# Victory Tilly

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{{Short description|Swedish Standardbred racehorse (1995–2024)}}

{{Infobox named horse
|horsename= Victory Tilly
|image=Victory Tilly 2001 001.jpg
|caption=Victory Tilly in 2001
|breed= [Standardbred](/source/Standardbred)
|sire= [Quick Pay](/source/Quick_Pay)
|grandsire= [Star's Pride](/source/Star's_Pride)
|dam= [Icora Tilly](/source/Icora_Tilly)
|damsire= [Fakir du Vivier](/source/Fakir_du_Vivier)
|sex= [Gelding](/source/Gelding)
|foaled= 5 March 1995
|country= [Sweden](/source/Sweden)
|colour=[Bay](/source/Bay_(horse))
|breeder= [Stall Tilly Mg AB](/source/Stall_Tilly_Mg_AB)
|owner= [Stall Tilly](/source/Stall_Tilly), [Stall Kalas](/source/Stall_Kalas) 
|trainer= [Glen Norman](/source/Glen_Norman), [Stig H. Johansson](/source/Stig_H._Johansson)
|racerecord= 101: 70-12-4
|raceearnings= US$5,168,902
|racewins=[Swedish Trotting Derby](/source/Swedish_Trotting_Derby) (1999)<br/>[Breeders Crown](/source/Breeders_Crown_(Sweden)) (1999)<br/>[Oslo Grand Prix](/source/Oslo_Grand_Prix) (2000)<br/>[Elitloppet](/source/Elitloppet) (2000)<br/>[Hugo Åbergs Memorial](/source/Hugo_%C3%85bergs_Memorial) (2000)<br/>[Jubileumspokalen](/source/Jubileumspokalen) (2000, 2001)<br/>[Sundsvall Open Trot](/source/Sundsvall_Open_Trot) (2000, 2001, 2002)<br/>[Åby Stora Pris](/source/%C3%85by_Stora_Pris) (2000, 2002)<br/>[Copenhagen Cup](/source/Copenhagen_Cup_(harness_racing)) (2001)<br/>[Gran Premio Gaetano Turilli](/source/Gran_Premio_Gaetano_Turilli) (2001)<br/>[Gran Premio delle Nazioni](/source/Gran_Premio_delle_Nazioni) (2001, 2002)<br/>[Nat Ray Trot](/source/Nat_Ray_Trot) (2002)<br/>[Gran Premio della Lotteria](/source/Gran_Premio_della_Lotteria) (2003)<br/>[Forus Open](/source/Forus_Open) (2006)
|awards= Horse of the Year (Sweden) (2000, 2002)
|honours=
|updated=2009-02-02|death_date=7 April 2024}}

'''Victory Tilly''' (5 March 1995 – 7 April 2024) was a Swedish racing [trotter](/source/Standardbred_horse) by Quick Pay out of Icora Tilly by Fakir du Vivier.<ref name="STC Harstamning">{{cite web|url=http://www.travsport.se/shestinfo?kommando=visaHerstamning&hestId=175940|title=Travsport.se - Victory Tilly - Härstamning|work=Travsport.se|publisher=STC|language=sv|access-date=2009-02-02}}</ref>

His most prestigious victories include the [Swedish Trotting Derby](/source/Swedish_Trotting_Derby) (Swedish: ''Svenskt Travderby''), [Elitloppet](/source/Elitloppet), [Nat Ray Trot](/source/Nat_Ray_Trot) and [Gran Premio della Lotteria](/source/Gran_Premio_della_Lotteria).<ref name="WorldClassTrotting">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldclasstrotting.com/RaceStatistikAll/HORSES/VictoryTilly.htm|title=Victory Tilly|work=WorldClassTrotting.com|language=sv|access-date=2009-02-02}}</ref> At the end of his career, the [gelding](/source/gelding) had earned US$5,168,902 (€4,085,814).<ref name="WorldOfTrotters">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldoftrotters.com/eng-bibl-victorytilly.htm|title=Victory Tilly (S)|work=Worldoftrotters.com|access-date=2009-01-28|archive-date=2008-09-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905172513/http://www.worldoftrotters.com/eng-bibl-victorytilly.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>Victory Tilly won 37,705,278 Swedish ''Kronor'' (SEK). In the conversion to USD and Euro, the rates of 2006-06-10, the date of Victory Tilly's last race, have been used.</ref> He was awarded the [Swedish Horse of the Year Award](/source/Horse_of_the_Year_(Sweden)) in 2000 and 2002.<ref name="Arets hast">{{cite web|url=http://www.atgse.se/aretshast/|title=Årets häst 2008 - Tidigare vinnare|work=ATG.se|publisher=ATG|language=sv|access-date=2009-02-02|archive-date=2010-08-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100812063426/http://www.atgse.se/aretshast/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Early years==
Victory Tilly was born on 5 March 1995, in [Almunge](/source/Almunge), [Uppsala municipality](/source/Uppsala_municipality), [Sweden](/source/Sweden). He spent his years as a colt at his breeder's, Stall Tilly. Glen Norman was in charge of the training of the stable's race horses and was Victory Tilly's trainer in the horse's early years.<ref name="Victory Tilly - historik">{{cite web|url=http://www.victorytilly.com/historik.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010802063049/http://www.victorytilly.com/historik.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=August 2, 2001|title=Sagan om Victory Tilly|work=victorytilly.com|language=sv|access-date=2009-02-04}}</ref> During this period, as a two-year-old, Victory Tilly was castrated because of testicle problems.<ref name="Ovisst om VT">{{cite web|url=http://www.travkompaniet.se/nyheter/article.php?artid=1956|title=Ovisst om Victory Tilly|last=Pettersson|first=Lars-Ove|date=2003-05-27|work=Travkompaniet.se|publisher=Kanal 75|language=sv|access-date=2009-02-04}}</ref> As a gelding, he was ineligible to enter major French events like [Prix d'Amérique](/source/Prix_d'Am%C3%A9rique), that are open only for stallions and mares.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harness.org.au/99wldcon/PDEBELL3.HTM |title=Personality Profile - Dominique de Bellaigue |last=Howe |first=Harold |work=TROT Magazine |publisher=Standardbred Canada |access-date=2009-02-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802223819/http://www.harness.org.au/99wldcon/PDEBELL3.HTM |archive-date=August 2, 2008 }}</ref>

