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‘He Brightens Any Day’: The Good Life At LongRun For ‘Portsie’

For Wendy Muir, the horse that's overcome the odds is the gift that keeps on giving.

Ports N Porsches, or 'Portsie,' to those who know him best, is one of over 50 retired Thoroughbreds that reside at the 100-acre farm belonging to LongRun, one of the continent's most respected horse retirement and adoption organizations and the first industry-funded adoption program in Canada.

He is, among many things, a crowd pleaser, a horse who humbly draws attention and raises his head proudly whenever someone walks towards him, hand extended to deliver a pat and a few carrots.

Those scenes, the ones that play out hundreds of times throughout the year when visitors come to the property, never grow old for the people who work at LongRun, including its Executive Administrator.

“He is always happy to see you,” said Muir. “I've never seen him pin his ears or show any aggression to anyone or other horse. He is just a lovely soul.”

That he has found a home at LongRun, nestled in the hills of Erin, Ontario, is a minor miracle of sorts.

On the racetrack, Ports N Porsches carved out a solid career, mostly at Woodbine, winning nine races and hitting the top three 30 times from 67 starts, accompanied by earnings in excess of $300,000.

Bred by John Franks, the stakes-placed bay gelding was a consistent competitor throughout his racing life. In 2011, in what was his final campaign, he didn't make it to the winner's circle, but did post four runner-up efforts in seven starts.

Ports n Porsches' last race came on October 31 of that year, a second-place showing at Fort Erie.

He would eventually make his way to LongRun nearly eight years ago, but not before enduring some difficult circumstances.

Foaled in Florida in January of 2003, Ports N Porsches, was brought to LongRun's foster farm in Peterborough, Ontario in July of 2014, where he was cared for by manager Amanda Blake.

“We weren't sure he was going to make it through the night,” recalled Muir. “But, we had the vet there and Amanda stayed with him, hand-feeding him and taking care of him on that first night. Any chance she had, she would sit on a bucket in his stall to be with him. After 10 days, he came over to Amanda and put his head in her lap. We all knew right then that he was going to be okay.”

Muir, who was the groom of Ports N Porsches' sire, Native Regent, felt a deep connection to the horse.

So, too, did Vicki Pappas, Chairperson and a founding member of LongRun, who once owned the horse's dam, Ritzy Lady.

“We look at him as our grandson,” said Muir. “We both have a history with his family, and for us, it means the world that we can have him here and know that he is happy and content. The farm here opened in 2016, and we were thrilled and very emotional the day that he arrived.”

It is very much home, sweet, home for Portsie, who is partially sponsored by Jean Heathcote.

If she happens to be having a tough day, Muir doesn't have to walk far to find the remedy.

“I smile whenever I see him,” she said. “He brightens any day and makes me feel better.”

Just as he does with anyone who interacts with him.

As for who gets more joy out of those playful moments, Muir considers it a dead-heat.

“I know the effect he has on people, and I love seeing how charming he is and how people respond so positively to him. He is a great ambassador for Thoroughbreds and helps people see how important our program is.”

When asked what three words describe him best, Muir took an informal poll of LongRun staff.

Muir chose “happy, willing and smart.” Farm manager Lauren Millet-Simpson went with, “intelligent, kind and charming.” Tania Veenstra, a farm worker, opted for “handsome, strong and playful.” Finally, Julie Belanger, the organization's media manager, offered, “sweet, intuitive, trusting.”

Each word is a perfect one, noted Muir.

“He truly is a special horse. We're so fortunate to have him here with us. I'm sure he knows how much he's cared for, how much happiness he brings to us and so many other people, and how much happiness he gets from all that attention.”

Typically, Ports N Porsches will fashion some form of holiday-themed adornment around this time of year.

And whatever it happens to be, the soon-to-be 19-year-old horse never fusses.

It's indeed rather fitting he would sport an unmistakably festive Christmas look.

After all, Portsie is, in every sense of the term, a gift to Muir and many more.

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‘An Absolutely Fantastic Ride’: On Eve Of Final Start, Robert Tiller Reflects On Pink Lloyd’s Career

Pink Lloyd, one of Canada's most decorated champions, will make the final start of his illustrious career in Saturday's Grade 2 $175,000 Kennedy Road Stakes at Woodbine in Toronto, Ont.

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.

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The Gift Of ‘Something Extra’: Trainer Gail Cox ‘So Happy’ To Have Millionaire At LongRun

Gail Cox didn't need to be standing at the fence to know how the scenes would play out.

