Multiple Grade 1 Winner Will's Way Dies at 27

Will's Way, winner of the 1997 Whitney Handicap (G1) and 1996 Travers Stakes (G1), died Dec. 24 at Old Friends at Cabin Creek in Greenfield Center, N.Y., Old Friends announced Dec. 25. The son of Easy Goer was euthanized due to declining health. He was 27.

Will's Way was among the flagship stallions retired to Old Friends, the non-profit Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, Ky. After a few seasons in Kentucky, he was transferred to Cabin Creek, the organization's satellite facility just outside Saratoga Springs, N.Y., where, he was often greeted by his many adoring New York fans.

"We all loved him so much," said JoAnn Pepper, owner and manager of Cabin Creek. "He would take our breath away when he decided to run. I will miss brushing his tail and kissing his star—I'll even miss letting him chew on me," Pepper added, referring to Will's Way's sometimes cantankerous personality. "It was such an honor to care for him."

Campaigned by trainer James Bond for owners Rudlein Stables, Will's Way had a relatively short but spectacular career on the racetrack. After breaking his maiden at Gulfstream Park first time out at age 3 in 1996, he went on to capture the Travers at Saratoga Race Course, prevailing over Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Louis Quatorze and the great Skip Away. 

In 1997 at age 4, Will's Way took the Whitney, again at Saratoga, over Formal Gold, with Skip Away finishing third. The top two finishers each earned extraordinary 126 Beyer Speed Figures.

Will's Way won or placed in 11 of 13 races and retired with earnings of $954,400. He entered stud at Brookdale Farm in Kentucky in 1999, moved to Pin Oak Lane Farm in Pennsylvania in 2005, and was pensioned to Old Friends in 2008. His greatest son, Lion Tamer, won the 2004 Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Bred in Kentucky by Robert Quinichett, Will's Way was out of the Tentam mare Willamae, making him a half brother to Ashalnd Stakes (G1) winner Willa On the Move and Bethany, dam of Whitney and Metropolitan Handicap (G1) winner Tizway.

"He was such an exciting racehorse, and we were so thrilled to have him with us first in Kentucky and then in New York," said Old Friends founder and president Michael Blowen. "Our heart goes out to our friends at Cabin Creek. JoAnn and Will had a very special bond, and we know he will be sorely missed by everyone there."