A Race for Education scholarship will be renamed in memory of Olivia M. Saylor, the daughter of prominent horse owner Paul Saylor. The Fleet Indian scholarship, named after the champion filly campaigned by the Saylor family, will be renamed the Olivia M. Saylor. Olivia Saylor died Jan. 1 in a house fire in Charleston, S.C.
The scholarship is presented annually at the Saratoga meet to provide a college education for those who could otherwise not be able to get higher education.
Olivia Saylor, 21, was originally from Atlanta and had attended the College of Charleston. She was credited with naming Ashado, another champion filly raced by the Saylor family in partnership with Starlight Racing..
According to the Charleston Post and Courier, the fire at Saylor’s residence was believed to have started in the kitchen. It was discovered by a neighbor at 4:35 a.m. Jan. 1, according to the newspaper. Two firefighters were also injured while fighting the fire.
Friends who gathered in front of Saylor’s house later Jan. 1 to honor her memory recalled that Olivia Saylor was a friendly person who loved animals. Two of Saylor’s dogs and one cat died in the fire, and one other cat is missing.
"She was a big bundle of joy, and we’re all going to miss her," Chris Edwards told the Post and Courier.
"She was one of those people who, as soon as you met her, it was all or nothing," Nikki Jones said. "She was very open."
"She was one of those people you like immediately," said Jessica Henderson.
In addition to her father, Olivia Saylor is survived by her mother, Corinne, a sister and three brothers.
