Jolly good fellow: Woodbine to honor Melmich in retirement ceremony

Horse racing fans will have an opportunity to see the recently retired multiple stakes winner Melmich back at Woodbine Racetrack on Saturday for his retirement celebrations.

A retirement ceremony will take place in the walking ring prior to the fifth race on Ricoh Woodbine Mile Day before Melmich makes his final on-track appearance by leading the post parade for that race.

Campaigned by trainer Kevin Attard for owners Stephen Chesney and Cory Hoffman for the majority for his career, the eight-year-old Wilko gelding achieved top three finishes in 38 of his 46 starts while earning $1,388,331 in purses. Among his 17 career wins, Melmich racked up eight stakes and a track record in rein to jockey Eurico Rosa Da Silva.

Melmich has been retired to LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society, which is the official charity partner of Ricoh Woodbine Mile Day. Woodbine will be hosting a 50/50 raffle draw in support of the organization, which evaluates and cares for retired racehorses, and works to place them in permanent, loving homes.

Raffle tickets will be available to purchase on site throughout the race card and the winning ticket will be drawn at 5 p.m. Tickets will be available at a price of $5 for two, $10 for 10, or $20 for 50.

A limited number of commemorative photos of Melmich signed by Da Silva will be available to fans who have purchased raffle tickets at LongRun’s booth on the second floor of the grandstand on Saturday.