Willis D. Horton

Willis Horton was a longtime owner and breeder in horse racing and had two champions in the 2010s in Will Take Charge and Take Charge Brandi. Champion 3-year-old male Will Take Charge won the Rebel Stakes, Travers Stakes, Pennsylvania Derby, and Clark Handicap en route to his 2013 Eclipse Award. Take Charge Brandi won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, Delta Downs Princess Stakes, and Starlet Stakes in her 2014 season, which culminated in an Eclipse Award for 2-year-old filly.

Will Take Charge went on to win the Oaklawn Handicap and placed in the Whitney and Stephen Foster as an older horse, while Take Charge Brandi eventually sold for $6 million as a broodmare prospect.

As co-owner with trainer Dallas Stewart, Horton won the 2006 Kentucky Oaks with Lemons Forever, and as co-owner with Winchell Throroughbreds, Horton won the 2021 Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap with Silver State. He had successful careers in ranching and homebuilding in addition to his achievements in the Thoroughbred industry.

The Arkansas resident died Oct. 7, 2022 at age 82.