By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter

                 Foolish Pleasure, a powerful dark reddish-brown stallion that won the Kentucky Derby in 1975 in a late burst of speed to the finish line, was making news again this week in the city near his birthplace – Williston.

            Though the Derby champion died at the age of 22, a Morriston horse farm owner stepped forward Tuesday at the Williston City Council meeting to make an unusual offer regarding the champion racehorse.

            Ben Wessels of Flying W Ranch brought a white statue of a thoroughbred horse adorned with a wreath of flowers around its shoulders and asked if the city would be interested in mounting it in front of Williston City Hall as a monument.

            The council decided to allow the Community Development Agency to make decisions about where to place the monument and what color to paint it. The statue is made of lightweight material.

            The most likely locations would be at City Hall or in Heritage Park nearby.

            “I can envision painting him bronze or in the likeness of Foolish Pleasure. I think a committee should decide that. I shouldn’t decide that. I will make him available. You can put him where you like,” Wessels said, offering to work with the council. “We can do a dedication and celebration next March 23 recognizing your former and current distinguished citizen of Williston. I think he will look great out there.”

            Foolish Pleasure was foaled on March 23, 1972, at Waldemar Farms near Williston.

            He won the Kentucky Derby and finished in second on the final two legs of the Triple Crown, the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

            Wessels said he moved into the Williston area in 2014. He said he didn’t know at the time that his farm’s colors, a red W, were similar to that of the Williston Red Devils. He said he practically lives in Williston and does all his business in town.

            When he first arrived, he got a haircut and noticed a sign across the street at City Hall that Williston, Florida, birthplace of Foolish Pleasure.

             “I didn’t know that. I’ve been in the racing industry for 34 years. I worked as a horse racing judge in the Chicago area, so when I saw that sign in 2015, it made an impression on me. I wanted to do something. This is the new Foolish Pleasure,” Wessels said, unveiling a white horse statue. “I can’t think of a better way to place him back in his home. I think it can be painted.”

            “I started to say he’s the wrong color,” said Council President Debra Jones with a chuckle.

            “He’s kind of naked. He’s not dressed for the occasion,” Wessels responded.

            The statue is made of lightweight material. Wessels and Williston code enforcement officer Wayne Carson were able to pick it up and move it to the front of the commission chambers.

            Planner Laura Jones said Wessels called her on the previous Friday and mentioned placing the horse statue in front of City Hall. She wasn’t sure if that was possible. She said the CRA would be more in charge of Heritage Park, or, she said the horse statue could be placed on the corner right in front of City Hall.

            “I think that’s going to be a CRA decision,” Jones said.

            “I’m just very hopeful we can get going on this and really have a great celebration and get back to things we like to do and that serves the community,” Wessels said drawing loud applause.

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City of Williston Regular Meeting May 4, 2021: Posted Mary 7, 2021