North American and European champion Ouija Board dies at 21

The globe-trotting Ouija Board, a champion on two continents who went on to be a classic producer, has died in England at age 21. The Oasis Dream mare had resided at her owner and breeder Lord Darby’s Stanley House Stud in Newmarket.

“In our wildest dreams, we never imagined we could breed a horse that would be a global record-breaker and inspire so many people with so many happy memories,” Lord Derby told the Thoroughbred Daily News. “She was simply the best and always had the most wonderful temperament. She loved a hug and a polo mint every time we walked around the stud. We were so lucky to have her in our lives as she brought us so much joy. The fun and the pleasure that she gave us in a four-year journey around the globe will give us happy memories forever.”

Ouija Board, who was trained throughout her career by Ed Dunlop, won 10 of 22 career starts and earned more than $6.3 million over a four-year career that saw her race in England, Ireland, France, the United States, Japan, and Hong Kong. She was honored as the Cartier European Horse of the Year in both 2004 and 2006, and earned divisional Cartier titles and Eclipse Awards in both those years, with a pair of victories in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. She was second in the 2005 edition of that race.

Ouija Board won both the Epsom Oaks and Irish Oaks, and captured the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at the Royal Ascot meeting, among her nine career stakes victories. Her other Group 1 wins came in the Nassau Stakes and the Hong Kong Vase.

As a broodmare, Ouija Board produced five winners from as many starters, led by Epsom Derby and Irish Derby winner Australia. She also is the dam of Group 3 winner Voodoo Prince and stakes winner Frontiersman.