==Racing career==

===1998 - 3 years old===
On June 17, 1998, Victory Tilly made his racing debut at [Solvalla](/source/Solvalla), [Stockholm](/source/Stockholm). As the favourite of a race for trotters 3 or 4 years old, he won by 4 and ½ length.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travsport.se/sresultat?kommando=tevlingsdagVisa&tevdagId=303215&loppId=313088|title=Tävlingsdagsresultat - Solvalla onsdag 17 juni 1998|work=Travsport.se|publisher=STC|language=sv|access-date=2009-02-04}}</ref> In his debut, as well as in all but one of his other races during his 3-year-old season, he was driven by Torbjörn Jansson.<ref name="STC Tävlingsresultat">{{cite web|url=http://www.travsport.se/shestinfo?kommando=hestResultat&hestId=175940|title=Travsport.se - Victory Tilly - Tävlingsresultat|work=Travsport.se|publisher=STC|language=sv|access-date=2009-02-04}}</ref> On October 4, Victory Tilly took part in the biggest event for Swedish 3-year-olds, the [Swedish Trotting Criterium](/source/Swedish_Trotting_Criterium) (''Svenskt Travkriterium''), at Solvalla. The gelding broke stride and finished 6th behind, among others, future star [Gidde Palema](/source/Gidde_Palema).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travsport.se/sresultat?kommando=tevlingsdagVisa&tevdagId=303596&loppId=323600|title=Tävlingsdagsresultat - Solvalla söndag 4 oktober 1998|work=Travsport.se|publisher=STC|language=sv|access-date=2009-02-04}}</ref> During November and December, the horse won three fairly big races, his total earnings to US$173,278. Out of 13 races, Victory Tilly won 8.<ref name="Qhurth">{{cite web|url=http://www.qhurth.com/trav/horsers/victory.htm|title=Victory Tilly|work=qhurth.com|language=sv|access-date=2009-02-04}}</ref><ref>Victory Tilly won 1,264,000 Swedish ''Kronor'' (SEK) during this year. In the conversion to USD, the rates of 2006-06-10, the date of his last race, have been used.</ref>

===1999 - 4 years old===
Victory Tilly continued to win in early 1999. In connection to the third win of the year, at Solvalla on February 24, a routine doping test was made. After the analyze of the sample, it was revealed that it showed traces of the prohibited substances [caffeine](/source/caffeine) and [theophylline](/source/theophylline). Victory Tilly's owner and breeder Hans-Gunnar Tillander of Stall Tilly got hugely disappointed by this affair and, as a consequence, opted to sell all his racing horses.<ref name="svd">{{cite web|url=http://www.svd.se/sportspel/nyheter/artikel_369102.svd|title=Omöjligt skydda sig inom travsporten|last=Arnesen|first=Jonas|date=2006-11-10|work=svd.se|publisher=Svenska Dagbladet|language=sv|access-date=2009-02-04}}</ref> Before the sale, in the last race for trainer Norman, Victory Tilly and Torbjörn Jansson, as heavy favourites, failed to win the major 4-year-old race [Konung Gustaf V:s Pokal](/source/Konung_Gustaf_V%3As_Pokal) after being disturbed into galloping.<ref name="Victory Tilly - historik" /><ref name="STC Tävlingsresultat" />

