Lloyd is by Old Forester out of the Great Gladiator mare Gladiator Queen. He is owned by Entourage Stables and trained by Robert Tiller. Consigned by John Carey, the gelding was purchased by Frank Di Giulio, Jr., agent, for $28,446. With his win in the G2 Kennedy Road, a race he has won twice before, Pink Lloyd has three wins in five starts in 2021, for a lifetime record of 29 wins in 37 starts.

The post Pink Lloyd Goes Out Victorious, Wins Kennedy Road In Final Start appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Campaigned by Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Robert Tiller, 9-year-old Pink Lloyd is set to chase his 26^th career stakes victory in the Kennedy Road, a six-furlong main track test for 3-year-olds and upward, a race that he won in 2017 and 2019.

“We made a decision this week to retire him after this race,” said Tiller of the seven-time Sovereign Award-winning gelding, who was named Canada's Horse of the Year in 2017. “It will be a bit of a sad situation because all good things come to an end, but it's been an absolutely fantastic ride. To me, he's the greatest sprinter we've ever had at Woodbine. It's been a wonderful ride, with some sadness, but on the other hand it will be a big relief for me, certainly, because it's not easy training a horse like this where everyone expects him to win all the time.”

Owned by Entourage Stable and bred by John Carey, the son of Old Forester launched his career in 2016 with straight three straight victories.

It was only the beginning for Pink Lloyd, a $30,000 purchase at the 2013 Canadian Premier Yearling Sale.

His trophy haul includes four consecutive (2017-2020) champion male sprinter trophies and a pair of champion older male titles in 2017 and 2019.

Pink Lloyd, who went 8-for-8 in 2017, won four consecutive editions of the Vigil Stakes and Jacques Cartier Stakes, along with three triumphs in both the Shepperton and Kenora.

The chestnut arrives at his final start off a win in the Ontario Jockey Club Stakes on November 7 at Woodbine. He brings a record of 28-3-2 from 37 starts, accompanied by over $2.3 million (CDN) in purse earnings, into the Kennedy Road.

“We're so proud of him,” said Tiller. “On one hand, it will be over, and I'll be very sad to see him get on the van and go, but I don't think anyone should shed too many tears because what he's done has been fantastic. We want to give him what he deserves.”

The fan favorite has built up an impressive following over his years on the racetrack.

That popularity will live on when he starts his post-racing life with LongRun, one of the continent's most respected horse retirement and adoption organizations.

He'll join over 50 retired thoroughbred horses at LongRun's farm in Erin, Ont., a little less than an hour's drive north of Woodbine.

“It's just an awesome privilege for LongRun to be chosen to give Pink Lloyd his happy retirement home,” said Vicki Pappas, a founding member and longtime chairperson of LongRun.

Michelle Gibson, Pink Lloyd's groom, will be a frequent visitor to the picturesque property.

“I have mixed emotions,” said Gibson, recipient of the Jockey Club of Canada's 2020 Outstanding Groom Award. “I'm elated that he is retiring but at the same time, I'm going to miss that face greeting me every morning. He deserves a happy life now. I would love to be there the first time he gets turned out in a huge paddock, just being a horse. Even though he will be gone from my stalls, he will never be gone from life. He is my heart horse.”

Regular rider Rafael Hernandez, a lifetime winner of over 2,800 races, continues to marvel at the veteran campaigner's ability to show up every time the gate opens.

He's hoping to end Pink Lloyd's racing career on a high note.

“When you ride him, you don't feel yourself going fast because he spends so much time in the air,” Hernandez recently told Woodbine. “He has a big, big stride. He's unbelievable… he's push button. When you're in a race car and you push the nose and say, 'Bye-bye,' that's him. When you turn for home and push the button, it's, 'Bye-bye, come and get me.' Every time I talk about him in an interview after the race, I tell them I am just a passenger. You need the horse to win the race. You can't say that you won the race. You need a good driver. With this horse, I am happy to be the driver.”

His connections are grateful to have been along for the thrill ride.

“He'll be a tourist attraction at LongRun now,” offered Tiller. “Vicki and her crew, they're going to love him, and he's going to be great for people to come out and see. I plan on being out there myself and having a few chats with him.”

They'll no doubt have plenty to talk about.

First post for Saturday's 11-race card is 12:55 p.m. The Kennedy Road goes as race eight. Fans can watch and wager on all the action with HPIbet.com and the Dark Horse Bets app.

To learn more about LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement click on the link.

$175,000 KENNEDY ROAD STAKES

Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Lenny K – Justin Stein – Kevin Attard
2 – Red River Rebel – Luis Contreras – Kevin Attard
3 – Tap It to Win – Kazushi Kimura – Mark Casse
4 – Clayton – Antonio Gallardo – Kevin Attard
5 – Pink Lloyd – Rafael Hernandez – Robert Tiller
6 – Richiesinthehouse – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Francine Villeneuve
7 – Smokin' Jay – Shaun Bridgmohan – Kelsey Danner
8 – Souper Stonehenge – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse
9 – Malibu Secret – Ademar Santos – Ross Armata, Jr.

