'We loved having her here' - Grade 1 winner Exotic Wood dies aged 30

Exotic Wood, who captured Grade 1 victories on both coasts in the 1990s, has died at the age of 30.

Retired from broodmare duty since 2016, Exotic Wood had enjoyed her role as babysitter at equine veterinarian Barbara Schmidt and husband Frederick Abblett's Bridlewood Farm near Union, Kentucky. Schmidt said on Wednesday that Exotic Wood had died in December from the infirmities of old age.

"She was great at looking after the younger horses and we loved having her here," said Schmidt. "Just being around a mare like that is a great feeling. It inspires you each day."

Exotic Wood scored her breakthrough Grade 1 win in the 1996 Go for Wand Stakes at Saratoga when she led that mile and an eighth test from gate to wire under Hall of Fame rider Chris McCarron, who would remain the Rahy mare's regular rider.

Two years later they would post back-to-back scores in the Santa Monica Handicap and Santa Maria Handicap at Santa Anita.

Trained by Ron Ellis, the Pam and Marty Wygod runner tracked the early pace of the Santa Maria before displaying a devastating turn-of-foot to win that mile and 16th test by eight lengths over Toda Una Dama.

Beyond those victories, Exotic Wood earned placings in three other top-level events. She kept good company, finishing a close second to eventual Hall of Famer Serena's Song in the 1996 Santa Monica.

As a broodmare, Exotic Wood produced five winners, including stakes winner Key To Power, a son of A.P. Indy.

Schmidt said colic, and surgery that followed, would bring an end to Exotic Wood's broodmare career. But she would enjoy a half-dozen more years in retirement at the farm.

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