Born into a Maltese family who emigrated to Canada, Attard has three older brothers who became Thoroughbred trainers.
In 1973 Larry Attard began riding and although hampered by many injuries, his career lasted twenty-five years.
He rode at Ontario's Greenwood, Fort Erie and Woodbine Racetracks.
He won three riding titles at Woodbine and was the leading jockey in Ontario three times.
For his contribution to Thoroughbred horse racing, in 1993 Larry Attard was voted the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award.