The Tin Man (USA)
February 18, 1998 – April 29, 2015
Affirmed (USA) x Lizzie Rolfe (USA), by Tom Rolfe (USA)
American Family 34
February 18, 1998 – April 29, 2015
Affirmed (USA) x Lizzie Rolfe (USA), by Tom Rolfe (USA)
American Family 34
Although he had his share of physical issues, The Tin Man was a thoroughly game, honest competitor when healthy and had a fair share of his sire Affirmed's talent as well. One of the better members of the West Coast turf division at 4 and 5, he came back from an ankle injury that pretty much wiped out his 6- and 7-year-old seasons to win three Grade 1 races at ages 8 and 9. A fan favorite during his racing career, the gelding remained popular through his death at age 17.
Race record
31 starts, 13 wins, 8 seconds, 2 thirds, US$3,663,780
2002:
2003:
2006:
2007:
Honors
Eclipse Award finalist, American champion turf male (2006)
As an individual
A little on the small side, The Tin Man was injury-prone throughout his career and required careful management after bowing in both front tendons as an unraced juvenile. He preferred to control his races from the front end and was best on firm going. He was blessed with intelligence and a kindly disposition and loved human attention. In retirement, he enjoyed watching the ranch's activities from his 2-acre paddock, which was near both the roping arena and a cattle pasture. The Tin Man was officially registered as a dark bay or brown, but photographs made while he was racing show him to have been a bay. His best physical points were an excellent shoulder and a handsome, refined head. He was gelded partly to avoid picking up the extra forehand weight that entire males acquire and partly in hopes that he would stay calmer and be less likely to reinjure his fragile tendons, which had already required surgery.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, The Tin Man was bred and owned by Ralph and Aury Todd. He was trained by Richard Mandella and was a great favorite with the Hall of Fame trainer. He was retired at age 9 after suffering a knee fracture while coming out of anesthesia from exploratory surgery on October 25, 2007. He was initially pensioned at River Edge Farm, Buellton, California, and later moved to a ranch belonging to the Todds' daughter Stacey Nance. He died at the Nance ranch on April 29, 2015.
Pedigree notes
The Tin Man is inbred 4x5 to Native Dancer and 5x5 to Sir Gallahad III. He is a half brother to multiple listed stakes winner Mama Simba (by Mamaison) and to Alice May (by Pleasant Colony), dam of multiple stakes winner Ducky Drake (by Benchmark). His dam Lizzie Rolfe is a half sister to Grade 2 winner Oraibi (by Forli) and is out of multiple stakes winner Dancing Liz (by Northern Dancer), a half sister to listed stakes winner Crimson Slew (by Seattle Slew).
Dancing Liz is out of Crimson Queen (by Crimson Satan), whose produce also includes stakes producers Crimson Flame (by Stage Door Johnny) and Hula Zipper (by Hawaii). A half sister to 1956 American champion 2-year-old male Barbizon (by Polynesian) and to the good stayer Hillsborough (by Ponder), Crimson Queen is out of Good Blood (by Bull Lea).
Fun facts
Photo credit
Photo taken by Jessica Morgan while The Tin Man was on his way to the post in the 2006 Breeders' Cup Turf (USA-G1). Used by permission.
Last updated: September 21, 2020
Race record
31 starts, 13 wins, 8 seconds, 2 thirds, US$3,663,780
2002:
- Won Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Handicap (USA-G1, 10FT, Santa Anita)
- Won American Handicap (USA-G2, 9FT, Hollywood)
- 2nd Del Mar Handicap (USA-G2, Del Mar)
- 3rd San Francisco Breeders' Cup Mile Handicap (USA-G2, 8FT, Bay Meadows)
2003:
- Won San Luis Obispo Handicap (USA-G2, 12FT, Santa Anita)
- 2nd United Nations Handicap (USA-G1, 9.5FT, Atlantic City)
- 2nd San Marcos Stakes (USA-G2, 10FT, Santa Anita)
2006:
- Won Arlington Million Stakes (USA-G1, 10FT, Arlington Park)
- Won Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Handicap (USA-G1, 10FT, Santa Anita)
- Won American Invitational Handicap (USA-G2, 9FT, Hollywood)
- Won San Marcos Stakes (USA-G2, 10FT, Santa Anita)
- 2nd Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1, 2400mT, Nad al Sheba)
2007:
- Won Shoemaker Mile Breeders' Cup Stakes (USA-G1, 8FT, Hollywood)
- 2nd Arlington Million Stakes (USA-G1, 10FT, Arlington Park)
- 2nd Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship Handicap (USA-G1, 10FT, Santa Anita)
- 2nd American Invitational Handicap (USA-G2, 9FT, Hollywood)
Honors
Eclipse Award finalist, American champion turf male (2006)
As an individual
A little on the small side, The Tin Man was injury-prone throughout his career and required careful management after bowing in both front tendons as an unraced juvenile. He preferred to control his races from the front end and was best on firm going. He was blessed with intelligence and a kindly disposition and loved human attention. In retirement, he enjoyed watching the ranch's activities from his 2-acre paddock, which was near both the roping arena and a cattle pasture. The Tin Man was officially registered as a dark bay or brown, but photographs made while he was racing show him to have been a bay. His best physical points were an excellent shoulder and a handsome, refined head. He was gelded partly to avoid picking up the extra forehand weight that entire males acquire and partly in hopes that he would stay calmer and be less likely to reinjure his fragile tendons, which had already required surgery.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, The Tin Man was bred and owned by Ralph and Aury Todd. He was trained by Richard Mandella and was a great favorite with the Hall of Fame trainer. He was retired at age 9 after suffering a knee fracture while coming out of anesthesia from exploratory surgery on October 25, 2007. He was initially pensioned at River Edge Farm, Buellton, California, and later moved to a ranch belonging to the Todds' daughter Stacey Nance. He died at the Nance ranch on April 29, 2015.
Pedigree notes
The Tin Man is inbred 4x5 to Native Dancer and 5x5 to Sir Gallahad III. He is a half brother to multiple listed stakes winner Mama Simba (by Mamaison) and to Alice May (by Pleasant Colony), dam of multiple stakes winner Ducky Drake (by Benchmark). His dam Lizzie Rolfe is a half sister to Grade 2 winner Oraibi (by Forli) and is out of multiple stakes winner Dancing Liz (by Northern Dancer), a half sister to listed stakes winner Crimson Slew (by Seattle Slew).
Dancing Liz is out of Crimson Queen (by Crimson Satan), whose produce also includes stakes producers Crimson Flame (by Stage Door Johnny) and Hula Zipper (by Hawaii). A half sister to 1956 American champion 2-year-old male Barbizon (by Polynesian) and to the good stayer Hillsborough (by Ponder), Crimson Queen is out of Good Blood (by Bull Lea).
Fun facts
- The Tin Man was named for the famous character from The Wizard of Oz.
- The Tin Man's win in the 2006 Arlington Million (USA-G1) as an 8-year-old made him the second-oldest horse to win the race; the oldest was John Henry, who took the race as a 9-year-old in 1984. He also won the 2006 Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Handicap (USA-G1), making him the oldest horse to win that race, and as a 9-year-old became the oldest horse to win the Shoemaker Mile (USA-G1).
- The Tin Man's pasture buddy during his retirement was a retired roping horse named Chick.
- In his paddock, The Tin Man enjoyed playing with Jolly Ball horse toys.
Photo credit
Photo taken by Jessica Morgan while The Tin Man was on his way to the post in the 2006 Breeders' Cup Turf (USA-G1). Used by permission.
Last updated: September 21, 2020