Jockey Robert Landry announces retirement

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Award winning Canadian jockey Robert Landry has announced his retirement from riding. The Toronto native will move to the ownership side of the sport.

"The time is right for me to embark on this new association with horse racing," said Landry. "I have to admit it was a hard decision because I love the sport and I love riding. But to have this opportunity to work for the people I won a Queen's Plate with is truly special."

Landry, who began riding in 1981, will become the Racing Manager for Chiefswood Stable. In 2004 Landry guided Chiefswood Stable's Nigon to victory in the Queen's Plate, Canada's most prestigious thoroughbred race.

"Obviously, there are so many great memories that I have," said Landry. "I owe a lot to Woodbine for how they treated me and I owe a lot to the many people, including the fans, who supported me throughout my career."

Landry was a two-time winner of the Sovereign Award, 1993-1994, as Canada's champion jockey. In 2003 he was given the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award which is presented to a Canadian jockey who has made significant contributions to the sport.

During his 29-year career, Landry registered 2,045 wins from 17,656 mounts with earnings of $69,786,382. He posted 167 stakes victories.

"Rob is a true horseman," said trainer Sue Leslie. "He gets into a horse's head and earns their trust and respect. His passion for horses is worn on his sleeve. A lot of what I have learned about horses has come from Rob."

Along with the Queen's Plate, Landry won the 1998 Breeders' Stakes aboard Pinafore Park and the Prince of Wales Stakes with Archers Bay that same year. Those three races comprise Canada's Triple Crown. Archers Bay was Canada's 1998 champion male three-year-old.

He also rode five consecutive Sovereign Award-winning two-year-old fillies: Larkwhistle (1996), Primaly (1997), Fantasy Lake (1998), Hello Seattle (1999) and Poetically (2000).

Landry won the Woodbine Oaks three times with Capdiva (1997), Catch the Ring (2000) and Too Late Now (2003).