Sid C. Attard, born on September 29, 1950, in Birkirkara, Malta, has carved an illustrious career as a thoroughbred horse racing trainer in Canada. After immigrating to Canada in the 1960s with his family, Attard followed in the footsteps of his brothers Joseph and Tino, who became successful racehorse trainers. His other brother, Larry, distinguished himself as a top jockey in Canada and was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
Attard's journey in horse racing began in earnest in 1977 when he acquired his trainer's license. Based at Toronto's Woodbine Racetrack, he quickly established himself as a leading trainer. Over the years, he has topped the trainer standings at Woodbine four times and has consistently been among the top trainers in Ontario. By December 6, 2008, he had reached his 1,600th career win, and on November 14, 2010, he secured his 1,700th victory with Stunning Stag in the Autumn Stakes.
Sid Attard's dedication to the sport is reflected in his work ethic and success. He has amassed over 1,700 career wins, with more than 60 of them being stakes races. His horses have earned more than $61 million in purses, and he has been a dominant figure at Woodbine Racetrack, leading the trainer standings multiple times and consistently finishing in the top ten for over a decade.
One of the highlights of Attard's career was the perfect season engineered for Numerous Times in 2001. This horse won the prestigious Grade 1 Atto Mile and earned the Sovereign Award as Canada’s Outstanding Turf Male. The same year, another of Attard's horses, Ginger Gold, captured three significant stakes races and was honoured as the country’s Outstanding Two-Year-Old Filly. In 2002, Attard claimed a filly named One For Rose, who went on to earn over a million dollars and three consecutive Sovereign Awards as Outstanding Older Female.
Attard's achievements have not gone unnoticed. He was a finalist for Canada’s Outstanding Trainer award for three consecutive years from 2004 to 2006. His consistent performance includes five consecutive 50+ win seasons from 1994 to 1998 and another six from 2003 to 2008. His dedication sees him working seven days a week, ten months a year, with an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Sid Attard’s journey to success was not without challenges. Born into a family of modest means, he initially worked in construction in Malta before immigrating to Canada in 1967. His oldest brother Joe, who had already moved to Canada, encouraged Sid to join him. After working in a mattress factory to catch up on English, Sid followed his brothers into horse racing. Starting with quarter horses, he soon transitioned to thoroughbreds.
Attard's first major breakthrough came when Bob Harvey, a respected owner, gave him horses to train. Despite being a new trainer, Attard quickly demonstrated his skill, winning 10 of his first 57 races with an 18% win rate. His reputation grew, and he became known for his integrity and hard work, often being the first to arrive at the stables each morning.
Over his career, Attard trained numerous stakes winners, including Smokey Fire, Organ Grinder, Jungle Wave, Just Rushing, and Great Gladiator. His achievements in major races include wins in the Ontario Matron, Maple Leaf, Vigil, Algoma, and Highlander Stakes. Attard's first stakes win was with Lady Sheppard in the 1980 Mazarine Stakes.
Despite his success, one elusive goal remained: winning the Queen’s Plate, Canada’s most prestigious race. Attard's best finish came with Grand Hooley, who placed second in the 1992 Queen’s Plate. Over the years, he has had a few more attempts, including with Jigg’s Coz, the race favourite in 2007, who finished third. In recent years, Attard has high hopes for Silent Sting, a promising contender backed by Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs Farm.
Sid Attard’s contributions to horse racing have earned him a place in the Brampton Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. At 67, he shows no signs of slowing down. Each day begins early as he commutes from his home in Brampton to Woodbine, where he oversees a stable of 42 horses. His dedication to the sport and relentless pursuit of excellence continue to drive him towards new milestones, including the upcoming goal of reaching 2,000 career wins.
As Attard reflects on his journey from Malta to becoming one of Canada’s most respected trainers, his legacy is evident in the numerous accolades and the lasting impact he has made on the sport. His commitment to his craft, unwavering integrity, and the support of his family have been the cornerstones of his remarkable career. Sid Attard’s story is one of perseverance, hard work, and an enduring passion for horse racing that has defined his life’s work.