On a sunny, crisp autumn day at the picturesque farm, the treelined 100-acre home to over 50 retired Thoroughbred horses, a group of visitors strolled about the property, carrots in hand, happily interacting with the horses.

“This guy, who we call Charlie, was a million-dollar earner on the racetrack,” heralded Vicki Pappas to those who had gathered. “He loves people and he loves attention.”

Pappas, a founding member and longtime chairperson of LongRun, one of the continent's most respected horse retirement and adoption organizations, and the first industry-funded adoption program in Canada, appreciates the presence, personality and popularity of the horse known as Something Extra during his racing days.

“He is such a hambone and a wonderful ambassador when we have visitors to the farm… they all love to meet a millionaire,” said Pappas, who was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame this year in the Builder category. “You can tell how much ego he has, and that's what made him such a good racehorse. When his paddock mates start running around, he likes to lag behind them, pretending he can't keep up, and then just comes on and blows them away. But you can see that he loves the attention and adulation from anyone he meets.”

That was more than evident on this day as the 13-year-old gelding readily, although gently, accepted each carrot he was given, nudging his head forward to take as many pats as he was offered.

For Cox, the woman who trained and co-owns the dark bay son of Indian Charlie, those moments, something she's heard of countless times, always elicit a wide smile.

“He's a real people horse, he always has been,” noted the multiple graded stakes winning conditioner.

Bred in Kentucky by Gulf Coast Farms, Something Extra was originally purchased for $85,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale by Cox for herself and co-owner John Menary.

Competing mainly at Woodbine, Something Extra recorded his first stakes win in the Grade 2 Connaught Cup in 2012 and repeated that feat one year later. In 2014, he won the Grade 2 Highlander Stakes, and in 2015 he took his show on the road to win Keeneland's Grade 3 Shakertown. He contested two Breeders' Cup Turf Sprints, in 2014 and 2015. After a handful of graded stakes efforts in 2016, he was retired with a career mark of 9-10-7 from 39 career starts, along with earnings of $1,015,394.

“He had this wonderful natural speed,” praised Cox. “He went fast very easily and carried that speed so well. Three-quarters was a great distance for him, but nothing ever shook him up. That win in the Shakertown was probably the one race that stands out for me. It's not easy to win a stakes race at Keeneland, but he did, and he did it so impressively.”

When his racing days were through, Cox's attempt to convert Something Extra into her track pony didn't pan out – his competitive spirit couldn't be satiated by walking babies to and from the track.

“That was my original idea, to make him my pony because I didn't want to let him go,” recalled Cox. “The barn, everyone loved him. He had all of us trained. But he wanted no part of being a pony – too much racehorse. He had started the pony training in Ocala, and it was going fine. But he likes to be the boss around other horses, so when they would lay against him, he didn't like that. So, that didn't work out. Charlie would have none of it.”

She then thought of LongRun.

Cox warmed to the idea of seeing her beloved horse live a serene life in retirement, one where he could interact with other horses and the hundreds of visitors the property sees throughout the year.

“I'm so happy that LongRun exists,” said Cox. “He was a really special horse for us and he still is. He's a horse that I will protect for the rest of his life. The first year at the farm, seeing him look different than he did on the track, it was very strange to see him like that. But he looks fantastic. They found the right horses for him to be turned out with… I'm so happy that he's there.”

Cox, who along with Menary, fully sponsors Something Extra, visits the farm several times throughout the year.

“It's obvious that she loves him to death, pays him lots of visits and tells us how great he looks,” said Pappas. “That means the world to all of us at LongRun, makes what we do worthwhile to know our efforts and those of this lovely horse are appreciated.”

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Scorching summer afternoons, bone-chilling winter mornings and everything else in between, Cox, always bearing some type of gift for Charlie, is never in a rush when she's at LongRun's facility, situated a little less than an hour's drive north of Woodbine Racetrack.

“I see him before I go to Florida with my horses in the winter, as soon as I come back, and other times too.”

Those are, she said with a smile, times well spent.

“Whenever I see him, it brings back a lot of wonderful memories, those two Breeders' Cups, winning that stake in Kentucky. Every time I pull into the property, so many things go through my mind. Just seeing him happy makes me happy. I always bring him carrots and mints.”

The latter is a must-have on Cox's trips to LongRun.

“He's a mint hound. He'll do anything for those. They took him to a fair a couple of years ago, before COVID, and put him in a paddock where he could walk around. He'd follow everyone who had mints and when they'd stop, so would he. I love hearing those stories and I also just love having that one-on-one time with him.”

Those moments often stir recollections of the bond the two had forged years ago.

