Mississippi Horseman Willys Rhodes Sr. Dead

• Email
• Print
• Tweet

Willys Rhodes Sr., a Mississippi breeder/owner/trainer, died April 16 at Bay St. Louis, Miss. A war veteran, he was 84.

Rhodes, a Mississippi trainer of the year, experienced his greatest success with multiple stakes winner Burgled. Campaigned by Rhodes, Burgled won the 1987 Magnolia State Futurity at Jefferson Downs and the Tilt Up Stakes at Birmingham.

"My brother and I trained racehorses with him for years, and most days he was awake at 3 a.m.," Rhodes' son, M.J., told the Biloxi Sun Herald. "Thoroughbred racing was always a family thing."

• Email
• Print
• Tweet