The Tin Man (horse)
Encyclopedia
The Tin Man is an American
thoroughbred
gelding
racehorse
. He was sired by the great Affirmed
, the last horse to win the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
out of the unplaced Lizzie Rolfe by another great horse, Tom Rolfe
, who was an exceptional racehorse but a better broodmare sire.
The Tin Man is the half brother of the great filly
Flawlessly
.
He was retired at the age of 9 due to complications following exploratory surgery on an ankle.
, bred and raced by Ralph and Aury Todd (who live in California
's Santa Ynez Valley
), The Tin Man's sire never ran on grass, but his descendants have proved themselves over and over on the turf. Affirmed's daughter Flawlessly twice earned Eclipse Awards as Champion Grass Female, and was inducted to the Hall of Fame. One of his top sons, Charlie Barley, was a Canadian Turf Champion. Trained by Richard Mandella
, The Tin Man is proving himself worthy to be included in their company...but only as he grows older. It seems his greatest racing days were not his youngest, but his oldest. He just gets better with time.
The Todd's began their adventure with race horses by buying a mare called Dancin' Liz by the legendary Northern Dancer
. Right out of the gate, she became a stakes
winner and a stakes producer. Her foals include the Grade II
winner Oraibi, by Forli. She also dropped a Skywalker foal, the stakes placed gelding
, Santero. Her filly
by the noted Tom Rolfe
is The Tin Man's dam.
The Tin Man was Lizzie Rolfe's ninth live foal. She died in 2000 giving birth to a full sister to The Tin Man. This sister is called She's a Rich Girl.
him. "I thought it might be a good idea to geld him for two reasons. First, it keeps them from developing that heavy chest, heavy neck, and that's 60 or 75 pounds of weight up front that you keep off. The second part was that he might behave himself better and have less chance to injure himself than a colt
would."
At 4:
He won the Grade I
Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Stakes
and the Grade II
American Handicap. He placed in the Grade II
Del Mar Handicap
and came in third in the Grade III
San Francisco Breeders' Cup. All these races were on the turf.
At 5:
He won the Grade II
San Luis Obispo Handicap
and placed in the Grade I
United Nations Handicap
. These were also on the turf.
, where the Todd's board their mares. Ralph and Aury often went to see him. "He's a dandy," says Ralph Todd, "...we'd go to visit, and as soon as he saw us, he'd come right over." Somehow, The Tin Man seemed to come out of his enforced "vacation" a different racehorse than he went in. Mandella said, "When we started him back, he just got better and better."
At 7:
He won at Santa Anita Park
in December 2005 in an allowance race in his first race back.
At 8:
In January 2006, he took the Grade II
T San Marcos Handicap
. A runner up in the Grade I
Dubai Duty Free Stakes in the United Arab Emirates
, he then, ridden by Victor Espinoza
, wired the Grade I
Arlington Million
on turf as well as having again won the Grade II
American Handicap.
, Mandella said he'd happily look at the 2006 running of the Breeders' Cup Turf
. (The Tin Man has twice run fourth in the BC Turf.) Mandella's win in the Arlington was his seventh attempt. "I've been trying to win this race for a long time, and it's nice to finally win it," said Mandella. "The Tin Man has been around for a long time. He's a pretty cool guy."
With his second win in the September 30th, 2006 Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Stakes
, The Tin Man's winnings amounted to $3,126,860. With this win, he'd beaten John Henry's
record as the oldest horse to win the Hirsch (known, in John's day, as the Oak Tree Turf).
Richard Mandella
opted to keep The Tin Man out of the Breeders' Cup Turf
in 2006, saying he would start him in the Citation Handicap
for the first time. But after some disappointing workouts, Mandella gave his horse the rest of the year off.
In 2006, The Tin Man was under consideration for Eclipse
honors.
The Tin Man won the Grade I
Shoemaker Mile
, Hollywood's Memorial Day
feature, defeating the likes of Kip Deville
, running his current winning streak to four. Sweeping wide from a position just off the pace entering the final stretch, The Tin Man rallied and drew clear to secure yet another gutsy victory.
With this win, The Tin Man became the first horse in North America
to win a Grade I stakes race at 9 since John's Call won two such races in 2000.
"It's just phenomenal that he's stayed so good after all these years," said Racing Hall of Fame conditioner Mandella moments after the victory.
