08 February 2024 , 11:20
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A country music superstar who died of stomach cancer on Monday will be “watching from above” when two of his racehorses run on Friday.
Toby Keith, 62, sold more than 40 million records, topped the US album chart four times and performed for George W Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
He had continued working since receiving his diagnosis in 2022 and “fought his fight with grace and courage”, according to a statement on the singer’s website announcing his death.
Keith was also an avid horse racing fan who bred and owned a string of racehorses, two of which are due to run at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas on Friday.
Keith's Dream Walkin' Farms won 848 races of more than $18million in earnings.
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He also formed Country Bro Stables with friend Danny Caldwell for whom Wyfire and Bell Dozer will run. Together they have won 39 races of nearly $1 million in prize-money
“He’ll be watching from above, trust me,” Caldwell told DRF.com. “He fought hard and had been a trooper through the whole thing.”
Recalling how they came together, Caldwell added: “We met on the elevator and kept running against each other, and he said, ‘I’m getting tired of getting beat by you.’
“We’ve been friends ever since. He came up with the idea a couple of years ago of claiming some horses together.
“He loved researching the pedigrees and I do my research on claiming. He thought we’d make a good team. He was a resource for me to go to on pedigrees.”
Toby Keith: sold more than 40 millions records (NBC via Getty Images)The pair claimed Wyfire for $10,000 out of his most recent start last month.
“I pray that horse runs good,” Caldwell said. “I think he’s in a good spot. I’m not saying he’s going to win, but he fits the race really well.
“Toby truly knew racing inside and out. He knew how to read a pedigree, knew how to read a Form. It’s a great loss for racing.
“He told me a couple of months ago when we were walking to the paddock, ‘You know, I’ve had a great life, done a lot of things a lot of people haven’t got to do, and my family is set. I’m sure going to miss these horses.”