The new owners, Stall Kalas (English: approximately "Party Stables"), who paid SEK3,500,000 (ca US$420,000 at the time) for the gelding, engaged [Stig H. Johansson](/source/Stig_H._Johansson) as new trainer of the horse.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.victorytilly.com/stallkalas.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010609121707/http://www.victorytilly.com/stallkalas.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 9, 2001|title=Kalasgänget med Kanonhästen|work=victorytilly.com|language=sv|access-date=2009-02-12}}</ref> Victory Tilly made his debut for Johansson on the Elitloppet Day. Together with Torbjörn Jansson, who was hired as a stand-in driver since Johansson was suspended, Victory Tilly won on the new Swedish record 1:11.8 (km rate, European style of keeping time).<ref name="Jansson om första tiden">{{cite web|url=http://www.travnet.se/TravnetCore/?coreUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.travnet.se%2Fwww%2Fpublic%2Fwebb%2Fdefault.asp%3FinfoID_equals_24615_and_infoTyp_equals_nyhet|title=Victory Tilly slutar: Jansson om första tiden|last=Persson|first=Lennart|date=2006-10-25|work=travnet.se|language=sv|access-date=2009-02-04|archive-date=2011-10-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006125928/http://www.travnet.se/TravnetCore/?coreUrl=http:%2F%2Fwww.travnet.se%2Fwww%2Fpublic%2Fwebb%2Fdefault.asp%3FinfoID_equals_24615_and_infoTyp_equals_nyhet|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Victory Tilly, along with trainer Johansson in the sulky, won the rest of the races he participated in that year.<ref name="STC Tävlingsresultat" /> The biggest win of the year was in the [Swedish Trotting Derby](/source/Swedish_Trotting_Derby), ''Svenskt Travderby'', the richest and most prestigious event for 4-year-olds in Sweden. From gate one, Victory Tilly and Johansson went to the front, where they remained the entire race. Of the SEK1,300,000 gained through the win, Stall Kalas donated 500,000 to the Swedish Cancer Society (''Cancerfonden'').<ref name="Jägersro">{{cite web|url=http://www.jagersro.m.se/trav/vinnare_storlopp/derbywin/1999.html|title=Storloppsvinnare - Svenskt travderby 1999|work=jagersro.m.se|publisher=Jägersro Trav & Galopp|language=sv|access-date=2009-02-08}}</ref> Later in the autumn, Victory Tilly won another major race, the Swedish Breeders Crown for 4-year-old stallions and geldings.<ref name="Qhurth" />

16 races at age four meant 14 victories, and Victory Tilly earned US$520,108 during the year.<ref name="Qhurth" /><ref>He won 3,794,000 Swedish ''Kronor'' (SEK) during this year. In the conversion to USD, the rates of 2006-06-10, the date of his last race, have been used.</ref>

===2000 - 5 years old===
In the first year competing against the domestic and foreign aged elite, Victory Tilly claimed many of Sweden's major events. Before that, he won Norway's biggest race, Oslo Grand Prix, on May 14.

====Success in Elitloppet====
thumbnail|Stig H. Johannson and Victory Tilly wins the 2000 ''Elitloppet''.
Two weeks later, in [Elitloppet](/source/Elitloppet) at their home track Solvalla, Johansson and Victory Tilly faced foreign stars like Italian [Varenne](/source/Varenne) and French [Général du Pommeau](/source/G%C3%A9n%C3%A9ral_du_Pommeau), the reigning [Prix d'Amérique](/source/Prix_d'Am%C3%A9rique) champion.<ref name="abmaj2000">{{cite web|url=http://wwwc.aftonbladet.se/sport/0005/26/loppet.html|title=Italiens sagohäst - en miljonindustri|last=Kingdahl|first=Thomas|date=2000-05-26|work=aftonbladet.se|language=sv|access-date=2009-02-09}}</ref> Victory Tilly and Johansson won their elimination despite starting from post seven. In the subsequent final, just as in the elimination, Victory Tilly went to the front out of the gate. Général du Pommeau was placed outside in first over. Meanwhile, favourite Varenne galloped shortly. The two horses in the front kept the pace up all through the race, and none of the other contenders posed a threat. Victory Tilly defeated his French opponent, and driver/trainer Johansson threw his whip into the air out of joy as the finish line was crossed and many of the 32,000 attending celebrated.<ref name="Guiden 2000">{{cite web|url=http://www.guiden.se/elitloppet/article199172.ece|title=Elitloppet 2000|work=guiden.se|publisher=V75 guiden|access-date=2009-02-09|archive-date=2009-05-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090529005017/http://www.guiden.se/elitloppet/article199172.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref> Victory Tilly's 1:53.2 (1:10.5&nbsp;km rate) mark was a new all-age world record for geldings trotting on a five-eighths of a mile track.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harnesslink.com/www/Article.cgi?ID=3274|title=This week in history|last=Corban|first=Anthony|work=harnesslink.com|date=2003-05-27|access-date=2009-02-13}}</ref> After the race, Johansson said that this possibly was the best race ever by a Swedish trotter and that Victory Tilly was the best trotter he had ever trained or driven.<ref name="Victory Tilly - historik" /><ref name="Guiden 2000" />

