George Strait Manager and Owner/Breeder Woolsey Dies

Eugene Ervine "Erv" Woolsey, longtime manager for country music star George Strait, died March 20 at the age of 80. In addition to managing George Strait, Woolsey also managed artists Lee Ann Womack, Dierks Bentley, and Clay Walker, among others. He also was a Thoroughbred owner and breeder, even owning horses in partnership with Strait. "My manager for around 45 years and most importantly my friend for even longer," Strait said in a post on X. "We will miss him so very much and will never forget all the time we had together. Won't ever be the same without him." Woolsey was a constant supporter of racing and was often found in attendance at the Kentucky Derby (G1). Woolsey's biggest thrill in racing came when Super Stock, who he owned in partnership with Keith Asmussen, won the 2021 Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park. The victory gave the Dialed In colt enough points to qualify for the Kentucky Derby. "It's a lifetime dream," Woolsey said in a 2021 interview with the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association a few days before the race. "I'm getting to do it with a great partner, a great trainer, everything is wonderful." Woolsey had been friends with racing's legendary Asmussen family for about three decades. "I sent some horses to (Keith's) training center for rehab," Woolsey said. "After that we ran into each other at sales, we started buying a few horses every year." Woolsey and Asmussen purchased Super Stock for $70,000 out of the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale with the goal of pinhooking. They ended up holding onto the horse due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Super Stock would finish 15th in the Kentucky Derby and would later win the 2021 Ellis Park Derby and Zia Park Derby, earning $1,279,077 in his career. An avid breeder, Woolsey bred to sell, many with partner Ralph Kinder. The ones he felt couldn't be sold for the value they wanted were kept for racing. Two such horses, Jordan's Henny and Lookin for Eight, went on to become grade 3 winners. Jordan's Henny was 12th in the 2017 Kentucky Oaks (G1). His last starter was Call Me Gusto, a 5-year-old Capo Bastone gelding that he owned in partnership with Kinder. The horse finished sixth in a claiming race at Turfway Park March 7. "I love horse racing," Woolsey said. "I love it, I enjoy it. I love the competitiveness of it. I love breeding good horses."