The horse that changed my life
You might have noticed that funny, friendly and rappin’ jockey at Ajax Downs this year, especially since he is one of the best horsemen at the track.
Tony Phillips, a 10-year veteran of the Quarter Horse jockey colony and a longtime Thoroughbred jockey, had an “awesome year” at the track in 2015 and he is grateful to all the wonderful horses he rides. Phillips was the second leading rider at Ajax during the 27-day meeting and following most of his wins, he was often on camera entertaining the fans with his rappin’ rhymes.
One horse in particular stands out for Phillips in his years riding Quarter Horses: Illbegineinajazz, a filly he had special bond with in 2008. It was that year that Phillips and the 4-year-old sorrel filly won the first ever graded stakes held in Canada for the breed.
“We just hit it off right off the bat,” said Phillips. “For whatever reason, no one else could get along with her, other riders tried but I was the only one she liked.”
Illbegoneinajazz came to Ontario from Oklahoma for Christine and Joe Tavares. She was a solid Speed Index Race competitor in 2007 at the original Picov Downs and began to blossom a year later just around the time Phillips became her main rider.
“She had a funny personality,” said Phillips. “It’s not like I rode her in any special way.”
In early August, 2008, the pair finished a close second, at 10-1, in the All Canadian Classic to the very tough gelding Rockish. Illbegoneinajazz put up her best speed index number of 109.
On Sept. 21, the last day of racing at Picov Downs before the new Ajax Downs was set to open the following year, Phillips and his special filly won the $129,200 Alex Picov Memorial Championship (G3), the first stakes race to be graded in the country.
Furnishing a late charge from the centre of the J-shaped track, Illbegoneinajazz was up to win the 440-yard dash at 6-1 over Strawflyin Fitness and Rockish. The crowd at Picov was large as there were celebrations for the end of the track's history and the opening of the new plant.
It was one of the biggest moments of Phillips’ racing career on an historical day for Quarter Horse racing in Ontario.
“She was my most memorable horse. She just seemed to be attracted to me and we fit together."
(PHOTO BELOW - ILLBEGONEINAJAZZ and Tony Phillips (far side, red blinkers) won the first graded stakes races in Canada for Quarter Horses, the $129,200 Alex Picov Memorial at the original Picov Downs - www.horse-races.net)
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