William H. (Bill) Nichols

Thank you Bloodhorse for publishing the article by Jeanie Esajian on the passing of William H. (Bill) Nichols.

As a former Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation (SHF) board member, I, along with Jacqueline Cooper, SHF President Emeritus, and USMC Col. Michael Howard, (ret.), among others, had the pleasure of hosting Mr. and Mrs. Nichols at Ridgewood Ranch in Willits, CA in May 2014. 

The event, attended by State and County dignitaries, community members, and devoted Seabiscuit fans recognized, and celebrated, Seabiscuit’s stud barn listing in the US National Register of Historic Places.

At that event, we presented our fellow board member, Bill with a SHF Lifetime Achievement Award for literary contributions to the legacy of Seabiscuit, as well as contributions made to the Thoroughbred horse breeding industry.  All indications were that he, and his lovely wife Lill, were both touched and proud of the recognition.

Today, Seabiscuit’s legacy and story is alive and well at Ridgewood Ranch where Jacqueline Cooper privately owns and operates the Lil’ Biscuit Breeding Program, specializing in the rare bloodline of Seabiscuit.

Your readers might be interested in knowing Ridgewood Ranch is also home to the Seabiscuit Therapeutic Riding Center, and typically offers guided historic tours and community activities throughout the year.  It is an emotional and very special place to visit particularly when one reflects on the profound and far-reaching positive effect one horse, Seabiscuit, had on millions of people around the world, including our friend, Bill Nichols.

Thank you again for recognizing Bill Nichols and his many contributions to Seabiscuit’s legacy – a story that continues today at Ridgewood Ranch.   —June Donaldson, Dec 2020