On June 30, he finished second in the American Invitational Handicap
, losing by a head to the Brazil
ian colt Out of Control. The Tin Man carried 10 more pounds, and Mandella said a key workout leading into the race had not gone well. "There was a loose horse on the track, and he didn't get much out of a work that he really needed."
The Tin Man was the defending champion when he returned to the Arlington Million
on August 11, 2007. No other horse in the 25 yr old signature race at Arlington Park
had ever won it back to back years and only 1 other horse had won it at age 9. Going off as the betting favorite he took the lead after the last turn, on the softer turf ground, but found himself overtaken by the Canadian gelding
, Jambalaya, and losing by 3/4 of a length in a time of 2:04:76, paying $3.80 and $2.60, elevating his career earnings to $3,613,780.
His final start of 2007 - and final start of his career - took place in the Grade 1 Oak Tree $250k Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship Stakes held at Santa Anita
October 6. This noted turf race is held at a distance 1 mile. He was nipped at the eighth pole by six-year old Artiste Royal, who had been 0 for 9 starts in the US, held on to win by 1-length. The Tin Man had gone off as the 3-5 favorite and his defeat was a shock to the crowd.
His 2007 record alone was 4 starts 1-3-0 with the victory being a Grade 1 and his second place finishes being 2 Grade 1s and 1 Grade 2.
On October 25, 2007 The Tin Man underwent the procedure without issue. However, when coming out of anesthesia
, he spooked and "sustained a fractured knee". Such injuries are rare but do occur in large animals when reviving from anesthesia
, as was the case with Ruffian
. The injury was serious enough for the owners and trainer to retire The Tin Man. They made the announcement October 31, 2007.
On April 14, 2008, he arrived at Martin and Pam Wygod's
River Edge Farm near Buellton, California
where it is expected he will enjoy a long retirement. His movements are a bit constricted due to calcium deposits on his knee, but solutions are being sought for this. "He's had trouble with that knee...it has definitely cramped his lifestyle a little bit, but he gets around fairly well," said Russell Drake, River Edge farm manager. "Right now, I've got him out in a big, grass paddock, and his main thing is to just eat and be happy for a while. He's just one of those upbeat little guys that loves to eat grass, be in the sun, and have a good time."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
gelding
Gelding
A gelding is a castrated horse or other equine such as a donkey or a mule. Castration, and the elimination of hormonally driven behavior associated with a stallion, allows a male horse to be calmer and better-behaved, making the animal quieter, gentler and potentially more suitable as an everyday...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
. He was sired by the great Affirmed
Affirmed
Affirmed was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who was the eleventh and most recent winner of the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing...
, the last horse to win the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing consists of three races for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. Winning all three of these Thoroughbred horse races is considered the greatest accomplishment of a Thoroughbred racehorse...
out of the unplaced Lizzie Rolfe by another great horse, Tom Rolfe
Tom Rolfe
The racehorse Tom Rolfe was one of the best American sons of the great racehorse and sire Ribot. His dam was Pocahontas, from whom he takes his name...
, who was an exceptional racehorse but a better broodmare sire.
The Tin Man is the half brother of the great filly
Filly
A filly is a young female horse too young to be called a mare. There are several specific definitions in use.*In most cases filly is a female horse under the age of four years old....
Flawlessly
Flawlessly (horse)
Flawlessly was an American Thoroughbred race horse bred by Harbor View Farm. A daughter of 1978 Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing champion, Affirmed, and out of La Confidence by Nijinsky II....
.
He was retired at the age of 9 due to complications following exploratory surgery on an ankle.
A Liking for Grass
A dark brown geldingGelding
A gelding is a castrated horse or other equine such as a donkey or a mule. Castration, and the elimination of hormonally driven behavior associated with a stallion, allows a male horse to be calmer and better-behaved, making the animal quieter, gentler and potentially more suitable as an everyday...
, bred and raced by Ralph and Aury Todd (who live in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
's Santa Ynez Valley
Santa Ynez Valley
The Santa Ynez Valley is located in Santa Barbara County, California, between the Santa Ynez Mountains to the south and the San Rafael Mountains to the north. The Santa Ynez River flows through the valley from east to west. The Santa Ynez Valley is separated from the Los Alamos Valley, to the...
