FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2008
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association has established a fund to aid trainer Eddie Willis after the tragic barn fire in Caney, Okla. on Jan. 19. The fire killed 43 horses including top stakes-winners Southern Takes All, Jet Black Rebel and Passion Raging On.
Southern Takes All won the Grade 1, $649,400 Heritage Place Futurity last year at Remington Park. That futurity was the richest race contested in Oklahoma in 2007.
Many promising 2-year-olds prepping for the 2008 Oklahoma racing season at Remington Park and other tracks also perished. The fire claimed much of Willis’ tack and racing equipment as well.
Those wishing to contribute can send a check payable to: The Eddie Willis - Barn Raising Benefit, attention of the OQHRA, P.O. Box 2907, Edmond, OK 73083.
Breeding seasons to multiple Remington Park stakes winners and champions Country Chicks Man and Eye Yin You have been donated in order to start the fund. A beginning bid of $4,000 for a breeding to Country Chicks Man has been offered to initiate the auction. Please contact the OQHRA to place a bid for a breeding to either stallion. The highest bid for each stallion as of March 3 will be declared the winning bids.
Willis has been the leading trainer at Remington Park for the past four consecutive American Quarter Horse Seasons, finishing at the top of the standings in 2004-2007.
The 2008 Quarter Horse Season at Remington Park will begin on March 7.
For more information, please contact OQHRA at (405) 216-0440.
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