TORONTO — Pink Lloyd is showing why he's Canada's reigning horse of the year.
The six-year-old sprint champion will chase an 11th straight stakes win Sunday in the $125,000 Achievement Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack. A victory will also push Pink Lloyd's career earnings over the $1-million mark.
The son of Old Forester-Gladiator Queen heads into the six-furlong main track event off an impressive 6 1/4-length win in the $100,000 New Providence Stakes on May 13.
“The LeBron James of Canadian horse racing, does that fit? That’s what I’m saying," Hall of Fame trainer Rober Tiller said following that win.
Pink Lloyd began the season with a track-record performance in the Jacques Cartier Stakes on the opening day of Woodbine's '18 meet.
John Carey, who bred Pink Lloyd, said watching the chestnut gelding’s unprecedented run is both deeply rewarding and nerve-wracking.
“When he first started out doing his good stuff, I remember saying, ‘If he wins today, it’s going to be great for him,’” said Carey, who operates T. C. Westmeath Stud Farm. “Now, we kind of expect it but it brings out the nerves.
"All I can say is that I came to this country 41 years ago and I never thought I’d breed a nice sprinter like this guy. I thought I had the capabilities of being a good manager, but I never thought I could breed a top-of-the-line sprinter like him.”
Pink Lloyd began his career in 2016 with three straight victories. He now has 13 lifetime wins from 15 starts, along with $980,080 in earnings for Entourage Stable.
“There’s no question he was a very nicely made horse and he had beautiful conformation,” Carey said. “The biggest thing with him was that he had the potential to be a good racehorse.
"I saw it and so did the trainer (Tiller), who made sure he got over all his baby issues before he raced him.”
Regular rider Eurico Rosa da Silva doesn’t mince words when comparing Pink Lloyd to his other mounts.
“Definitely I can say this is the best horse I ever rode,” said da Silva after the New Providence. “A very special horse.”
Carey would love to see Pink Lloyd make that familiar trip to the winner’s circle on Sunday.
“I’m just proud of everything when it comes to Pink Lloyd," he said. "Most of all, it’s all Ontario-sired power behind this horse.
"I have the mother here, the father here and the grandfather is buried on this farm. I have the whole foundation here.”
Pink Lloyd will break from the No. 5 post in the five-horse field in the eighth race on Sunday's 11-race card.
Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield said Pink Lloyd's accomplishments thus far are special.
"It's very special to have a horse like that in your charge because they don't come along that often," he said. "They're special horses and it's something that people should want to go out and see because you're not going to see it every day.
"He's just a special horse. It's exciting to see a horse like Pink Lloyd doing what he's doing."
Jim Lawson, the president and CEO of Woodbine Entertainment, agrees.
"What Pink Lloyd has accomplished by winning 10 stakes races in a row is nothing short of spectacular," he said. "He's earned his reputation as a fan favourite and to see the grandstand react with such emotion after each victory brings goosebumps.
"Robert Tiller and his team have done a tremendous job with Pink Lloyd, a Canadian-bred hero racing for Canadian owners."
The Canadian Press