), The Tin Man's sire never ran on grass, but his descendants have proved themselves over and over on the turf. Affirmed's daughter Flawlessly twice earned Eclipse Awards as Champion Grass Female, and was inducted to the Hall of Fame. One of his top sons, Charlie Barley, was a Canadian Turf Champion. Trained by Richard Mandella
Richard Mandella
Richard Eugene Mandella is a Thoroughbred horse trainer and a member of the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame....
, The Tin Man is proving himself worthy to be included in their company...but only as he grows older. It seems his greatest racing days were not his youngest, but his oldest. He just gets better with time.
The Todd's began their adventure with race horses by buying a mare called Dancin' Liz by the legendary Northern Dancer
Northern Dancer
Northern Dancer was a Canadian-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and the most successful sire of the 20th Century. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association calls him "one of the most influential sires in Thoroughbred history"....
. Right out of the gate, she became a stakes
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
winner and a stakes producer. Her foals include the Grade II
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
winner Oraibi, by Forli. She also dropped a Skywalker foal, the stakes placed gelding
Gelding
A gelding is a castrated horse or other equine such as a donkey or a mule. Castration, and the elimination of hormonally driven behavior associated with a stallion, allows a male horse to be calmer and better-behaved, making the animal quieter, gentler and potentially more suitable as an everyday...
, Santero. Her filly
Filly
A filly is a young female horse too young to be called a mare. There are several specific definitions in use.*In most cases filly is a female horse under the age of four years old....
by the noted Tom Rolfe
Tom Rolfe
The racehorse Tom Rolfe was one of the best American sons of the great racehorse and sire Ribot. His dam was Pocahontas, from whom he takes his name...
is The Tin Man's dam.
The Tin Man was Lizzie Rolfe's ninth live foal. She died in 2000 giving birth to a full sister to The Tin Man. This sister is called She's a Rich Girl.
A Slow Start
As a two-year-old, The Tin Man bowed both tendons, injuries that required surgical repair. This early injury sidelined him for quite some time. "He had some injuries that would've stopped some horses along the way," said Mandella. "His body must have a great ability to overcome them." Mandella also decided to geldGeld
Geld may refer to:* Money, in Dutch or German languages* Danegeld, or any Anglo-Saxon or Norman land tax often based on hides* Weregeld* Gelt, Yiddish for money* Gelding, castrated animal-See also:* Gold * Gel...
him. "I thought it might be a good idea to geld him for two reasons. First, it keeps them from developing that heavy chest, heavy neck, and that's 60 or 75 pounds of weight up front that you keep off. The second part was that he might behave himself better and have less chance to injure himself than a colt
Colt (horse)
A colt is a young male horse, under the age of four. The term "colt" is often confused with foal, which refers to a horse of either sex under one year of age....
would."
At 4:
He won the Grade I
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Stakes
Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Stakes
The Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the Oak Tree Racing Association's Autumn Meeting at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California....
and the Grade II
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
American Handicap. He placed in the Grade II
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
Del Mar Handicap
Del Mar Handicap
The Del Mar Handicap is an American thoroughbred horse race run each year during the third week of August at the Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California...
and came in third in the Grade III
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
San Francisco Breeders' Cup. All these races were on the turf.
At 5:
He won the Grade II
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
San Luis Obispo Handicap
San Luis Obispo Handicap
The San Luis Obispo Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The race is open to horses age four and up, willing to race one and one-half miles on the turf...
and placed in the Grade I
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
United Nations Handicap
United Nations Handicap
The United Nations Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in July at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey. The race is open to horses, age three and up, going one and three-eighths miles on the turf. A Grade I event, it currently offers a purse of $750,000...
. These were also on the turf.
And a Fast Finish
Due to an ankle injury in the Hirsch, thereby incurring major soft-tissue damage, The Tin Man was away from the races for fifteen months. He spent that time at River Edge Farm near Buellton, CaliforniaBuellton, California
Buellton is a small city in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. The city of Buellton is one of the communities that make up the Santa Ynez Valley...
, where the Todd's board their mares. Ralph and Aury often went to see him. "He's a dandy," says Ralph Todd, "...we'd go to visit, and as soon as he saw us, he'd come right over." Somehow, The Tin Man seemed to come out of his enforced "vacation" a different racehorse than he went in. Mandella said, "When we started him back, he just got better and better."
