Respected Canadian Horseman Buttigieg Dies

Woodbine is joining the racing community in mourning the passing of longtime trainer, breeder, and owner Paul Buttigieg, a respected and accomplished figure in Canadian horse racing.

A fixture in the Woodbine racing community for decades, Buttigieg was known for his unwavering dedication to the sport, his deep knowledge of horses, and his hands-on approach to training. Over the course of his distinguished career, he amassed 672 wins and more than $19 million in earnings as a trainer.

In addition to his work at the racetrack, Buttigieg operated his own training center in Egbert, Ontario—about an hour's drive north of Toronto—where he developed his racehorses and provided many of Woodbine's top trainers with an exceptional facility to winter their horses and prepare them for the next season.

Buttigieg Training Centre has stabled horses for top trainers such as Robert Tiller, Kevin Attard, and Michael De Paulo.

Buttigieg was known to get up at 3 a.m., drive to Woodbine, and stay for training through about 10 a.m. Then he would head back to attend to activity at the farm by 11 a.m. His longtime assistant, Ricky Hayashi, saddled many of his afternoon starters at Woodbine.

Speaking with Trainer Magazine in 2013, Buttigieg said: "I enjoy both worlds, training them and working on the farm. I love the game." 

Among Buttigieg's greatest achievements was champion Phil's Dream , whom he bred, owned, and trained. Phil's Dream captured the 2013 Nearctic Stakes (G1T) and was honored as that season's champion male sprinter at the Sovereign Awards.

Buttigieg also notably campaigned multiple graded stakes winner Artie's Storm , a Sovereign Award finalist in 2022; Strait From Texas, who won the 2003 Nassau Stakes (G2T); and Gypsy Ring , a multiple stakes winner that was grade 1-placed.

"Paul Buttigieg was the embodiment of dedication in Canadian racing," said Jim Lawson, executive chair of Woodbine Entertainment. "Paul was a true horseman in every sense of the word as a breeder, owner and trainer. He did it all with passion for the Thoroughbred and was part of the fabric of our Woodbine racing community. His loss is deeply felt and he will be dearly missed."

Woodbine wishes to extend its condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Paul Buttigieg.