Other than finishing as runner-up in Årjäng in July, the gelding kept winning. During the following months, he won major Swedish races like [Hugo Åbergs Memorial](/source/Hugo_%C3%85bergs_Memorial) at [Jägersro](/source/J%C3%A4gersro), [Jubileumspokalen](/source/Jubileumspokalen) at [Solvalla](/source/Solvalla), [Sundsvall Open Trot](/source/Sundsvall_Open_Trot) at [Bergsåker](/source/Bergs%C3%A5ker), and [Åby Stora Pris](/source/%C3%85by_Stora_Pris) at [Åby](/source/%C3%85by_Racetrack). In total, Victory Tilly won US$1,366,182 and 12 of 14 entered races in 2000.<ref name="Qhurth"/><ref>He won 9,965,805 Swedish ''Kronor'' (SEK) during this year. In the conversion to USD, the rates of 2006-06-10, the date of his last race, have been used.</ref> He was awarded the Swedish Horse of the Year Award for his efforts.<ref name="Arets hast" />

===2001 - 6 years old===
In May, Victory Tilly and Johansson failed to repeat the previous year's successes in both Oslo Grand Prix and Elitloppet. In Oslo, they finished fourth after a race in the pocket position.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.victorytilly.com/news/010513.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20010719045426/http://www.victorytilly.com/news/010513.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 19, 2001|title=Victory Tilly fyra i Oslo Grand Prix|date=2001-05-13|work=victorytilly.com|language=sv|access-date=2009-02-10}}</ref> In Elitloppet, they ended up third, even though they reached their much-preferred front position early. Italian Varenne ran as parker but had no problem cruising to victory down the stretch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guiden.se/elitloppet/article199127.ece|title=Elitloppet 2001|work=guiden.se|publisher=V75 Guiden|language=sv|access-date=2009-02-10|archive-date=2009-05-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090529012155/http://www.guiden.se/elitloppet/article199127.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The summer of 2001 brought victories in Copenhagen Cup, Jubileumspokalen, and Sundsvall Open Trot. In October, Victory Tilly competed outside [Scandinavia](/source/Scandinavia) for the first time, when he won [Gran Premio Gaetano Turilli](/source/Gran_Premio_Gaetano_Turilli) at [Tor di Valle](/source/Tor_di_Valle_Racecourse), [Rome](/source/Rome). The gelding returned to Italy a few weeks later to win [Gran Premio delle Nazioni](/source/Gran_Premio_delle_Nazioni) at San Siro, [Milan](/source/Milan).<ref name="Qhurth"/> At this occasion, Victory Tilly was accompanied by old acquaintance Torbjörn Jansson, since Stig H. Johansson was unavailable due to vacation.<ref name="Jansson om första tiden" />

Nine wins out of 16 during the year brought US$887,929.<ref name="Qhurth"/><ref>Victory Tilly won 6,477,125 Swedish ''Kronor'' (SEK) during this year. In the conversion to USD, the rates of 2006-06-10, the date of his last race, have been used.</ref>

===2002 - 7 years old===
To compete in his first major event of 2002, Victory Tilly again travelled to Italy. The major international race at Agnano, [Gran Premio della Lotteria](/source/Gran_Premio_della_Lotteria), ended with the gelding in third, behind Varenne and Legendary Lover K.<ref name="Lotteria results">{{cite web|url=http://www.qhurth.com/trav/lopp/lotteria.htm|title=Gran Premio della Lotteria|work=qhurth.com|language=sv|access-date=2009-02-10}}</ref> After finishing fourth in Elitloppet, three victories in native Sweden followed before Victory Tilly travelled to the USA.<ref name="Qhurth"/>

====Racing in the US====

=====Breeders Crown=====
Even though they were not certain the gelding would make it in time to race in the [Breeders Crown](/source/Breeders_Crown) at [Meadowlands](/source/Meadowlands_Racetrack), Victory Tilly's connections paid the US$80,000 required to enter the event. If eliminations had been required a week before the final to decrease the number of contestants, the money would have been of no use. Fortunately for the owners, few enough trotters entered the race, and Victory Tilly could compete in the final.<ref name="Klaus Koch">{{cite web|url=http://www.theharnessedge.com/european-column-archives/ec-p1-oct22.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717002800/http://www.theharnessedge.com/european-column-archives/ec-p1-oct22.shtml|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 17, 2011|title=The European View|last=Koch|first=Klaus|work=theharnessedge.com|publisher=The Harness Edge|access-date=2009-02-10}}</ref>

From the eighth post position, Stig H. Johansson guided Victory Tilly to the front.<ref name="Victory Tilly tops special Big M card">{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/2002/07/26/2002-07-26_victory_tilly_tops_special_b.html|title=Victory Tilly tops special Big M card|last=Little|first=Dave|date=2002-07-26|work=nydailynews.com|publisher=Daily News|access-date=2009-02-10}}</ref><ref name="Fools Goal denies Victory Tilly">{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/2002/07/28/2002-07-28_fools_goal_denies_victory_ti.html|title=Fools Goal denies Victory Tilly|last=Little|first=Dave|date=2002-07-28|work=nydailynews.com|publisher=Daily News|access-date=2009-02-10}}</ref> [Fool's Goal](/source/Fool's_Goal) passed the Swedish guest and during the latter part of the race, Victory Tilly was positioned in first over. Fool's Goal won the US$1 million event and Victory Tilly came in fourth, beaten by Plesac and Danish Delight as well.<ref name="Fools Goal denies Victory Tilly" />

