There was a point in time when Tylonn Green wasn’t quite sure the horse life was for him. He had been around Thoroughbreds since his early childhood days, starting in his native Barbados, the picturesque eastern Caribbean island that has a long and storied association with horses and horse racing. Not long after Green arrived in Canada, he made his way to the Woodbine backstretch. Uncertain whether he wanted to leave his family and work in a new country, seeing the horses up close and having a conversation with someone he trusted convinced him to give it a shot. “My stepdad introduced me to Woodbine through his friend (late horseman and fellow countryman Ricky Griffith),” recalled Green. “I was unsure about being so far away from my family, but my stepdad told me I should at least give it a try.” It would not take long, perhaps a day, before trepidation was replaced by a revelation. “I have to say it was a dream come true. I started galloping for (father and son trainers) Tino Attard and then Kevin Attard. I got to work for Kevin, and I have so much respect for him. After that, I started working for Don MacRae.” In 2022, Green came to the barn of multiple graded stakes winning trainer Mike De Paulo. “Mike has given me the opportunity of a lifetime. Working for Mike and (assistant trainer) Josie has been wonderful too. They work very hard.” De Paulo shares the same praise when speaking of Green. “He comes in every morning and works hard from the moment he arrives,” noted Mike. “You can always depend on him.” And not just for the tasks outlined in his job. Tylonn Green Often, Green can be found going the extra furlong, willingly, to help the operation run smoothly. “I like to do a lot of things that aren’t in my job description. If Mike or Josie need something done, I will be there. I am happy to do whatever needs to be taken care of.” It is also how Green views each moment he spends with the five horses under his watchful eye. Ensuring they are happy, fit, and doted on is a top priority. The unabashed love Green has for his horses hasn’t gone unnoticed. “He absolutely loves them,” said Mike. “He truly does. You can see that every day. The way the horses react to Tylonn, you know they understand how much he cares for them.” Green developed a special connection with El Cohete, a 4-year-old son of Society’s Chairman, who has a 2-4-1 mark from 10 starts. The dark bay gelding, who debuted in May 2023 and broke his maiden one race later, caught the groom’s attention the moment he first set foot in the shedrow. “He’s gone for the year, but he is such a wonderful horse, my all-time favourite. I worked with him from the start. When he began working from the gate, he was a handful. But I worked with him, encouraged him, and did whatever I could to help get him to the races. And he made it. “But I love all my horses.” Green has always felt an attachment to Thoroughbreds, a bond that began at an early age. He didn’t have to travel far to strengthen that connection. “By the time I was 9, I was around the horses. The racetrack was a stone’s throw from my house in Barbados.” Green would gallop and groom horses for some of the most distinguished and successful horse people in the country, including nine-time Barbados champion trainer Victor Cheeseman, Barbados Gold Cup-winning trainer Nazih Issa and the late Richard Stoute, brother of UK champion trainer Sir Michael Stoute. “This is what I was born to do – grooming horses, riding horses, taking care of them. For me, it’s always been horses, horses, horses.” Whenever he watches a De Paulo horse run, Green is a study in stoicism. Seeing them compete is his greatest joy. “I am so proud of them, and they always put a smile on my face, win or lose. What is most important to me is seeing them the next morning and giving them a pat.” So too is putting in an honest day’s work. “I’ll be at work about twenty past one in the morning. I start with folding the laundry and then change my clothes and start working with the horses. They know the moment I get there. It is like they are saying, ‘He’s here!’ They know breakfast is coming and then I go through my list of what I need to do. “I like to have everything prepared and ready for when everyone gets here, and things can go smoothly.” When he isn’t at the racetrack, Green appreciates the serenity of home life and spending time with his two kids. Horses, however, rarely stray from his thoughts. “I don’t party or stay up late. I have my work, and I want to be at my best for the horses. I go to bed usually around nine and I am up 15 minutes before my alarm goes off. It takes me about 10 minutes to drive to work and then I get to start my day. I am always happy to be there.” Green is just as grateful that he took his stepfather’s advice all those years ago. It was a life-changing decision for the humble, hard-working horseman. “Things have worked out so well. Maybe I just needed a push or a little reassurance.” Soon, Green will head home to Barbados to relax for a few months before heading back to Woodbine in February. At some point over the winter, he will start the countdown to when he will be reunited with his horses. “They make me happy. You know, I am so glad that I didn’t turn my back on the chance to be around the horses at Woodbine. I can honestly say I am doing what I love.” Chris Lomon, Woodbine Share This:Share
