Willow O Wisp, who set a course record when winning the 2005 edition of the Del Mar Derby (G2T), died Oct. 20 in Louisiana, where he spent his retirement. He was 24.
Gillian and Kirk Harris provided a retirement home for gelding Willow O Wisp at Hidden Creek Stables in Folsom, La. He wrapped up his racing career in 2009.
"We are heartbroken but wanted to inform the racing world," the Harrises said in a statement. "Willow was a beautiful alpha gelding that inspired us in many ways during his racing and retirement. We admired him so much that we drove to Lone Star Park too see him, then bought him on a whim to give him a lifetime home…although he wanted to keep racing up to the very end of his life."
In 2005 racing for owner Robert A. Alexander and trainer Vladimir Cerin, Willow O Wisp enjoyed a clear advantage at every point of call under Garrett Gomez and he posted a 1-length win in the Del Mar Derby to close out his 3-year-old season. He set a course record in completing the 1 1/8-mile test in 1:45.85 on firm turf and that mark still stands as the stakes record.
The Misnomer gelding won three other graded stakes in his career: the La Jolla Handicap (G2T) and Cinema Breeders' Cup Handicap (G3T) in 2005 as well as the 2006 Inglewood Handicap (G3T).
The Harrises noted that Willlow O Wisp lived a full life and enjoyed roaming the farm pastures.