“I don't know… it just kind of happened. That connection really progressed when he was three. I would get on him, back when I was galloping, and we really clicked. Then there was the traveling. Any racetrack he went to, I also went there in some capacity. I always wanted him to know I was there for him.”

She still does.

As for those scenes, the playful interactions between Charlie and everyone he meets, they will always hold special meaning for Cox.

“I know how much he loves people and I hope people get that sense from him, that he gave them a special experience.”

Hopeful, that he was able to provide all with the same two words found on his halter.

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Each Horse Tells A Story In LongRun Graduate Virtual Race To The Plate

The LongRun Graduate Virtual Race to the Plate is going to great lengths to make a difference for nearly 40 Thoroughbreds.

As Vicki Pappas sees it, the fundraising event is a win-win for everyone, horse and human.

A total of 39 graduates of LongRun, one of the first adoption and placement programs for Thoroughbred racehorses in Ontario, are part of Race to the Plate, an initiative that invites people to sponsor a horse to a maximum of $25 per person, with each $5 donation providing one length for the horse as part of a contest that culminates with a winner being announced on Aug. 22, Queen's Plate day at Woodbine Racetrack.

“One of our TAA [Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance] partners, Maryland Horse Rescue, they did an event like this around the Preakness,” said Pappas, LongRun's Chair and one of its founding members. “We thought it was a great idea. We're not able to have a big gala like we usually do to fundraise, so this was this alternative. And it seems to be working out extremely well.”

Photos and short bios of the horses are featured on the LongRun website at longrunretirement.com/race-2021.

There are several familiar faces, including 2010 Queen's Plate champ Big Red Mike, now thriving as a dressage competitor, multiple stakes winners Melmich and Pumpkin Rumble, and 13-time winner Tom Joy, who works as a therapy horse.

The appropriately named Lead by Example is now under the care of multiple stakes winning jockey Melanie Pinto.

Closing in on 500 career wins, Pinto bonded with the dark bay son of Midnight Lute the moment they first worked together. When the New York-bred was retired, she quickly adopted him.

“I was galloping him for [Hall of fame trainer] Josie Carroll at Palm Meadows in Florida,” started Pinto. “He was such a character, always so happy and proud of himself. He would squeal and stick out his tongue when he was in his stall and he was always squealing and prancing on his way back from the track like he had just done something special.”

When his racing career came to a close, other doors opened for Lead by Example, who now works as a calming companion to other Thoroughbreds as they make their way to the racetrack at Fort Erie.

It's not his only post-racing calling.

“He's just been such a versatile horse,” said Pinto. “He'll wear English tack and go over jumps, he'll wear Western tack and trail ride, go Team Sorting and he takes care of me on the racetrack when I'm on a rambunctious racehorse. He's always very focused when he's doing a job, but still to this day, when he knows his job is over and he's done well, he prances, squeals and is very proud of himself.”

Each of the featured horses in Race to the Plate has a unique tale to be told, but all 39 are bound by one common thread, offered Pappas, a recent inductee into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

“They all have their own story. And even though the bios are abbreviated, it gives people some insight into their life on the racetrack and afterwards. I think each story shows how important it is to take care of these beautiful animals and to show people how they've gone on to touch so many other people's lives.”

Support for the initiative has come from far and wide, literally.

Former connections – grooms, jockey, trainers, owners and breeders – have sponsored horses and also helped spread the word about event through their social media pages.

The race finishes at noon (ET) on Thursday, Aug. 19, the day that entries are drawn for this year's running of the Queen's Plate. The Race to the Plate equine winner (to be announced on either Aug. 20 or 21), who will be featured on the cover of LongRun's Graduate calendar, also receives a custom cooler and LongRun swag. Prizes will be awarded to the top five finishers.

There are also random draws for both sponsors and entrants. Prizes for entrants include a jar of the supplement TriActa (donated by Integricare Canada), a set of four polo bandages, and matching halter “fuzzies,” with another draw offering a VIP table for six on Oct. 2 at Caledon, donated by Angelstone.

Sponsor-themed draws include a “trifecta” of ice wine, and another draw for two tickets to the 2022 running of the Queen's Plate.

With less than a month before the 162nd running of the Queen's Plate, Pappas is looking forward to seeing how the stretch drive of Race to the Plate plays out.

“It's something we'd definitely want to do in the future,” said Pappas, who is working on securing special prizes for the overall winner and top five finishers. “It's wonderful to see how the horses are doing and the new connections they've created. It's really nice to see the enthusiasm and support from the people that knew the horses from the racetrack and the people who have given them a new life after racing.”

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