The decision on retiring a Thoroughbred champion is never easy, but one that was reached on June 20 by trainer Mindy Willis regarding 2023 Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) Horse of the Year Sunlit Song.
After 50 starts in which he thrilled racing fans in Texas and Oklahoma, Willis announced that the 10-year-old son of My Golden Song out of the Early Flyer Mare Fly So True, has been retired.
Bred in Texas by Carolyn R. Barnett, Sunlit Song is owned by Barnett and Becky Harding. He began his 10-year-old campaign at Sam Houston Race Park and is currently stabled at Lone Star Park. Sunlit Song ran fourth in the $75,000 Texas Racing Hall of Fame Stakes on June 8. Willis was hopeful that he would make one more start at Lone Star and finish his career at Remington Park, in pursuit of his third title in the Remington Green Stakes.
But her close bond with the handsome gray champion told her something different.
"He is still sound and was training well, but didn't have the look in his eye that I have seen so many times before," she explained. "Carolyn and Becky supported the decision; it was hard for us, but right for the horse."
It has been quite a ride for the intrepid veteran, who has made his mark in Texas Thoroughbred history with a record of 19 wins from 50 starts, 14 seconds, six third-place finishes and earnings of $806,579. He was honored as 2023 TTA Horse of the Year as well as 2021 Champion Older Horse.
Barnett, a fifth-generation Texas breeder owns Sunlit Song's dam, Fly So True, who was named Champion Broodmare by TTA in 2023.
"I'm not a fancy breeder," explained Barnett. "I met with Ken and told him I wanted a good stallion for my mare. He deserves credit for suggesting that I breed to My Golden Song."
Sunlit Song was foaled on April 15, 2015 at the farm of Caroline and Scooter Dodwell in Lone Oak, Texas. He was healthy and spirited from the beginning and certainly did not look like a future champion in his February 17, 2018 debut at Sam Houston Race Park. It was a less than stellar beginning as he ran off while loading into the gate, finishing fifth.
Mindy Willis noticed his antics at Sam Houston when Barnett tabbed her to take over the training duties as Sunlit Song shipped to Lone Star Park.
"I told Carolyn that it was clear the horse had not been schooled," stated Willis. "He thrashed around in the starting gate, dumped his rider and ran off. Plus, he was terrible when we saddled him. Carolyn was so afraid that she wouldn't even enter the paddock! I made her a promise that Sunlit Song would win a race, but he would require a lot of schooling."
Barnett remembered those early races vividly.
"Fly So True had some quirks, so Mindy had her work cut out for her," said Barnett. "Mindy assured me that he would never act that badly again."
Willis' assessment and hours working with Sunlit Song proved to be spot on, as he broke his maiden at Lone Star Park on April 19, 2018 in a six-furlong main track race, shaking clear at the top of the stretch and crossing the wire by five lengths.
His first turf victory came three months later when he showed his affinity for the surface, stalking the early pace and drawing off. Willis knew when she saw his pricked ears, that was the sign he would not be denied. After several on the board turf stakes placings, Sunlit Song won the 2020 Highlander Training Center Assault Stakes, the first of seven stakes victories in his career. He triumphed twice in the Remington Green Stakes at Remington Park, the Richard King Handicap at Sam Houston and Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame run at Retama Park.
Barnett did not hesitate when asked which victory by Sunlit Song she will always remember.
"Definitely his first win in the (2020) Remington Green," she replied. "Brad Cox sent in the favorite (Mr Misunderstood), but Sunlit kept coming!"
Several jockeys including Lindey Wade and David Cabrera have piloted Sunlit Song throughout his career, but for the past three years, respected veteran rider Stewart Elliott has been in the saddle.
"He was a great horse," said Elliott. "You don't get the opportunity to ride such a talented Texas-bred who was so good on the turf. He did well for me and I'm going to miss him."
Elliott commended Willis for doing what was right for Sunlit Song.
"Mindy loves all her horses," added Elliott. "Sunlit Song was very special to her."
Willis, 69, who began her career in 1982, has no plans to slow down. She had an excellent meet earlier this year at Sam Houston Race Park, winning 26 races and is currently ranked sixth in the training standings at Lone Star Park. Willis will have 40 horses at Remington Park when their 2025 Thoroughbred season commences on August 8.
For now, Sunlit Song will enjoy life on Willis' farm in Jones, Oklahoma, a decision approved by both Barnett and Harding.
"The ladies have supported each decision I have made regarding Sunlit Song, which has meant so much to me," said Willis. "I would never bring him back to the racetrack as a pony horse, but that's all I know for now."
Earlier this year, Willis proudly referred to Sunlit Son as a "People's Horse" and he certainly was that and more for so many fans and the team at Sam Houston Race Park.
"From the very first time I watched Sunlit Song run I was an instant fan," said Mike Acton, Sam Houston Race Park's racing secretary. "I'll admit that it was challenging to fill races as he was feared in the Texas-bred ranks for many years and accomplished in open company. I will miss seeing Sunlit Song and hope he finds as much enjoyment in retirement as he did competing on the track."
Bryan Pettigrew, Vice President and General Manager of Texas Racing Operations for PENN Entertainment, announced that the $75,000 Houston Turf Stakes on Texas Preview Day, held annually in February at Sam Houston Race Park, has been renamed in honor of Sunlit Song, who ran in six editions of the mile and one-sixteenth turf feature, will officially run as the $75,000 Sunlit Song Turf, commencing in 2026.
"It is our pleasure to salute this intrepid champion on Texas Preview Day at Sam Houston Race Park," said Pettigrew. "Sunlit Song has been a fan favorite for many years and a true Texas champion. We salute Mindy Willis, Carolyn Barnett and Becky Harding and look forward to running the Sunlit Song Turf next February."
A fitting tribute to a special horse, loved by his connections and racing fans since 2018.
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