=====Nat Ray - world record=====
[[File:Victory Tilly & Stig H. Johansson 'Nat Ray Trot' 2002-08-03 001.jpg|thumbnail|Stig H. Johansson and Victory Tilly wins the 2002 Nat Ray Trot at the [Meadowlands Racetrack](/source/Meadowlands_Racetrack).]]
A week later, on August 3, Victory Tilly avenged the loss. In the $500,000 Nat Ray, he defeated, among others, Fool's Goal and Plesac.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slam.ca/StatsRAH/BC-RAH-LGNS-02HARRES-R.html|title=Harness Racing Note|work=slam.ca|access-date=2009-02-10}}</ref> The mark 1:50.4 (1:08.9&nbsp;km rate) was a new world record, beating Varenne's race record and Pine Chip's time-trial record with seven and six tenths of a second, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/2002/08/04/2002-08-04_odds_are_against_it.html|title=Odds are against it|last=Little|first=Dave|date=2002-08-04|work=nydailynews.com|publisher=Daily News|access-date=2009-02-10}}</ref>

The record was a valid mark for all trotters until Tom Ridge, guided by driver Ron Pierce, broke it in September 2004 by winning the World Trotting Derby in 1:50.2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=5212|title=Tom Ridge smashes records in World Trotting Derby|date=2004-09-04|work=ustrotting.com|publisher=United States Trotting Association|access-date=2009-02-10}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> Victory Tilly's mark is still a valid world record for all-age geldings.<ref name="World Records">{{cite web|url=http://www.ustrotting.com/misc/world_records/recordperformers.cfm|title=World Record Performers|date=2009-01-29|work=ustrotting.com|publisher=United States Trotting Association|access-date=2009-02-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224115510/http://www.ustrotting.com/misc/world_records/recordperformers.cfm|archive-date=2009-02-24|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Back in Sweden, Victory Tilly claimed Sundsvall Open Trot at Bergsåker for a third consecutive time. He won Åby Stora Pris and Frances Bulwark's Race at Solvalla before going to Italy to defend his title in Gran Premio delle Nazioni at San Siro, Milan.<ref name="Qhurth"/> From the front, Victory Tilly and Johansson made it back-to-back victories in the event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harnesslink.com/www/Article.cgi?ID=1313|title=Victory Tilly in 1.57.1|last=Corban|first=Anthony|date=2002-11-04|work=harnesslink.com|access-date=2009-02-11}}</ref>

During 2002, the trotter entered 16 races, winning 12 of them. Moneywise, it was, by a narrow margin, the best year of his career. Victory Tilly earned US$1,382,625 that year.<ref name="Qhurth"/><ref>He won 10,085,751 Swedish ''Kronor'' (SEK) during this year. In the conversion to USD, the rates of 2006-06-10, the date of his last race, have been used.</ref> For the second time, he was awarded the Swedish Horse of Year Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harnesslink.com/www/Article.cgi?ID=1927|title=Victory Tilly named Horse of the Year|last=Corban|first=Anthony|date=2003-01-22|work=harnesslink.com|access-date=2009-02-11}}</ref>

===2003 - 8 years old===
Similar to the previous year, Johansson let Victory Tilly enter a few smaller races in the spring before making a trip to Agnano, Naples, and make a second attempt to claim the prestigious Gran Premio della Lotteria.<ref name="Qhurth"/> After a successful fight for the front position with Legendary Lover K., the Swedish gelding could not be caught, and the winner's purse, consisting of US$230,000, was Victory Tilly's.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harnesslink.com/www/Article.cgi?ID=2910|title=Victory Tilly wins feature in Italy|last=Corban|first=Anthony|date=2003-05-06|work=harnesslink.com|access-date=2009-02-11}}</ref>

====Elitloppet and the injury====
Three weeks later, Victory Tilly and his connections were in place at Solvalla Racetrack, Stockholm, to make a fourth effort to win Elitloppet. A win in the elimination meant a good post position in the final. Nevertheless, Swedish From Above claimed the title while Victory Tilly finished second, one length behind.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theharnessedge.com/news.asp?Mode=View&Story=205|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717003226/http://www.theharnessedge.com/news.asp?Mode=View&Story=205|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 17, 2011|title=From Above wins Elitlopp|date=2003-05-25|work=theharnessedge.com|access-date=2009-02-11}}</ref>

Shortly after the race, reports came that Victory Tilly had been injured. The horse was taken to a veterinary clinic, and  severe damage to his right hind suspensory was diagnosed. Trainer/driver Johansson stated that the healing process would take at least six months and that there even a risk that Victory Tilly would never return to the track.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theharnessedge.com/news.asp?Mode=View&Story=207|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717003351/http://www.theharnessedge.com/news.asp?Mode=View&Story=207|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 17, 2011|title=Tilly Update|date=2003-05-25|work=theharnessedge.com|access-date=2009-02-11}}</ref>