At 7:
He won at Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a thoroughbred racetrack in Arcadia, California, United States. It offers some of the prominent racing events in the United States during the winter and in spring. With its backdrop of the purple San Gabriel Mountains, it is considered by many as the world's most beautiful race...
in December 2005 in an allowance race in his first race back.
At 8:
In January 2006, he took the Grade II
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
T San Marcos Handicap
San Marcos Handicap
The San Marcos Stakes is an American Grade II Thoroughbred horse race held annually in late January at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Open to horses aged four and older, it is raced on turf over a distance of one and one-quarter miles....
. A runner up in the Grade I
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
Dubai Duty Free Stakes in the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
, he then, ridden by Victor Espinoza
Victor Espinoza
Victor Espinoza is a jockey in American Thoroughbred horse racing. He began riding in his native Mexico and earned his first win there in 1992 before moving the following year to compete at racetracks in California....
, wired the Grade I
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
Arlington Million
Arlington Million
The Arlington Million is a Grade 1 flathorse race in the United States for thoroughbred horses aged three years and upward. It is raced over a distance of 1¼ miles on the turf at Arlington Park, Arlington Heights, Illinois in August each year...
on turf as well as having again won the Grade II
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
American Handicap.
The Tin Man's Heart
After the Arlington MillionArlington Million
The Arlington Million is a Grade 1 flathorse race in the United States for thoroughbred horses aged three years and upward. It is raced over a distance of 1¼ miles on the turf at Arlington Park, Arlington Heights, Illinois in August each year...
, Mandella said he'd happily look at the 2006 running of the Breeders' Cup Turf
Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner...
. (The Tin Man has twice run fourth in the BC Turf.) Mandella's win in the Arlington was his seventh attempt. "I've been trying to win this race for a long time, and it's nice to finally win it," said Mandella. "The Tin Man has been around for a long time. He's a pretty cool guy."
With his second win in the September 30th, 2006 Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Stakes
Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Stakes
The Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the Oak Tree Racing Association's Autumn Meeting at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California....
, The Tin Man's winnings amounted to $3,126,860. With this win, he'd beaten John Henry's
John Henry (horse)
John Henry was an American Thoroughbred race horse who had 39 wins, with $6,591,860 in earnings. He was twice voted the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year in 1981 and 1984, with his 1981 selection is the only one whereby the victor received all votes cast for that award. John Henry was also...
record as the oldest horse to win the Hirsch (known, in John's day, as the Oak Tree Turf).
Richard Mandella
Richard Mandella
Richard Eugene Mandella is a Thoroughbred horse trainer and a member of the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame....
opted to keep The Tin Man out of the Breeders' Cup Turf
Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner...
in 2006, saying he would start him in the Citation Handicap
Citation Handicap
The Citation Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. Raced in late November, it is open to horses age three-years-old and up. Contested on turf over a distance of 1 1/16 miles, the event currently offers a purse of $250,000...
for the first time. But after some disappointing workouts, Mandella gave his horse the rest of the year off.
In 2006, The Tin Man was under consideration for Eclipse
Eclipse Award
The Eclipse Award is an American thoroughbred horse racing award named after the 18th century British racehorse and sire, Eclipse. The Eclipse Awards, honoring the champions of the sport, are sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association , Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers...
honors.
2007 season
In early February 2007, The Tin Man re-entered training.The Tin Man won the Grade I
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
Shoemaker Mile
Shoemaker Breeders' Cup Mile Stakes
The Shoemaker Mile Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually as a Grade I at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. Raced at a distance of one mile on the turf, it is open to any horse age three and up and currently offers a purse of $300,000.Inaugurated in 1938 as the...
, Hollywood's Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
feature, defeating the likes of Kip Deville
Kip Deville
Kip Deville was an American Thoroughbred racehorse whose most important win came at age four in the 2007 Breeders' Cup Mile. Bred in Oklahoma by Dr...
, running his current winning streak to four. Sweeping wide from a position just off the pace entering the final stretch, The Tin Man rallied and drew clear to secure yet another gutsy victory.
With this win, The Tin Man became the first horse in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
to win a Grade I stakes race at 9 since John's Call won two such races in 2000.
"It's just phenomenal that he's stayed so good after all these years," said Racing Hall of Fame conditioner Mandella moments after the victory.
On June 30, he finished second in the American Invitational Handicap
American Invitational Handicap
The American Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually near the end of June at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California...
