Hollywood Wildcat Dies at Age 22

Hollywood Wildcat, who beat defending champion older female Paseana in the 1993 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (gr. I) to clinch champion 3-year-old filly honors, died June 23 at Hal Snowden Jr.’s Roseglade Farm near Wilmore, Ky., because of complications from cancer. Owned by Irving Cowan, Hollywood Wildcat was 22 and in foal to Kitten's Joy   from a Feb. 28 cover.

A homebred for Cowan and his wife, Marjorie, Hollywood Wildcat went into the Distaff off four consecutive wins under Eddie Delahoussaye. She started out winning the Hollywood Oaks (gr. I) and then reeled off scores in the San Clemente Handicap on turf, the Del Mar Invitational Oaks (gr. IIT), and the Lady Secret’s Handicap. Ridden by Delahoussaye in the Distaff, Hollywood Wildcat held on to win by a nose as the 6-5 favorite.

The Distaff proved so inspiring that it was chosen by readers of The Blood-Horse as the "Race of the Year."