William 'Bill' Robinson Passes

Thank you, Bill, for mentoring me and giving me 25+ years of employment.
I started working for Bill part-time at his small stable in Caledonia when I was 15 years old. He later moved the stable to Ancaster Fairgrounds, where, at that time, I dropped out of school at 16 and started working full time. I have never looked back.
I remember my first and only time training with Bill; he put a helmet on my head (that was too big), told me to tighten up the chin strap, and said, “OK, kid, we are going to train these two together. “
I was driving a horse called “What-A-Booboo,“ and he had a trotter, “Boothill Chrissy“ (I think). He told me to keep the horse on his helmet till halfway down the lane and then to come alongside him to finish the mile, so I did, but my horse was grabbing on so hard I didn’t think I could stop him. Bill yelled at me to run him into the fence but luckily, the horse stopped before hitting the fence (whew!)
I think we went a mile in 2:25 or 2:35; it seemed so fast... Haha!
When we got back to the barn, Bill said, “what did you think of that kid” I told him it was kinda scary. He just laughed and said, “you did OK.“ Later, he told me that my strengths were inside the barn as a groom (LOL!), but that was OK with me.
The rest is history.
Thank you for all that you taught me, for the opportunities
and all the great memories.
We have lost a kind and generous person, a great boss, and a great horseman.
RIP Bill.
Our condolences to the family,

Pam & Peter & Adam

On December 11, 2020, Harness Racing lost a legend. Not only one of the greatest horsemen and trainers in Ontario, but a major contributor to the success of our Ontario Sires Stakes program here in Ontario. From Dream Maker back in the 70's to the great Mach Three in the 2000's, he trained and raced most of the top Stallions that molded our OSS program, making the Ontario Sires Stakes and Ontario Sired yearlings the most envied and sought after progeny in the business.

He endured some harsh criticism throughout the years, and a few witch hunts as well, but none that changed him as a person. One can not dispute the fact that his horses were as healthy and strong racing in December as they had been in the spring of the same year, add to that the success in their stallion careers! You would be hard pressed to name a stallion that Bill Robinson trained & raced who did not follow his racing career with an equally successful career as a stud. No Duds!

I sincerely hope now, that Bill will get the recognition he so rightfully deserves, & that most of us in the industry want to see him receive, induction into the HALL OF FAME, even if it is posthumously!

Rest in Peace Bill.

Following the recommendation of our father, we formed a 20+ year Standardbred racing partnership with Bill. Thanks to him we travelled to racetracks throughout North America and came to love Standardbred Horse racing. We have many wonderful memories including a Triple Crown victory with Western Dreamer and realized the dream of our parents by winning the Confederation Cup with Stout.

Beyond the good times and success we shared with Bill, we always appreciated his good humour and generosity. He always welcomed our friends and especially our children to his farm and the backstretch. He always took time to show them the horses and answer their questions.

The Daly Brothers- Matt, Pat, & Dan

I think Bill was a true gentleman and a very good person. He allowed my brother Don and I to get in the photo of Precious Bunny when he won the Meadowlands Pace even though he did not own the horse. It was the most kind gesture we ever had happen to us. He even suggested that we should stay at the now Marriot hotel there in the swamp. I will never forget how kind and good Bill was. RIP Mr Robinson

Thanks, Mr Robinson for being so kind to me when I worked for you in the early 90's for nine years. I knew Bill as a young girl when my dad stabled with him at the Caledonia fairgrounds. At that time we did not know you were going to be so successful and what a life you had in the harness racing industry. There definitely was never a dull moment - you always had a joke to crack. Your heart was as big as you. I was so proud working for you. I remember getting home from the races late and Bill would be on the track on the conditioner getting it ready for the next day. I was lucky enough to see you in March at hospital and I will always remember our visit.

R.I.P Bill I will miss you!

Bill Robinson was a very kind, likeable, generous guy. Bill always drove Chevy trucks and always had them looking spotless, along with his horse trailers. Back in 1992 there was a new race bike that came on the market called the “Cheetah” - every driver wanted one but nobody could get one because they were sold in the U.S. One day at Greenwood Raceway Bill Robinson pulled in with his truck and trailer with 10 brand new “Cheetah” race bikes that he had bought and paid for himself in the U.S. and let the drivers, including yours truly, have them at his cost. Bill was a great trainer. He did things different than the rest of us. He kept his horses at a farm. Trained them different, warmed them up different, made them comfortable by letting their heads down and hopples out. And when you beat Bill in a stakes race, which I very seldom did, he would be the first guy to shake your hand and congratulate you. You were the best 'Big Guy'. Rest in peace. My sincere condolences to the family.

