Patches O’Houlihan (CAN)
May 13, 2020 – July 10, 2025
Reload (USA) x Maythefourthbwithu (CAN), by Silent Name (JPN)
Family 1-b
May 13, 2020 – July 10, 2025
Reload (USA) x Maythefourthbwithu (CAN), by Silent Name (JPN)
Family 1-b
A horse who was bidding fair to step into the place in Canadian racegoers’ affections left open by the retirement of seven-time Canadian champion Pink Lloyd, Patches O’Houlihan was fast, consistent, and game. Sadly, he was also ill-fated. Following his victory in the 2025 Highlander Stakes (CAN-G2) on June 28, 2025, he pulled up lame with a soft tissue injury. It was initially hoped that he could recover to enjoy life in retirement, but his condition deteriorated and veterinary consultation indicated that surgery was not an option. The 2024 Canadian Horse of the Year was euthanized on July 10, 2025, leaving only memories behind.
Race record
16 starts, 13 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds, US$818,225
2023:
2024:
2025:
Honors
As an individual
A bay gelding with powerful hindquarters, Patches O’Houlihan was a front runner but was game and determined if hooked. He appeared to enjoy training and racing. He was successful on both synthetic surfaces and turf. His owner described him as “a beautiful animal inside and out.”
Connections
Foaled in Ontario, Patches O’Houlihan was bred and owned by Frank D. DiGiulio Jr. and was trained by Robert P. Tiller.
Pedigree notes
Sired by multiple Grade 3 winner Reload (by Hard Spun), Patches O’Houlihan is inbred 3x5 to three-time American champion sire Danzig. He is out of the winner Maythefourthbwithu, whose dam, Cat’s Calling (by multiple Grade 2 winner Caller I. D., by Phone Trick) is a winning half sister to Grade 3-placed listed stakes winner Artica (by Frosty the Snowman) and to multiple restricted stakes winner My Gallant Scarlet (by My Gallant). Cat’s Calling is also a half sister to Miss Bridlewood (by My Gallant), dam of 1997 Panamanian champion juvenile male Mambo King (by No Sale George) and to Panamanian listed stakes winner Galanteo (by No Sale George).
Cat’s Calling and her siblings were produced from unraced Jazzie Jagua (by Tom Cat), whose dam Bibijagua (by Tarik) was imported from Argentina. Bibijagua, in turn, is out of Bimbi, by 1935 English Triple Crown winner Bahram out of the Alan Breck mare Brenda.
Books and media
FanDuel’s footage of Patches O’Houlihan’s courageous final victory in the 2025 Highlander Stakes can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJX2dPvX8C8.
Fun facts
Last updated: July 16, 2025
Race record
16 starts, 13 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds, US$818,225
2023:
- Won Vigil Stakes (CAN-G3, 6FA, Woodbine)
- Won Bold Venture Stakes (CAN-G3, 6.5FA, Woodbine)
- Won Lake Superior Stakes (CAN-R, 6FA, Woodbine)
- Won Lake Huron Stakes (CAN-N, 5FT, Woodbine)
2024:
- Won Nearctic Stakes Presented by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (CAN-G2, 6FT, Woodbine)
- Won Branded Cities Vigil Stakes (CAN-G3, 6FA, Woodbine)
- Won Bold Venture Stakes (CAN-G3, 6.5FA, Woodbine)
- Won Pink Lloyd Stakes (CAN-R, 6FA, Woodbine)
- 2nd Kennedy Road Stakes (CAN-G2,6FA, Woodbine)
2025:
- Won Highlander Stakes (CAN-G2, 6FA, Woodbine)
- Won Thorncliffe Stakes (CAN, 5.5FA, Woodbine)
Honors
- Sovereign Award, Canadian Horse of the Year (2024)
- Sovereign Award, Canadian champion male sprinter (2023, 2024)
As an individual
A bay gelding with powerful hindquarters, Patches O’Houlihan was a front runner but was game and determined if hooked. He appeared to enjoy training and racing. He was successful on both synthetic surfaces and turf. His owner described him as “a beautiful animal inside and out.”
Connections
Foaled in Ontario, Patches O’Houlihan was bred and owned by Frank D. DiGiulio Jr. and was trained by Robert P. Tiller.
Pedigree notes
Sired by multiple Grade 3 winner Reload (by Hard Spun), Patches O’Houlihan is inbred 3x5 to three-time American champion sire Danzig. He is out of the winner Maythefourthbwithu, whose dam, Cat’s Calling (by multiple Grade 2 winner Caller I. D., by Phone Trick) is a winning half sister to Grade 3-placed listed stakes winner Artica (by Frosty the Snowman) and to multiple restricted stakes winner My Gallant Scarlet (by My Gallant). Cat’s Calling is also a half sister to Miss Bridlewood (by My Gallant), dam of 1997 Panamanian champion juvenile male Mambo King (by No Sale George) and to Panamanian listed stakes winner Galanteo (by No Sale George).
Cat’s Calling and her siblings were produced from unraced Jazzie Jagua (by Tom Cat), whose dam Bibijagua (by Tarik) was imported from Argentina. Bibijagua, in turn, is out of Bimbi, by 1935 English Triple Crown winner Bahram out of the Alan Breck mare Brenda.
Books and media
FanDuel’s footage of Patches O’Houlihan’s courageous final victory in the 2025 Highlander Stakes can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJX2dPvX8C8.
Fun facts
- Patches O’Houlihan is a character from the sports comedy movie Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. (2004, 20th Century Fox). In the movie, Patches is a retired dodgeball star who becomes the coach of the underdog Average Joe’s dodgeball team and uses unorthodox tactics to train them for a Las Vegas dodgeball tournament and a chance to save their beloved local gym from demolition.
- Patches O’Houlihan made all 16 of his starts at Woodbine.
Last updated: July 16, 2025