, losing by a head to the Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian colt Out of Control. The Tin Man carried 10 more pounds, and Mandella said a key workout leading into the race had not gone well. "There was a loose horse on the track, and he didn't get much out of a work that he really needed."
The Tin Man was the defending champion when he returned to the Arlington Million
Arlington Million
The Arlington Million is a Grade 1 flathorse race in the United States for thoroughbred horses aged three years and upward. It is raced over a distance of 1¼ miles on the turf at Arlington Park, Arlington Heights, Illinois in August each year...
on August 11, 2007. No other horse in the 25 yr old signature race at Arlington Park
Arlington Park
Arlington Park is a horse race track in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, Illinois. Horse racing in the Chicago region has been a popular sport since the early days of the city in the 1830s, and at one time Chicago had more horse racing tracks than any other major metropolitan area...
had ever won it back to back years and only 1 other horse had won it at age 9. Going off as the betting favorite he took the lead after the last turn, on the softer turf ground, but found himself overtaken by the Canadian gelding
Gelding
A gelding is a castrated horse or other equine such as a donkey or a mule. Castration, and the elimination of hormonally driven behavior associated with a stallion, allows a male horse to be calmer and better-behaved, making the animal quieter, gentler and potentially more suitable as an everyday...
, Jambalaya, and losing by 3/4 of a length in a time of 2:04:76, paying $3.80 and $2.60, elevating his career earnings to $3,613,780.
His final start of 2007 - and final start of his career - took place in the Grade 1 Oak Tree $250k Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship Stakes held at Santa Anita
Santa Anita
Santa Anita may refer to:*Metro Santa Anita, a station on the Mexico City Metro*Rancho Santa Anita, a 13,319-acre land grant given to Hugo Reid*Santa Anita, Baja California Sur, a village in Baja California del Sur, Mexico...
October 6. This noted turf race is held at a distance 1 mile. He was nipped at the eighth pole by six-year old Artiste Royal, who had been 0 for 9 starts in the US, held on to win by 1-length. The Tin Man had gone off as the 3-5 favorite and his defeat was a shock to the crowd.
His 2007 record alone was 4 starts 1-3-0 with the victory being a Grade 1 and his second place finishes being 2 Grade 1s and 1 Grade 2.
Surgery and Retirement
The Tin Man emerged from his final race on October 6 with body soreness. Despite his age, trainer Richard Mandella hoped that The Tin Man could return in 2008 and race as a 10-year-old. He was taken out of training and his owners sent him in for exploratory tests. Among the test findings there were suggestions of possible damage to an ankle, which prompted the need for an exploratory arthroscopic procedure.On October 25, 2007 The Tin Man underwent the procedure without issue. However, when coming out of anesthesia
Anesthesia
Anesthesia, or anaesthesia , traditionally meant the condition of having sensation blocked or temporarily taken away...
, he spooked and "sustained a fractured knee". Such injuries are rare but do occur in large animals when reviving from anesthesia
Anesthesia
Anesthesia, or anaesthesia , traditionally meant the condition of having sensation blocked or temporarily taken away...
, as was the case with Ruffian
Ruffian
A ruffian is a scoundrel, rascal or unprincipled, deceitful, and unreliable person.As a proper noun, Ruffian may refer to:*Ruffian , a famous thoroughbred filly racehorse*Ruffian , 2007 television movie about the racehorse...
. The injury was serious enough for the owners and trainer to retire The Tin Man. They made the announcement October 31, 2007.
On April 14, 2008, he arrived at Martin and Pam Wygod's
Martin J. Wygod
Martin J. Wygod is an American businessman and a prominent Thoroughbred racehorse owner/breeder. A business administration graduate from New York University, he joined a Wall Street stock brokerage firm before becoming a managing partner in a similar firm.In 1964, Wygod became involved with...
River Edge Farm near Buellton, California
Buellton, California
Buellton is a small city in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. The city of Buellton is one of the communities that make up the Santa Ynez Valley...
where it is expected he will enjoy a long retirement. His movements are a bit constricted due to calcium deposits on his knee, but solutions are being sought for this. "He's had trouble with that knee...it has definitely cramped his lifestyle a little bit, but he gets around fairly well," said Russell Drake, River Edge farm manager. "Right now, I've got him out in a big, grass paddock, and his main thing is to just eat and be happy for a while. He's just one of those upbeat little guys that loves to eat grass, be in the sun, and have a good time."