There was a plan to  again travel over the Atlantic to face North America's top trotters in July and August,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harnesslink.com/www/Article.cgi?ID=2315|title=Victory Till returning to North America|last=Corban|first=Anthony|date=2003-03-05|work=harnesslink.com|access-date=2009-02-11}}</ref> but the trip was cancelled. Part of Victory Tilly's medical treatment was to keep him in good shape without stressing his injured leg. This was done by swimming in a lake.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harnesslink.com/www/Article.cgi?ID=4340|title=Victory Tilly in deep water|last=Bonsdorf|first=Carsten|date=2003-07-18|work=harnesslink.com|access-date=2009-02-11}}</ref>
<ref name="Comeback">{{cite web|url=http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=1983|title=Fastest trotter ever set to qualify|last=Hoffman|first=Dean A.|date=2004-04-06|work=ustrotting.com|publisher=United States Trotting Association|access-date=2009-02-11}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>

In the abruptly ended racing year of 2003, Victory Tilly won US$448,852 and four races in six attempts.<ref name="Qhurth"/><ref>He won 3,274,217 Swedish ''Kronor'' (SEK) during this year. In the conversion to USD, the rates of 2006-06-10, the date of his last race, have been used.</ref>

===2004 - 9 years old===
On April 7, Victory Tilly returned to the tracks for a qualifying race.<ref name="Comeback" /> At Åby Racetrack, on April 29, he made his competitive comeback, 11 months after getting injured in Elitloppet. He returned to his winning ways immediately, and Johansson was happy with his performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=2442|title=Victory Tilly is all the way back|last=Bonsdorf|first=Karsten|date=2004-04-30|work=ustrotting.com|publisher=United States Trotting Association|access-date=2009-02-11}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> After losing as big favourites at Dannero a couple of weeks later, they ruled out Elitloppet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=2819|title=Legendary Lover K. to pass the Elitlopp|last=Bonsdorf|first=Karsten|date=2004-05-18|work=ustrotting.com|publisher=United States Trotting Association|access-date=2009-02-11}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> Victory Tilly claimed Jämtlands Stora Pris and a couple of smaller events but failed to earn a single ''krona'' in the bigger races Sundsvall Open Trot and Åby Stora Pris in August and September.<ref name="Qhurth"/> The leg problems recurred, which made Johansson end the campaign.<ref name="Victory Tilly on the sidelines once again">{{cite web|url=http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=9675|title=Victory Tilly on the sidelines once again|last=Bonsdorf|first=Karsten|date=2005-06-09|work=ustrotting.com|publisher=United States Trotting Association|access-date=2009-02-12}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>

The eight races of the year meant four wins and US$131,603 in prize money.<ref name="Qhurth"/><ref>Victory Tilly won 960,000 Swedish ''Kronor'' (SEK) during this year. In the conversion to USD, the rates of 2006-06-10, the date of his last race, have been used.</ref>

===2005 - 10 years old===
Now ten years old, Victory Tilly began the 2005 racing at Mantorp on May 16.<ref name="Qhurth"/> Although a heavy favourite, he finished second. Johansson was, nonetheless, pleased, and spoke about possibly entering the Breeders Crown later that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=9266|title=Victory Tilly back in harness|last=Bonsdorf|first=Karsten|date=2005-05-17|work=ustrotting.com|publisher=United States Trotting Association|access-date=2009-02-12}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> This was not to be, however, since Victory Tilly picked up another injury to his leg.<ref name="Victory Tilly on the sidelines once again" /> This time, it kept him off the tracks for four months.

When he returned after the latest setback, the gelding did it at Eskilstuna by claiming the easiest victory of his career, according to trainer/driver Johansson. Johansson admitted that Victory Tilly probably never would return to his past heights because of the injuries and age.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=11648|title=Victory Tilly back in action|last=Bonsdorf|first=Karsten|date=2005-09-14|work=ustrotting.com|publisher=United States Trotting Association|access-date=2009-02-12}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>

On November 26 at Kalmar Racetrack, Victory Tilly and Johansson won the veteran driver's 1000th victory in the ''rikstoto'', a weekly series of races in Sweden. Reaching the milestone together with a horse that close to his heart was "almost too much", as Johansson put it.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=145&a=493785&rss=1399|title=Stig H tog 1.000:e segern|last=Berg|first=Leif|date=2005-11-26|work=[Dagens Nyheter](/source/Dagens_Nyheter)|publisher=Dagens Nyheter|language=sv|access-date=2009-02-12}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

In Victory Tilly's second last competitive year, the gelding earned another US$57,165 in seven races, of which four were won.<ref name="Qhurth"/><ref>He won 417,000 Swedish ''Kronor'' (SEK) during this year. In the conversion to USD, the rates of 2006-06-10, the date of his last race, have been used.</ref>

