Former world champion Swedish trotter Victory Tilly has passed away at the age of 29.

According to reports from Europe, Victory Tilly passed away on Sunday, April 7 at his trainer/driver Stig Johansson's farm outside of Stockholm, where he had lived in his retirement years.

Bred in Sweden by Stall Tilly Ab and sold to Stall Kalas, the Quick Pay gelding out of the Fakir Du Vivier mare Icora Tilly was a career winner of 70 races from 101 starts.

Victory Tilly started in just two races in North America but made his mark by winning the 2002 Nat Ray (now known as the John Cashman Jr. Memorial Trot) in a world record 1:50.4 at The Meadowlands after finishing fourth in the Breeders Crown.

Twice named Sweden's Horse of the Year in 2000 and 2002, Victory Tilly won numerous prestigious European stakes including the Elitloppet, Svenskt Travderby, Oslo Grand Prix, Copenhagen Cup, Premio delle Nazioni and Gran Premio della Lotteria.

He was retired in 2006 as Sweden's richest trotter with earnings totalling 37.7 million SEK (approximately $4.9 million CAD).

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Victory Tilly.

(Standardbred Canada)