William Robinson (1946-2020) was a Canadian harness racing trainer, who won multiple Trainer of the Year awards.[1]
Information
editRobinson did not come from a horse racing background. He got involved with racing after a group of friends from a local factory pitched in to claim a $1,500 horse.[2] He later quit working at the factory to pursue horse training full-time.[2][1] He ranked as one of the top conditioners in the Ontario Jockey Club in the 1980s and his success continued into the 1990s.[1]
He faced scrutiny in 1991 for not wanting to bring his horses to the track until race day, with some suggesting it was due to unethical practices.[3] One of his horses was suspended before 1992 for a positive Robaxin test.[4] Accusations and suspicions arose about his success in 1993 and 1994[2] after the top five money winners were horses he had trained.[2] He was investigated in 1993 and his partnership with the banned Carl Conte further fueled the suspicions.[5] In 1993, his stable was the first in history to earn over $10 million in a single season.[6]
In 2002, he earned more than $11 million in earnings and in 2003, his stable earned over $10.8 million. He was banned in November 2003 after an unusual drug test result on his horse, Flight Plan.[7] He returned in 2013 but returned in 2015 when he was caught for two positive drug tests.[7] He claimed innocence in both situations.[7]
Robinson died on December 11, 2020, at the age of 74.[8]
Legacy
editAs a trainer, he earned over $54.8 million.[1] He won 2,738 races in 8,998 starts.[1] He trained over 15 horses who had won over a million dollars each and trained three horses who had collected more than $2 million in a single year.[1] He was also one of five trainers who earned more than $10 million at the Meadowlands Racetrack.[9]
He trained multiple Hall of Fame horses including, Mach Three and Precious Bunny.[1] He also trained O'Brien Award winners Riyadh, Presidential Ball, Art Major, Cams Card Shark, Dragon Again, and Nickie Bag.[1] He later trained Western Dreamer, who was only one of ten triple crown winners.[1]
Robinson was a four-time O'Brien Trainer of the Year Award winner in 1993,[10] 1994, 2002, and 2003[1] and won the USHWA Trainer of the Year Award in 1993.[1] Robinson's Precious Bunny and Cams Card Shark also won O'Brien Awards for Horse of the Year.[1]
Technique
editRobinson trained horses at his farm in a more relaxed atmosphere. He gave them light exercise regimens' and focused on proper shoeing. He became known for turning failed horses into champions.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l William 'Bill' Robinson Passes, web: Standard Bred Canada, 2020, retrieved 13 March 2023
- ^ a b c d e Beyer, Andrew (1994), "ROBINSON HARNESSES POWER IN UNORTHODOX STYLE", Washington Post, web, retrieved 13 March 2023
- ^ O'Leary, Ed (1991), OJC demand aimed at Robinson?, web: The Expositor, retrieved 13 March 2023
- ^ O'Leary, Ed (1992), Horse trainer loves stock cars, web: The Expositor, retrieved 13 March 2023
- ^ Keidan, Bruce (1994), Pacer presents Adios dilemma, web: Pittsburgh Post Gazette, retrieved 13 March 2023
- ^ Robinson File, web: South Florida Sun Sentinel, 1994, retrieved 13 March 2023
- ^ a b c Lefko, Perry (2015), Robinson Faces Uncertain Future After Hit With Another Positive Drug Test Less Than Three Months After Ending Two-Year Retirement, web: Harness Racing Update, retrieved 13 March 2023
- ^ William 'Bill' Robinson, 74, dies, web: United States Trotting Association, 2020, retrieved 13 March 2023
- ^ Meadowlands Pace sports Red Bow Tie, web: Ashbury Park Press, 1997, retrieved 13 March 2023
- ^ Rowdies reign as oldest pro soccer franchise is over, web: The Naples Daily News, 1991, retrieved 13 March 2023