===2006 - 11 years old===
Victory Tilly's final year on the track started with a couple of smaller domestic races. Johansson then took the gelding to the Forus Racetrack to compete in the major Norwegian event Forus Open.<ref name="Qhurth"/> Together with new driver Erik Adielsson (Johansson had quit driving in the end of 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=13362|title=Stig Johansson quits driving|last=Bonsdorf|first=Karsten|date=2005-12-28|work=ustrotting.com|publisher=United States Trotting Association|access-date=2009-02-12}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>), the star won in a comfortable way after favourite Steinlager went off-stride. Johansson afterwards admitted himself tempted to take part in Elitloppet once more.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=15142|title=Victory Tilly back at the top of his game|last=Bonsdorf|first=Karsten|date=2006-05-01|work=ustrotting.com|publisher=United States Trotting Association|access-date=2009-02-12}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> Four weeks later, Victory Tilly raced in the big one-mile race. However, Adielsson and the gelding had no success in the eliminations, as French [Jag de Bellouet](/source/Jag_de_Bellouet) interfered with them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=15632|title=Jag de Bellouet in a record Elitlopp victory|last=Bonsdorf|first=Karsten|date=2006-05-28|work=ustrotting.com|publisher=United States Trotting Association|access-date=2009-02-12}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>

At Östersund, on June 10, Victory Tilly raced for the last time. Guided by Adielsson, he won the event Jämtlands Stora Pris for the fourth time.<ref name="Qhurth"/> During the summer, he was again injured in a hind leg. In October, the gelding still had not shook off his problem. Stig H. Johansson and the owners decided to call it quits. The decision was made official on October 25.<ref name="VT slutar tävla">{{cite web|url=http://www.svd.se/sportspel/nyheter/artikel_364376.svd|title=Victory Tilly slutar tävla|date=2006-10-25|work=svd.se|publisher=Svenska Dagbladet|language=sv|access-date=2009-02-12}}</ref> On December 30, Victory Tilly was honoured during a ceremony at Solvalla.<ref name="Last dance for VT">{{cite web|url=http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=19416|title=Last dance for Victory Tilly|date=2007-01-02|work=ustrotting.com|publisher=United States Trotting Association|access-date=2009-02-12}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>

During his last year on the tracks, Victory Tilly won three races out of six, which moneywise meant US$201,159 to add to his purse.<ref name="Qhurth"/><ref>He won 1,467,380 Swedish ''Kronor'' (SEK) during this year. In the conversion to USD, the rates of 2006-06-10, the date of his last race, have been used.</ref> At the time of his retirement, Victory Tilly had earned US$5,168,902, which made him the richest Swedish trotter ever.

==Life after racing==
thumbnail|Stig H. Johansson and Victory Tilly in 2003
When Stig H. Johansson in the summer of 2005 turned 60, Stall Kalas gave him Victory Tilly once the horse had retired.<ref name="VT slutar tävla"/> Thus, since retiring, Victory Tilly has spent his days at Johansson's farm Stora Alby outside Stockholm.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=18449|title=Victory Tilly retires with $5.1 million in earnings|last=Bonsdorf|first=Karsten|date=2006-10-25|work=ustrotting.com|publisher=United States Trotting Association|access-date=2009-02-12}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>

In March 2007, Johansson announced that there were plans to build a Victory Tilly museum at Stora Alby, where guests can see, among other things, trophies and blankets, as well as visit Victory Tilly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=20537|title=Victory Tilly museum to be built|date=2007-03-26|work=ustrotting.com|publisher=United States Trotting Association|access-date=2009-02-12}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>

