Tougaloo, a four-time Ohio champion, was euthanized June 9 at age 26 because of complications from the infirmities of old age. Owner Cynthia Knight had kept her at Bruce D. Gibbs’ Greenfield Farm near Lexington.
Bred and raced by Knight’s late husband, Landon Knight, Tougaloo was voted 1989 Horse of the Year and champion older female. She also was named state-bred champion older female in 1987-88.
Named for an African American college in Mississippi that Landon Knight contributed funds to, Tougaloo won 11 stakes, including the Best of Ohio Endurance Championship Handicap over males in track-record time of 2:01.20 for 1 1/4 miles. All 11 of her stakes wins came in Ohio. She retired with 13 wins from 33 starts and earnings of $583,030.
Tougaloo (Lot o’ Gold--Bright Reply, by Gleaming) produced eight named foals, only one of which won. Her lone winner, stakes-placed Private Stash, developed into a stakes producer.