Grade I Winner The Tin Man Dies at 17

The Tin Man, a popular multiple grade I-winning gelding who raced through age 9, died April 29 at age 17 in Santa Ynez, Calif.

 

Bred and owned by Ralph and Aury Todd and trained by Richard Mandella, The Tin Man earned $3,663,780, winning 13 of 31 starts. His biggest victories included the 2006 Arlington Million (gr. IT), the 2002 and 2006 editions of the Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship (gr. IT), and the 2007 Shoemaker Mile (gr. IT), the latter at age 9.

 

Victor Espinoza, who piloted American Pharoah to victory in the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), rode The Tin Man in the Arlington Million and recalled what a thrill it was to win that race.

 

"He was one of my favorite horses," Espinoza said of the Kentucky-bred son of Affirmed—Lizzie Rolfe, by Tom Rolfe. "He was so nice and kind. He was an amazing horse. I always rode that horse with so much confidence. I always trusted that when I needed him in a race that I knew he was going to respond."

 

The Tin Man was a favorite at the Mandella barn throughout the years he raced. Mandella frequently gave him time off, and The Tin Man would vacation at Martin and Pam Wygod's River Edge Farm near Buellton, Calif.

 

"I loved the little guy," said Russell Drake, longtime River Edge manager. "He was always a nice horse."

 

In his later years, The Tin Man lived with the Todds' daughter, Stacey Nance, and her husband, Roger, and daughter, Sarah. They have a ranch in Santa Ynez and ride roping and barrel racing horses. The Tin Man loved the activity at the ranch and became part of the Nance family.

 

"He was our family's pride and joy," said Stacey Nance said.

 

The Tin Man had a two-acre pasture that bordered the roping arena and cattle pasture and loved to watch the activity in both areas.

 

"He loved cattle," Nance said. "When my daughter had goats in the arena practicing goat tying, he enjoyed watching her. He loved goats and used to have one before he was turned out in the pasture."

 

Visitors came often to see The Tin Man, usually bringing treats. He shared his pasture with Chick, a retired roping horse, and Nance said that The Tin Man made sure that Chick didn't receive any of the treats that he knew were for him.

 

"He would also put himself between us and Chick," Nance. "He was very possessive about Chick. 

 

"He was just an amazing guest for my family. We are so honored and grateful that we could have him in our lives."