RIP to this Great man :(

Bill accomplished a great deal and was respected by all in the racing industry. He was a man amongst men. Condolences to the Robinson family.

From Doug MacGregor
To the Robinson family, I’m very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Thanks for the memories. RIP Big Bruiser.

Condolences to the entire Robinson Family. Bill was a better man then he was trainer. Having had horses with Bill for over 35 yrs, there never was a problem. He'd try a horse for a couple of weeks and tell you straight up, good or bad. Harness Racing lost a good man. RIP Old buddy, Morris the cat is there waiting for you, let the BS fly.

With the passing of Bill Robinson yesterday our world lost a great one. My condolences to Katrina, Jenny, Brett and Shawn. What a lot of people may not realize he was even greater at being a friend and just an every day good guy. Rest in Peace Bill, see you along the way.
Your friend, Gerry.

What a great trainer and better man! Your family should be proud of your great accomplishments! Our family did business with the Robinson family for nearly 30 years and during that entire time never so much as had harsh words. In the racing business we have met and seen many fine trainers and wonderful people - but none better than the Robinson family. Bill was perhaps the most misunderstood person in our sport. I am glad to see so many great comments [ Bill would have enjoyed reading them ] Bill, you are finally at peace - ENJOY

Shakespeare said "The evil that men do lives after them. The good is often interred with their bones".
Please let that not be the case with Big Bill. There was a whole lot more good in the man than there was evil.

Amazing man with a heart of gold. Many drivers owe our careers to him. My condolences to the family, R.I.P.

Best there is.... the best there was... the best there ever will be.. We bought the best horse we ever had of him..he was helpful and just a great guy.. it’s always easy to hate a true winner.

Bill Robinson was the most dominant trainer of his era.
A gentle giant who didn’t want to win every race, just every race he was in.
A few years ago when I heard he had become ill, I led the charge to try to get him into the Hall of Fame.
Sadly, I failed. I still believe he deserves to be there.
As a broadcaster, my most memorable TV production of the Little Brown Jug, was in 1993 when Bill Robinson provided most of the drama. Yes, a harness racing TV show with drama, thanks to Big Bill.

I remember the day Bill Robinson called me and asked if I was still looking for a job... I told him I sure was. I’m so glad he called me that day, I loved working for him. He was a great man, I learned a lot from him and he helped me out when I really needed it. He had a heart of gold.
R.I.P Bill Robinson

I only spoke to Bill twice.
Once, to ask him if he would try a struggling horse I had. He said sure he would try.
When I returned a week later, Bill said he tried but could not do anything to help that particular horse.
I asked Bill what I owed him for the week. He said nothing at all since he wasnt able to help. That was 15 years ago, and it's still a nice memory of a great trainer, and an even better man.

My condolences to all of Big Bill's family. Amazing trainer who was ahead of his time. And even a better person.

My condolences to the Robinson family. RIP Bill.

I remember as a kid going by his farm and being amazed. I knew one day I had to see what it's like to be the best ever. I was lucky enough to spend 7 years stabled there and what a lot of people don't know is that he is not only the best of all time period, he also was the best person I ever met. It was clear to me that operating and training a farm of good horses was a lot of work but nobody talks about his huge heart his desire to be the best. Many times getting back late from racing, at 1am sometimes, he would be on the track. He loved his track. And when I got few hours sleep and returned he was still on there. After, he would walk by and say "Mehlenbacher don't tell anyone my secret, let them think I'm whatever," he said "that track is the secret" and I remember slowly my horses got better and better. He would help anyone with anything. I just wanted to say he was always the most determined and smartest trainer ever and I learned more from him then everyone put together. People are right, he shouldn't be in regular hall of fame. They need to make a super hall of fame for him. Grapes said once in hockey there are players, stars, superstars, and then there is Bobby Orr. Well RIP William Robinson. He was just that good. I've seen it all, and he was all horsemanship and brains. Going to miss u my friend.