Master Willie

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Master Willie (12 April 1977 – October 2001) was a British racehorse and later a breeding stallion. He was a chestnut with a white blaze and four white socks, bred by William and Robert Barnett and trained by Henry Candy at Kingstone Warren. He was sired by High Line, from the Nassau-winning dam Fair Winter, and was Timeform rated 129.

Racing career
As a two-year-old in 1979, Master Willie ran four times, winning twice, and he finished first in the Acomb Stakes before being disqualified to second place.

Three-year-old season (1980): He won the Easter Stakes at Kempton, finished fourth in the Dante Stakes at York, and came second in the Derby at Epsom as a 22/1 outsider, three-quarters of a length behind Henbit. He then finished fifth in the Irish Derby on very soft ground. In August at York, he won the Benson & Hedges Gold Cup by a half-length from Cairn Rouge. He later finished second in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket.

Four-year-old season (1981): He won the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket by ten lengths. In June he was the 1/2 favourite for the Coronation Cup at Epsom and won easily. In July he won the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, again making all the running. He ran in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and finished fourth behind Shergar. In August he was third in the Benson & Hedges Gold Cup. His final race was the Champion Stakes at Newmarket, where he was unplaced.

Stud career
After racing, Master Willie was sold to Windfields Farm and stood as a breeding stallion in the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany, with mixed results. The sale was valued at about $10 million, and he was seen as an important outcross to Northern Dancer. He returned to the United Kingdom in 1988 and also stood in Germany. He suffered from an arthritic knee in later life and was euthanised in October 2001 at Conduit Farm, Oxfordshire. Candy called him “the most laid-back horse I’ve had.”

His notable progeny included Make A Stand, Chilly Billy, Deputy Governor, Hollywood Dream and Master Speaker.