Stampeders 'Marty'gras in TO hotel

Photo: The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Fletcher Armstrong, with the Calgary Grey Cup committee, rides his horse, Marty, in the front foyer of the Royal York hotel Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012 in Toronto. Calgary Stampeders will play the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League Grey Cup Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

The Royal York hotel has opened its doors to Marty the horse.

Calgary Stampeders fans finally got their chance this afternoon to recreate a Grey Cup tradition by marching the 15-year-old dark brown stallion through the lobby of the upscale Toronto hotel.

The Royal York had turned them away earlier in the day, citing safety concerns.

But after the Calgary Grey Cup Committee trotted Marty to other establishments downtown, the Royal York had a change of heart and allowed the horse inside.

Excited fans chanted "Go Stamps go!" as they surrounded Marty. CFL commissioner Marc Cohon also stopped by to see the stunt.

Stamps fans started the tradition in 1948 when they rode a horse through the Royal York lobby during Grey Cup festivities.

The Grey Cup game between the Calgary Stampeders and the Toronto Argonauts is Sunday at Rogers Centre.