Lapochka: The People’s Horse

TORONTO, November 22, 2024— An honest living isn’t always an easy living but when you show up to work every day with a smile on your face, people are destined to take notice.

So goes the story for Eight Star Racing Stable’s Lapochka, the well-travelled war horse who has left an indelible mark on all those he crossed paths with over his unpretentious racing career.

On Sunday, Nov. 17, the 11-year-old chestnut gelding officially hung up the horseshoes after eight years and 84 starts on the North American Thoroughbred circuit.

Although it wasn’t the proverbial Hollywood ending to his career, in many ways it still was.

In typical fashion, Lapochka put in an impressive rally, chasing the frontrunner for a hard-earned second.

The son of English Channel-Russian Sweetpie bows out with a record of 20-14-13 and $552,452 (U.S.) in purse earnings.

The fan favourite will be given a fitting sendoff at Woodbine on Sunday, Nov. 24 immediately following the second race.

Accompanied by trainer Vito Armata, Lapochka will head to the Johnnie Walker winner’s circle where he will be presented with a cooler and have photos taken.

This weekend’s tribute will be bittersweet for Armata, who’s worked with Lapochka since the fall of 2020 after claiming him for Eight Star for $19,000.

Over the years, the pair developed a connection that extends far beyond the typical coach-athlete dynamic.

Instead, a more fitting characterization of their relationship would be that of ‘good friends.’

“He’s the kind of horse that makes you get up and go in the morning,” said Armata. “If you’re having a bad day or a bad morning, you go see him and he makes it a good morning.”

Armata, who famously campaigned 82-1 T J’s Lucky Moon to Queen’s Plate glory in 2002, will always look fondly on his time with the photogenic, carrot-loving horse, the one with a “beautiful personality.”

“What else can I say? Like I told my wife, when he leaves, I’m going to cry,” said Armata. “I love this horse. He’s been with me the last four or five years. And like I said, whenever I’m having a bad morning, I go see him and he makes it a good morning.”

As for what the veteran conditioner will miss most about his beloved barn fixture, the answer is simply, “Everything.”

It is a sentiment shared by those who make up Eight Star.

Comprised of partners Joe Mazarese, Lorenzo Scala, Mike Dattori and Marco Fronte, Eight Star was formed in 2018 with its name deriving from the fact that each member has two children.

The quartet, much like Armata, will also cherish the time spent with their ebullient equine competitor.

“We had initially claimed Lapochka early on in his career [2018)], lost him two races later to a claim, and were lucky to have gotten him back in our stable two years later and have had him since,” said Fronte on behalf of his racing partners.

“He is the heartbeat of our stable, and a horse every owner would dream of having. He is a true professional. It has been a ton of fun watching a horse race for so many years at the top level, and always competing.

“He is loved and cared for by Vito and all the grooms and horse people that worked tirelessly to maintain his top level of performance. Lapochka has brought the stable many great memories, and we will miss watching him compete at the track.”

Fronte and company are well aware of, and eternally grateful for, the fans who have expressed an unwavering support for their enduring runner.  

“We are so proud to share the experience with fans who have enjoyed watching him just as much as we have over the years. In the last year, it felt as though every time we made the walk over to the track, he had an army of fans wishing him the best,” said Fronte.

“I am sure everyone was rooting for him to notch his 20th career win a couple months back, and it was awesome to see him achieve it. It is special to have a horse in your barn that is known around the track.”

Lapochka clinched that 20th career triumph in textbook fashion with another eye-catching rally in a claiming dash on Aug. 31 at Woodbine.

The man on the microphone for the milestone triumph, Woodbine race caller Robert Geller, has long marvelled at the horse’s indomitable spirit.

“Not only is Lapochka the sort of racehorse every owner dreams of, he has been a fan favourite, year in, year out. No matter what surface, distance or class level, he has always brought his A-game.

“His strength, power and will to win are palpable, especially in a close finish. Having called so many of his triumphs, I learned early on to always keep an eye out for him in a call as you can never count him out.”

Since taking over full-time race calling duties at the Toronto oval in 2015, Geller has been in the booth for 73 of Lapochka’s 84 lifetime starts.

In other words, the voice of Woodbine racing is a dedicated member of the battle-tested Thoroughbred’s vast fan club.

“His race record is a testament to those who have looked after him and kept him competitive for so many years,” said Geller.

“Lapochka is what horse racing is all about and a reminder that age is no barrier to success.”

While he still has plenty left in the tank according to Armata, the team at Eight Star carefully crafted plans for Lapochka to embark on his next chapter at LongRun.

Established in 1999, LongRun, recognized as one of the most respected horse retirement and adoption organizations in North America, and the first industry-funded adoption program in Canada, has a 100-acre property that is home to over 50 retired Thoroughbreds.

“As his career winded down, and we were told Woodbine would put an age limit on horses competing at the track, it was crucial to find the perfect home for Lapochka,” said Fronte.

“At Eight Star, our priority has always been the health and welfare of our horses. After a meeting with the partners of Eight Star Racing Stables, we collectively decided that it was best to retire the horse and send him to a trustworthy home.”

They found an ideal one.

“After a couple phone calls, there was no question that LongRun was the perfect landing spot for him after racing. We wanted to ensure he lives out the next chapter of his life in a place where he would be cared for and looked after the same way we did for the last four years.”

The scenic property is located in Hillsburgh, less than an hour’s drive northwest of Woodbine.

Lapochka, who captured the hearts of the Woodbine faithful despite appearing in just two stakes events across his seven-dozen starts, has found a loving home with farm manager Lauren Millet and the devoted LongRun staff.

“LongRun is thrilled to be chosen to retire and find a forever home for such a fan favourite horse. Hopefully, he can shed light on what we can do here – not only rehabilitation, but finding forever homes for sound horses also,” said Millet.

Just the type of assignment tailor-made for Lapochka. 

Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine