Deputy Minister, a former Horse of the Year in Canada
and twice North America's leading sire, has died. The 25 year old
son of Vice Regent died of cardiac failure on Friday. The stallion
had been battling a mass in his sinus.
A champion at two in both Canada and the US, he won eight of nine
starts at two including Grade One wins in the Laurel Futurity and
Young America Stakes. The latter race was also won by sire legends
Raise A Native and Storm Cat.
He was named Horse of The Year in Canada following his three year
old campaign. He remained in training at four and won the Gulfstream
Park Sprint Handicap and Tom Fool Handicap.
Retired to Windfields Stud, he was later moved to Brookdale Farm
as a result of his success and popularity. Twice Champion Sire,
in 1997 and 1998, he has sired 81 Stakes Winners to date.
Described as a "handful, tough, masculine horse", Deputy
Minister's stud career began with a bang when represented by Champion
Filly Open Mind. His best filly, the ill-fated, Go For Wand was
born in 1987 and like Open Mind, she captured the Breeders Cup Juvenile
Fillies, before being named Champion two year old Filly.
Further success followed for the stallion with the likes of Dehere,
Salt Lake, French Deputy, Silver Deputy, Clear Mandate, The Prime
Minister and Victory Speech.
His greatest crop was born in 1994. The likes of Touch Gold, Deputy
Commander and arguably his racing son, Awesome Again, helped their
sire win back to back leading sires titles. The following year Keepers
Hill won the Kentucky Oaks, and another daughter, Well Chosen won
the Ashland.
Recently represented by Sapling Stakes winner Evil Minister, Deputy
Minister is a growing influence through both his sons and daughters.
His most consistently successful sons, at stud, have been Silver
Deputy, Dehere and French Deputy. Touch Gold and Awesome Again have
both started with considerable promise.
His daughters have been a revelation in the last few seasons being
represented by the likes of Halfbridled, Minister Eric, Strong Hope,
Sarava, Bahamian Pirate and yesterday's Man O'War winner, Magistretti.
He covered over 70 mares this year and over 60 have been pronounced
in foal. He stood the last season at $100,000. Deputy Minister's
influence looks set to last considerably longer.