Roger Attfield, 86, a member of both the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame and the United States National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, is retiring from training after a 54-year career, although he plans to remain involved in the sport as an owner, breeder and consultant.The news was announced via press release Mar. 25 by Woodbine Racetrack.Attfield enjoyed much of his success on the Ontario circuit, where he won the Sovereign for Outstanding Canadian Trainer eight times and conditioned six Canadian Horses of the Year and three Canadian Triple Crown winners. He also trained during winters in Florida.“It is with a very heavy heart that I have decided to retire from training,” Attfield said in a prepared statement. “Having hung my first shingle up when only 17, as a rider and trainer of horses, I feel that 69 years later is a pretty good number of innings.“All of my life I have always been a hands-on trainer and now at 86 I can no longer ride out on my pony with sets, and [am] unable to safely inspect them in stalls,” Attfield said. “Both of these things always helped me understand my horses' needs, mentally and physically, to get the very best from them. No longer being able to perform these duties properly, it's time to say 'Hasta la vista!'”After training 2,038 winners in an 11,648-start career that earned $112,119,392 in purses since 1972, Attfield ran only one entrant at Gulfstream Park this winter.That mare, Ready for Shirl (More Than Ready), finished eleventh in the GII Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes.Ready for Shirl is a 5-year-old daughter of Perfect Shirl, Attfield's only Breeders' Cup winner, who was victorious in the 2011 GI Filly and Mare Turf.When Ready for Shirl ran third last Saturday at Fair Grounds in the Tom Benson Memorial Stakes Mar. 21, she was trained by Dallas Stewart. Both Perfect Shirl and Ready for Shirl are homebreds who race for the stable of Charles Fipke, who until recently had been one of Attfield's longstanding clients.“This winter I only brought seven horses to Florida,” Attfield said in his statement. “A month ago, after having a small disagreement over when and where to run them, I decided to send them all to one of his other trainers.“They were all very nice horses,” Attfield said. “I will miss them, but wish only the very best of luck to all. Throughout the years I have trained for so many great owners [to] whom I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.“My intention is to continue owning and breeding, also consulting and buying,” Attfield said. “As a director of our local HBPA, I will also continue to fight for everything that will help our industry.”Born in Newbury, England, Attfield earned a degree in agriculture, specializing in farm management, before beginning his career with horses as a steeplechase rider and as an international show jumper.He moved to Canada in 1970 and took his first training job with Gateway Farms.In 1976, Attfield developed the colt Norcliffe into the first of his eight King's Plate winners and his first Canadian Horse of the Year.According to his Canadian Hall of Fame biography, Attfield's career soared after he took charge of Bud Willmot's powerful stable of Kinghaven Farms in 1985.He won his second Plate in 1987 with Market Control and then earned $1 million bonuses for Kinghaven when With Approval and Izvestia won back-to-back Triple Crowns in 1989 and 1990.Peteski, owned by Earle I. Mack, swept the Canadian Triple Crown races in 1993 for Attfield.In all, Attfield racked up eight Plate wins, tying him for most by a trainer.His other Canadian Horse of the Year champions were Play The King, With Approval, Izvestia, Peteski and Alywow.When Attfield was 60 years old in 1999, he was selected for the Canadian Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.In America, Attfield was inducted into the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame in 2012.In a release from Woodbine on Wednesday, CEO Michael Copeland said, “The impact Roger Attfield made on Woodbine and Canadian racing as a whole is immeasurable. His achievements speak for themselves, but it is the respect he earned from owners, peers, and fans that truly defines his legacy.”Copeland added, “Roger's horsemanship and dedication set a standard that will endure for years to come. He has been a cornerstone of our racing community, and we are proud to have been part of his journey.”The post Attfield Retires from Training at 86; Plans to Remain Active in Sport appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.