Wilko (USA)
January 13, 2002 – ?
Awesome Again (CAN) x Native Roots (IRE), by Indian Ridge (IRE)
Family 4-d
January 13, 2002 – ?
Awesome Again (CAN) x Native Roots (IRE), by Indian Ridge (IRE)
Family 4-d
Wilko managed only one stakes win in his life, but he chose an excellent stage for the occasion, springing a 28-1 upset in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (USA-G1). He placed in several other important stakes during his career, but his spotty record and his small size both told against him as a stallion prospect. As might have been expected given the lack of consistent support, he was a stud failure, though in fairness to him, frequent moves probably did not help.
Race record
29 starts, 3 wins, 3 seconds, 10 thirds, US$2,435,136 (includes converted English earnings)
2004:
2005:
2006:
Assessments
Co-highweighted with divisional champion Declan’s Moon at 126 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juvenile males of 2004, 2 pounds above Afleet Alex and Roman Ruler.
As an individual
A chestnut horse, Wilko stood 15.2 hands. He typically stalked the pace in his races but was vulnerable to being closed off and shuffled back.
As a stallion
The Jockey Club credits Wilko with 148 winners (50.3%) and six stakes winners (2.1%) from the 294 named foals he sired while standing in North America. His most notable runner was 2014 Puerto Rican Horse of the Year Don Carlos R.
Notable progeny
Don Carlos R. (PR)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Wilko was bred by Ro Parra, who sold him for US$35,000 as a weanling through the 2002 Keeneland November mixed sale. After being pinhooked through the 2003 Keeneland September yearling sale for US$75,000, he was owned by Susan Roy, who sold a 75 percent interest in the colt to J. Paul Reddam in October 2004. Wilko was trained by Jeremy Noseda at 2 and was ridden to his Breeders’ Cup Juvenile triumph by Frankie Dettori. After the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, he was transferred to the barn of Craig Dollase, who trained him for the rest of his racing career.
acquired by Frank Stronach at the conclusion of his racing career, Wilko entered stud in Florida in 2008 at Stronach’s Adena Springs South, then moved to Adena Springs in Kentucky in 2010 and to Adena Springs North in Ontario, Canada, in 2011. Following the 2012 Northern Hemisphere breeding season, Wilko moved to Highfield Stock Farm in Alberta, Canada. He was later moved back to Adena Springs North for 2015 but in 2017 was exported to Thailand, where he stood at Rattanaporn Farm.
Pedigree notes
Wilko is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to Dr. Cheryl P. (by Talk Is Money), dam of multiple stakes winner Bodhisattva (by Student Council). He is also a half brother to Minted (by Mineshaft), dam of French listed stakes winner Mint Julep.
Wilko is out of the winner Native Roots, whose sire Indian Ridge won the 1989 King’s Stand Stakes (ENG-G2) and two Group 3 races before embarking on a highly successful stud career. Native Roots was produced from stakes-placed Phazania (by 1979 Two Thousand Guineas, ENG-G1, winner Tap on Wood), whose half sister Muffitys (by Thatch) won a listed stakes race as a juvenile in Ireland before becoming the dam of Irish listed stakes winner Welsh Muffin (by Caerleon), the second dam of 1998 Japanese Horse of the Year Taiki Shuttle and 2002 Japanese champion juvenile filly Peace of World, and the third dam of Australian Group 3 winner Wolfe. Phazania is also a half sister to Group 3-placed Trek (by African Sky), dam of Australian listed stakes winner Tembo Tembea (by Sir Tristram), and to Above (by High Top), dam of Indian listed stakes winners Arfa (by Malvado), Ardisia (by Riyahi), and Bold Aristocrat (by Riyahi).
Phazania and her siblings are out of Contrail (by 1967 Sussex Stakes winner Roan Rocket). Produced from Azurine (by 1945 St. Leger Stakes winner Chamossaire), Contrail is a half sister to 1981 English and Irish champion 3-year-old filly Blue Wind (by Lord Gayle) and to multiple Italian stakes winner Tora Tora (by Majority Blue). Contrail is also a half sister to stakes-placed Madelon (by Saint Crespin III), dam of 1985 Prix de la Jonchere (FR-G3) winner Mad Guard (by Home Guard) and second dam of Irish Group 3 winners Inanna and Kings River. In addition, Contrail is a half sister to Azurn (by Klairon), dam of 1983 Nishapur Curragh Stakes (IRE-G3) winner Safe Home) and European stakes winners Nosy Be (by African Sky) and Touch Paper (by Roan Rocket).
Books and media
Footage of Wilko’s win in the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXcwlXAOv-4.
Fun facts
Photo credit
Photo taken by Jessica Morgan at Adena Springs Kentucky in 2010. Used by permission.
