Roy and Gretchen Jackson and All Inn Stable announced on Tuesday the retirement of millionaire and multiple graded stake winner Willcox Inn to stand at Saratoga Stud in Stillwater. Gretchen Jackson said “we have had many exciting moments in racing, a lot of them were with Willcox Inn. We want to give him the best chance to succeed at stud and feel New York is the right place to be.”
A graded stakes winner or graded-placed each year over four seasons from age two to five, Willcox Inn was trained by Michael Stidham for the Jackson’s Lael Stable and All In Stable. The connections plan to give strong support to Willcox Inn and his progeny.
As a racehorse Willcox Inn was a top class 2-year old. He won his debut at two over eventual Kentucky Derby winner and champion 3-year-old Animal Kingdom. In his second start he finished third in the Grade 1 Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland and in his third and final start he was a closing third the Grade 2 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Churchill Downs. Subsequently weighted at 115 on the 2010 Experimental Handicap, Willcox Inn received the same assignment as Mucho Macho Man.
Racing exclusively in stakes company as a sophomore, Willcox Inn won the first two legs of the Mid-America Triple Crown – the Arlington Classic Stakes at 1 1/16 and the Grade 2 American Derby at 1 3/16 miles on turf. In his attempt to become only the fourth horse in history to win the third leg and join the likes of Buckpasser, he finished a brave fourth in a rain-soaked running of the Grade 1 Secretariat. He came back with a commanding 4 1/2-length victory in the Grade 3 Hawthorne Derby at 1 1/8 miles.
Willcox Inn won his first start at 4, and ran in three Grade 1 stakes that year, taking second in the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile to eventual two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan.
As a five-year-old Willcox Inn finished on the board in six of eight starts, all graded, winning the historic Grade 3 Washington Park Handicap, just 1/5 off the track record. He was second in the Grade 2 Dixie Stakes and Grade 3 Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Handicap and finished third in the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile S. and Grade 3 John B. Connally Turf Cup Stakes.
Willcox Inn retired with a record of six wins, four seconds and four thirds in 22 starts and earnings of $1,015,543. He is currently the second-leading money earner by Harlan’s Holiday behind Shanghai Bobby. He was bred by Dr. John Chandler and raised and sold by Mill Ridge Farm. He comes from one of the key blue hen families in the stud book, nurtured by Chandler for many generations and includes the likes of multiple Grade 1 stakes winners Dynaforce and Cetewayo.
Suzie O’Cain said, “We are thrilled the New York Breeders will get a chance to send their best mares to this talented son of the late Harlan’s Holiday. Willcox Inn was a quality, consistent Graded stakes winner, winning Graded stakes on two surfaces, while starting at ten different tracks nationwide, competing against the very best.”
Standing for $7,500, Willcox Inn will arrive in Saratoga in mid-August and will be available for inspection during the Saratoga race meeting.
For further information, contact Suzie O’Cain (518) 573-2304 or Marette Farrell (859) 312 0364.
