The late Sherwood Chillingworth, who long served the Thoroughbred industry, primarily as the executive vice president of the Oak Tree Racing Association, is receiving two honors this fall. The California Thoroughbred Foundation will add Chillingworth’s silks to those already displayed on the walls of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Also, Santa Anita has renamed the grade 3 L.A. Woman Stakes as the Chillingworth Stakes.
Oak Tree has generously donated to many equine charities throughout its history, including the Foundation, which has helped fund scholarships and fellowships for veterinary students. Thus, the Foundation is pleased to include the Chillingworth silks in its collection. Chilling-worth was a partner in numerous top runners, including Swing Till Dawn, Yashgan, Forzando, and Valley Victory.
The $100,000 Chillingworth Stakes is scheduled for Sept. 19 for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, at 61⁄2 furlongs. Before the race was known as the L.A. Woman, it was called the Louis R. Rowan, in honor of one of the founders of both the Foundation and Oak Tree, a past president of the CTBA, and a major breeder and owner. The Foundation regularly awards the Louis R. Rowan Fellowship in Equine Studies at the University of California, Davis.