Last updated: November 29, 2025
Race record
29 starts, 3 wins, 3 seconds, 10 thirds, US$2,435,136 (includes converted English earnings)
2004:
- Won Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (USA-G1, 8.5FD, LS)
- 2nd Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes (ENG-G2, 7FT, Goodwood)
- 2nd Washington Singer Stakes (ENG-L, 7FT, Newbury)
- 3rd Hollywood Futurity Stakes (USA-G1, 8.5FD, Hollywood)
- 3rd Hackney Empire Royal Lodge Stakes (ENG-G2, 8FT, Ascot)
- 3rd Weatherbys Superlative Stakes (ENG-G3, 7FT, Newmarket)
- 3rd Chesham Stakes (ENG-L, 7FT, Ascot)
2005:
- 3rd Santa Anita Derby (USA-G1, 9FD, Santa Anita)
- 3rd Larkspur Stakes (USA, 6FD, Golden Gate)
2006:
- 2nd Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1, 2000mD, Nad al Sheba)
- 3rd Santa Anita Handicap (USA-G1, 10FD, Santa Anita)
- 3rd San Antonio Handicap (USA-G2, 9FD, Santa Anita)
Assessments
Co-highweighted with divisional champion Declan’s Moon at 126 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juvenile males of 2004, 2 pounds above Afleet Alex and Roman Ruler.
As an individual
A chestnut horse, Wilko stood 15.2 hands. He typically stalked the pace in his races but was vulnerable to being closed off and shuffled back.
As a stallion
The Jockey Club credits Wilko with 148 winners (50.3%) and six stakes winners (2.1%) from the 294 named foals he sired while standing in North America. His most notable runner was 2014 Puerto Rican Horse of the Year Don Carlos R.
Notable progeny
Don Carlos R. (PR)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Wilko was bred by Ro Parra, who sold him for US$35,000 as a weanling through the 2002 Keeneland November mixed sale. After being pinhooked through the 2003 Keeneland September yearling sale for US$75,000, he was owned by Susan Roy, who sold a 75 percent interest in the colt to J. Paul Reddam in October 2004. Wilko was trained by Jeremy Noseda at 2 and was ridden to his Breeders’ Cup Juvenile triumph by Frankie Dettori. After the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, he was transferred to the barn of Craig Dollase, who trained him for the rest of his racing career.
acquired by Frank Stronach at the conclusion of his racing career, Wilko entered stud in Florida in 2008 at Stronach’s Adena Springs South, then moved to Adena Springs in Kentucky in 2010 and to Adena Springs North in Ontario, Canada, in 2011. Following the 2012 Northern Hemisphere breeding season, Wilko moved to Highfield Stock Farm in Alberta, Canada. He was later moved back to Adena Springs North for 2015 but in 2017 was exported to Thailand, where he stood at Rattanaporn Farm.
Pedigree notes
Wilko is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to Dr. Cheryl P. (by Talk Is Money), dam of multiple stakes winner Bodhisattva (by Student Council). He is also a half brother to Minted (by Mineshaft), dam of French listed stakes winner Mint Julep.
Wilko is out of the winner Native Roots, whose sire Indian Ridge won the 1989 King’s Stand Stakes (ENG-G2) and two Group 3 races before embarking on a highly successful stud career. Native Roots was produced from stakes-placed Phazania (by 1979 Two Thousand Guineas, ENG-G1, winner Tap on Wood), whose half sister Muffitys (by Thatch) won a listed stakes race as a juvenile in Ireland before becoming the dam of Irish listed stakes winner Welsh Muffin (by Caerleon), the second dam of 1998 Japanese Horse of the Year Taiki Shuttle and 2002 Japanese champion juvenile filly Peace of World, and the third dam of Australian Group 3 winner Wolfe. Phazania is also a half sister to Group 3-placed Trek (by African Sky), dam of Australian listed stakes winner Tembo Tembea (by Sir Tristram), and to Above (by High Top), dam of Indian listed stakes winners Arfa (by Malvado), Ardisia (by Riyahi), and Bold Aristocrat (by Riyahi).
Phazania and her siblings are out of Contrail (by 1967 Sussex Stakes winner Roan Rocket). Produced from Azurine (by 1945 St. Leger Stakes winner Chamossaire), Contrail is a half sister to 1981 English and Irish champion 3-year-old filly Blue Wind (by Lord Gayle) and to multiple Italian stakes winner Tora Tora (by Majority Blue). Contrail is also a half sister to stakes-placed Madelon (by Saint Crespin III), dam of 1985 Prix de la Jonchere (FR-G3) winner Mad Guard (by Home Guard) and second dam of Irish Group 3 winners Inanna and Kings River. In addition, Contrail is a half sister to Azurn (by Klairon), dam of 1983 Nishapur Curragh Stakes (IRE-G3) winner Safe Home) and European stakes winners Nosy Be (by African Sky) and Touch Paper (by Roan Rocket).
Books and media
Footage of Wilko’s win in the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXcwlXAOv-4.
Fun facts
- Wilko was the first English-trained horse to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and was the third European-trained horse to do so, following Arazi in 1991 and Johannesburg in 2001.
Photo credit
Photo taken by Jessica Morgan at Adena Springs Kentucky in 2010. Used by permission.
Last updated: November 29, 2025