The post ‘An Absolutely Fantastic Ride’: On Eve Of Final Start, Robert Tiller Reflects On Pink Lloyd’s Career appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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“There's definitely mixed feelings,” Tiller told the Daily Racing Form. “When it's all over, it will be a big sigh of relief. It hasn't been easy training this horse. I'll be happy for him and happy for everybody involved. I knew this day would come, and we've made the joint decision to retire him. All good things come to an end. He's not going to run as a 10-year-old against top horses. He's done enough. He's been amazing.”

A 28-time winner from his 37 starts thus far, the Entourage Stable-owned Pink Lloyd has current earnings of $1,786,083. He has earned seven Sovereign Awards over the past four years, including Canada's Horse of the Year title in 2017 when he put together a perfect 8-for-8 campaign. Tiller raced him exclusively over the main track at Woodbine, where the gelding's talents shone brightest.

This season, Pink Lloyd has left the starting gates four times, winning two and finishing second in the other two.

Among Pink Lloyd's victories are: G2 Kennedy Road (2017, 2019), G3 Bold Venture (2020, 2021), G3 Vigil (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020), and the G3 Jacques Cartier (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020).

Read more at the Daily Racing Form.

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From post two, Pink Lloyd took up position on the rail, a half-length off of Souper Hot inside the first furlong of the six-furlong stakes. Around the race's lone turn, Pink Lloyd pulled even with Souper Hot, poised to take over as frontrunner entering the stretch.

At the top of the straightaway, Rafael Hernandez gave Pink Lloyd the cue and eked out a short lead, but Souper Hot persisted, never allowing the favorite to get more than a half-length in the lead before fighting back. At the wire, Pink Lloyd had a neck on Souper Hot, with Told It All third.

The final time for the six furlongs was 1:09.52.

Pink Lloyd paid $3.10 and $2.10. Souper Hot paid $4.20. There was no show wagering.

Bred in Ontario by John Carey, Pink Lloyd is by Old Forester. Consigned by his breeder, the 9-year-old gelding was sold to Frank De Juilio, Jr., agent, for $28,446 at the 2013 Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Canadian-Bred Yearling Sale. He is owned by Entourage Stable and trained by Robert Tiller. With his win in the Ontario Jockey Club, Pink Lloyd has two wins in four starts in 2021, for a lifetime record of 28 wins in 37 starts.

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Bred in Ontario by John Carey and owned by Entourage Stable, the chestnut gelding, a 27-time winner, 24 of them stakes, arrives at the six-furlong Tapeta event for Ontario-sired three-year olds and up off his second straight Grade 3 Bold Venture Stakes score.

Trained by Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Robert Tiller, the nine-year-old son of Old Forester will once again have Rafael Hernandez in the irons.

“This horse, he's really strong and he can do anything you want from him,” said Hernandez. “He can get you in a good spot, but if you get into a tough spot, he can always find a way out. Last time, in the Bold Venture, there didn't appear to be much speed in the race. Was someone going to come and try to go with him fast early and then I wouldn't have anything left in the end, or were they thinking that he's a veteran horse and we'll let him go? Another horse tried to go for the lead, but he couldn't get to him. So, we had the lead and we went from there.”

A seven-time Sovereign Award recipient, including 2017 Horse of the Year honours, Pink Lloyd continues to be a fan favourite at the Toronto oval and beyond.

Hernandez, a lifetime winner of nearly 2,800 races, is one of Pink Lloyd's proudest supporters.

“He has so many stakes and he's a favourite horse of everybody, not just for me, not just for Bob Tiller, not just for his owner, but for the racetrack. I know people come to Woodbine just to see him.”

Being the pilot of Pink Lloyd is the ultimate adrenaline rush, said Hernandez.

“When you ride him, you don't feel yourself going fast because he spends so much time in the air. He has a big, big stride. He's unbelievable… he's push button. When you're in a race car and you push the nose and say, 'Bye-bye,' that's him. When you turn for home and push the button, it's, 'Bye-bye, come and get me.'”

Pink Lloyd's Sovereign bounty includes four consecutive (2017-2020) champion male sprinter trophies in and a pair of champion older male titles in 2017 and 2019.

He's recorded four consecutive victories in the Vigil Stakes and Jacques Cartier Stakes, along with three triumphs in both the Shepperton and Kenora.

Hernandez, who has 118 career stakes victories, hopes Pink Lloyd can add his lofty list of successes this Sunday.

“I talk to him, even before the race starts. I tell him, 'You take me where you want to go and do your thing. I'm going to wait for you to switch your lead and let you go.' When we go in the gate, I tell him to relax. He wants to go, but I take a hold and say, 'Not yet. Just hold on.' After the wire, we both breathe and I tell him, 'We did it, buddy. Good job.' Right now, I'm thinking about riding him in the race and it makes me smile. Every time I talk about him in an interview after the race, I tell them I am just a passenger. You need the horse to win the race. You can't say that you won the race. You need a good driver. With this horse, I am happy to be the driver.”

