Roger L. Attfield

Biography

Following a stint as a steeplechase rider and an accomplished career as an international show jumper, Roger Attfield established himself as one of the top thoroughbred trainers in North America. Born in Newbury, England, Attfield immigrated to Canada in 1970 and took his first training job with Gateway Farms. Attfield has won the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Canadian Trainer eight times, trained three Canadian Triple Crown winners, six Canadian Horse of the Year winners, and won 22 races in the Canadian Triple Crown series.

In 1976, Attfield developed the colt Norcliffe into the first of his eight Queen’s Plate winners and his first Canadian Horse of the Year. Norcliffe won 10 stakes under Attfield’s care and helped launch the trainer to stardom. Attfield conditioned his first Canadian Triple Crown winner, With Approval, in 1989. Attfield then swept the Queen’s Plate, Prince of Wales Stakes, and Breeders’ Stakes again the following year with Izvestia, and achieved his third Canadian Triple Crown in 1993 with Peteski.

Along with his eight wins in the Queen’s Plate, Attfield has won the Breeders’ Stakes nine times, and the Prince of Wales five times. He has also found considerable success in the United States. Attfield won his first Breeders’ Cup race in 2011, when Perfect Shirl took the Filly and Mare Turf at Churchill Downs. Other notable wins in the United States include the Shadwell Turf Mile, Flower Bowl, Elkhorn, Lake George, Glens Falls, Ohio Derby, Makers Mark Mile, Wood Memorial, Gotham, Arlington Matron, Molly Pitcher, Carter Handicap, Derby Trial, Yellow Ribbon Invitational, Stymie Handicap, Hialeah Turf Cup, and Pan American Handicap, among others.

Attfield won his 2,000th career race in July 2022. Through 2023, he has won 2,023 races. 

Achievements

Won the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Trainer (Canada) — 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1993, 2002, 2009, 2010

Canadian Triple Crown Highlights

Won the 1976 Queen's Plate — Norcliffe
Won the 1987 Queen's Plate — Market Control)
Won the 1989 Queen's Plate — With Approval
Won the 1990 Queen's Plate — Izvestia
Won the 1992 Queen's Plate — Alydeed
Won the 1993 Queen's Plate — Peteski
Won the 1995 Queen's Plate — Regal Discovery
Won the 2008 Queen's Plate — Not Bourbon
Won the 1976 Prince of Wales Stakes — Norcliffe
Won the 1989 Prince of Wales Stakes — With Approval
Won the 1990 Prince of Wales Stakes — Izvestia
Won the 1993 Prince of Wales Stakes — Peteski
Won the 2005 Prince of Wales Stakes — Ablo
Won the 1986 Breeders' Stakes — Carotene
Won the 1989 Breeders' Stakes — With Appproval
Won the 1990 Breeders' Stakes — Izvestia
Won the 1993 Breeders' Stakes — Peteski
Won the 1998 Breeders' Stakes — Pinafore Park
Won the 1999 Breeders' Stakes — Free Vacaction
Won the 2001 Breeders' Stakes — Sweetest Thing
Won the 2009 Breeders' Stakes — Perfect Shower
Won the 2015 Breeders' Stakes — Danish Dynaformer

Breeders’ Cup Highlights

Won the 2011 Filly and Mare Turf — Perfect Shirl

Trainer Profile | Roger L. Attfield | Equibase is Your Official Source for Thoroughbred Racing Information