Jack Willis jumps on horseback | Photo: Jean Bickley
Clarence H. Willis III, better known as Jack, a longtime rider and aide in East Coast racing, died Monday at the age of 81.
Willis worked for the famous Bostwick family in Aiken, SC before continuing to work for the Phipps family under the guidance of trainer Angel Penna, Sr. in the 1980s. He oversaw all of the power station’s stabilization plants and several plants in Aiken before moving north to help manage Phippses’ race stability on the Belmont and Saratoga tracks. in New York.
Some of the more famous horses Willis has worked with during that time include the many Class I multi-millionaires and GI Breeders’ Cup Dancing Spree (Nijinsky) Champion, Class I Time for a Change (Damascus) and Roselawn Farm / Airdrie Stud Turkey Shooter (Seattle Slew).
In his later years, Willis continued to drive trucks for the Brook Ledge Horse Transport Company before retiring to Florida to sell insurance.
“Jack is a good rider and a friend to all. He is loyal and has a good sense of humour. Jean Bickley, Peter Brant’s racing director, said.
Willis is survived by his wife of 50 years, Miryam, and their two sons, Steve and Jack.
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This story was posted in Top News and tagged Jack Willis, Obituary, Peter Brant, Phipps is stable.