First post for Sunday's 10-race card is 12:55 p.m. The Ontario Jockey Club goes as race three. Fans can watch and wager on all the action with HPIbet.com and the Dark Horse Bets app.

$100,000 ONTARIO JOCKEY CLUB STAKES

Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer

1 – Told It All – Daisuke Fukumoto – Suzanne Drake

2 – Pink Lloyd – Rafael Hernandez – Robert Tiller

3 – Magical Man – Steven Bahen – Gail Hughes

4 – Souper Hot – Shaun Bridgmohan – Mike Mattine

5 – Dun Drum – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Ian Black

6 – Forester's Fortune – Patrick Husbands – Rodney Barrow

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After two tough Bold Venture experiences, the seven-time Sovereign Award winner made it back-to-back wins in the 6 ½-furlong Tapeta race for 3-year-olds and up.

Pink Lloyd finished fifth in the 2018 running and was declared a non-starter in the 2019 edition when he broke through the starting gate early. Last year, in his third Bold Venture attempt, the Robert Tiller trainee split rivals to earn his elusive first win in the race.

On Saturday at Woodbine, Canada's Horse of the Year in 2017 was once again at his very best in the $168,900 event.

With Rafael Hernandez aboard, Pink Lloyd was in unfamiliar territory early on, as the veteran campaigner was taken to the front in a compact field of five (Reconfigure was scratched) that was devoid of early speed.

Joined to the outside by Lucky Curlin, Pink Lloyd rattled off an opening quarter in :23.83, holding a half-length advantage of over the second choice on the board. It was status quo through a half timed in :46.68, as the cat-and-mouse game between the frontrunners began to heat up around the turn for home.

Pink Lloyd, to the inside, was engaged by Lucky Curlin as the pair straightened for home, but Pink Floyd dug in gamely to fend off the strong challenge enroute to a three-quarter length victory in a time of 1:15.13.

The son of Old Forester went off as the even-money choice and returned $4.10 to win. Lucky Curlin finished second and Lookin to Strike was third.

“I just monitored to see what happens,” said Hernandez, of the early strategy. “If somebody goes crazy, I'll just sit next to him, if they don't, I'm just going to let him do his thing.

“I know he [Lucky Curlin] was breathing next to me all the way, but I trust Pink Lloyd. I said, 'When you turn for home, you're going to stretch your legs and you're going to say bye-bye.'”
It was the fourth Bold Venture title for Tiller. The Hall of Famer won in 1977 with Pres de Tu and again in 2006 with Are You Serious.

Tiller, joined by his wife Gail in the winner's circle, was emotional in the post-race interview.

“I never trained a nine-year-old stakes winner,” offered the lifetime winner of over 2,050 races. “He's still out here beating the best sprinters. I'm just so very happy today because I thought he should have won his last race [Grade 3 Vigil, on August 1 at Woodbine]. This is not his best race on the lead, that's not what he wants. He likes to run at horses. He's a very competitive horse, but we had no choice today. Raffi just rode his race. As soon as the gates opened, I knew he was going to make the lead. We didn't want to get shuffled back because there really is no speed in the race.”

Bred in Ontario by John Carey and owned by the Entourage Stable, the chestnut gelding now has 27 career wins, 24 of them stakes.

“It's an amazing story,” said Tiller. “I don't think any horse is going to come along soon and do what he's done. He's running because he's so happy. He's sounder now than he's ever been. I thank the good Lord that my wife is here to see him. This one today is very special. We're blessed to have had this horse. He's an icon.”

In other Saturday stakes action, Miss Speedy took the $141,300 Duchess, for three-year-old fillies, besting nine rivals over seven furlongs on the main track.

It was Miss Speedy, with Rafael Hernandez aboard, who emerged with the lead in a tightly-bunched group, holding a one-length advantage after a quarter timed in :22.82. The duo was still running comfortably on the front end by 1 ½-lengths after a half-mile in :45.41, as Bellissime and Sweet Souper Sweet tracked the leader.

Hernandez called on Miss Speedy around the turn, and the pair started to separate themselves from any late challengers with relative ease, maintaining their two-length advantage at the stretch call for the victory. Aug Lutes was second and Salty as Can Be, also a Casse trainee, was third.

The final time was 1:21.10.

Although the plan wasn't to go to the lead, Hernandez was content to set the pace.

“I was thinking I was going to be second, maybe third, behind two horses that show early speed,” said the champion rider. “When the gates opened, my horse was in there, and I looked inside me and said, 'No one is going to go, okay I'll take it.' And then everything was on the horse.”

It was the third win from four starts for the Mark Casse-trained filly, who launched her career with a couple of strong performances this summer for owners Gary Barber, Ryan Shane Kerbel and Barry Kerbel.

Miss Speedy arrived at the Duchess off a fourth-place finish in the Bison City Stakes, in what was her first added-money test.

The daughter of Souper Speedy paid $6.60 to win as the slight choice.

Miss Speedy was bred in Ontario by Linda Mason.

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