Victory Tilly died at Stora Alby on 7 April 2024, at the age of 29.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-07 |title=World champion Victory Tilly, 29, dies in Sweden – U.S. Trotting News |url=https://ustrottingnews.com/world-champion-victory-tilly-29-dies-in-sweden/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Pedigree==
The paternal half of Victory Tilly's pedigree consists of American horses solely. He was sired by [Quick Pay](/source/Quick_Pay) (1973–2000), an American stallion that was exported to Sweden in 1978.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travsport.se/shestinfo?kommando=visaHerstamning&hestId=136342|title=Travsport.se - Quick Pay - Härstamning|work=travsport.se| publisher=STC|access-date=2009-03-16}}</ref> During his racing career, Quick Pay claimed the [Kentucky Futurity](/source/Kentucky_Futurity) and finished second in the [Yonkers Trot](/source/Yonkers_Trot). In 18 years as a breeding stallion, he sired more than 1,350 foals, 1,117 of which were born in Sweden. Victory Tilly, [Lass Zefyr](/source/Lass_Zefyr) (winner of [Breeders Crown](/source/Breeders_Crown_(Sweden)) and [Momarken Grand Prix](/source/Momarken_Grand_Prix)), [Atas Fighter L.](/source/Atas_Fighter_L.) (winner of [Gran Premio delle Nazioni](/source/Gran_Premio_delle_Nazioni), [Finlandia-Ajo](/source/Finlandia-Ajo), [Prix de France](/source/Prix_de_France) and [International Trot](/source/International_Trot)), [The Onion](/source/The_Onion_(horse)) (winner of [Elitloppet](/source/Elitloppet), [Gran Premio della Lotteria](/source/Gran_Premio_della_Lotteria) and [Åby Stora Pris](/source/%C3%85by_Stora_Pris)), [Pay Nibs](/source/Pay_Nibs) (winner of [Campeonato Europeo](/source/Campeonato_Europeo) and [St. Michel Race](/source/St._Michel_Race)), [Lucky Po](/source/Lucky_Po) (winner of the [Swedish Trotting Criterium](/source/Swedish_Trotting_Criterium) and [Konung Gustaf V:s Pokal](/source/Konung_Gustaf_V%3As_Pokal)), [Born Quick](/source/Born_Quick) (winner of the [Finnish Trotting Criterium](/source/Finnish_Trotting_Criterium), the [Finnish Trotting Derby](/source/Finnish_Trotting_Derby) and Finlandia-Ajo), [Sacrifice](/source/Sacrifice_(horse)) (winner of [Drottning Silvias Pokal](/source/Drottning_Silvias_Pokal)) and [Pay the Bill](/source/Pay_the_Bill_(horse)) (winner of [Stochampionatet](/source/Stochampionatet)) are some of the successful trotters Quick Pay sired. He received the title Swedish Elite Stallion and was himself by [Star's Pride](/source/Star's_Pride) out of [Spry Hanover](/source/Spry_Hanover).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blodbanken.nu/servlet/GetBBData?lang=eng&breed=warm&trotter=quick+pay&type=productionoverview&place=f|title=The Blood Bank - Production overview - Quick Pay|work=Blodbanken.nu|access-date=2009-03-16|archive-date=2011-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724190624/http://www.blodbanken.nu/servlet/GetBBData?lang=eng&breed=warm&trotter=quick+pay&type=productionoverview&place=f|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The dam [Icora Tilly](/source/Icora_Tilly) as well as grand dam [Cikora Tilly](/source/Cikora_Tilly), third dam [Glenna H.](/source/Glenna_H.), and fourth dam [Scotch Dot](/source/Scotch_Dot) are all considered Elite Mares.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldoftrotters.com/eng-art-svenskeelitston.htm|title=Important American Maternal lines in Swedish trotting|last=Dale Brauti|first=Tina|work=worldoftrotters.com|access-date=2009-03-16|archive-date=2008-07-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726184928/http://www.worldoftrotters.com/eng-art-svenskeelitston.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Icora Tilly had some success on the tracks (runner-up in the Swedish Trotting Criterium as well as in [Gran Premio d'Europa](/source/Gran_Premio_d'Europa)) and as a broodmare, she gave birth to SEK-millionaires [Brunton Tilly](/source/Brunton_Tilly), [Super Tilly](/source/Super_Tilly) and [Golden Tilly](/source/Golden_Tilly).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blodbanken.nu/servlet/GetBBData?breed=warm&lang=eng&type=productionoverview&trotter=icora+tilly&place=m|title=The Blood Bank - Production record - Icora Tilly|work=Blodbanken.nu|access-date=2009-03-16|archive-date=2011-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724190631/http://www.blodbanken.nu/servlet/GetBBData?breed=warm&lang=eng&type=productionoverview&trotter=icora+tilly&place=m|url-status=dead}}</ref> The total domination of French horses on Icora Tilly's paternal side, makes Victory Tilly one quarter French, pedigree wise.<ref name="WorldOfTrotters" />

{{Pedigree
|name = Victory Tilly {{flagicon|Sweden}}
|f = Quick Pay {{flagicon|USA}}
|m = Icora Tilly {{flagicon|Sweden}}
|ff = Star's Pride {{flagicon|USA}}
|fm = Spry Hanover {{flagicon|USA}}
|mf = Fakir du Vivier {{flagicon|France}}
|mm = Cikora Tilly {{flagicon|Sweden}}
|fff = Worthy Boy {{flagicon|USA}}
|ffm = Stardrift {{flagicon|USA}}
|fmf = Hoot Mon {{flagicon|USA}}
|fmm = Silken Hanover {{flagicon|USA}}
|mff = Sabi Pas {{flagicon|France}}
|mfm = Ua Uka {{flagicon|France}}
|mmf = King Frances {{flagicon|Sweden}}
|mmm = Glenna H. {{flagicon|USA}}
|ffff = Volomite {{flagicon|USA}}
|fffm = Warwell Worthy {{flagicon|USA}}
|ffmf = Mr Mcelwyn {{flagicon|USA}}
|ffmm = Dillcisco {{flagicon|USA}}
|fmff = Scotland {{flagicon|USA}}
|fmfm = Missey {{flagicon|USA}}
|fmmf = Dean Hanover {{flagicon|USA}}
|fmmm = Scotch Rhythm {{flagicon|USA}}
|mfff = Carioca II {{flagicon|France}}
|mffm = Infante II {{flagicon|France}}
|mfmf = Kerjacques {{flagicon|France}}
|mfmm = Flicka {{flagicon|France}}
|mmff = Scotch Nibs {{flagicon|USA}}
|mmfm = Frances Bulwark {{flagicon|Sweden}}
|mmmf = Trader Horn {{flagicon|USA}}
|mmmm = Scotch Dot {{flagicon|USA}}
|}}
<ref name="WorldOfTrotters" />

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Victory Tilly}}

Category:1995 racehorse births
Category:Swedish standardbred racehorses
Category:Elitlopp winners

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Victory Tilly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_Tilly) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_Tilly?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.