Got Koko, a grade I winner for Aase Headley and Paul Leung and a broodmare for Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet operation, died from foaling complications following the delivery of a Bernardini colt March 4. The 10-year-old daughter of Signal Tap was produced from the Northern Baby mare Baby North.
Got Koko scored her biggest win in the 2002 La Brea Stakes (gr. I). The following year, she captured three grade II stakes, including the Lady’s Secret Breeders’ Cup Handicap over defending Horse of the Year Azeri. She placed in that year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff (gr. I) and the Clement L. Hirsch Handicap (gr. II). In her last start, she finished third in the 2004 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I).
Trained by Headley’s husband, Bruce Headley, Got Koko won or placed in a dozen of 15 races and earned $960,946. Bred in Texas by Eileen H. Hartis, she earned three Texas championships, including 2003 Horse of the Year.
Got Koko was bought by Narvick International for Jackson for $1.5 million at the 2004 Keeneland November breeding stock sale from Brereton C. Jones, agent. Her first foal, an A.P. Indy 3-year-old filly named Koko Pop, has not started. Got Koko’s Bernardini colt is at Stonestreet Farm near Lexington.