By Ben Massam
Defrere (Deputy Minister–Sister Dot, by Secretariat), New Jersey's leading sire for seven consecutive years from 2008 to 2014 and a full-brother to 1993 champion juvenile colt Dehere, was euthanized Tuesday at the age of 25 following a paddock accident at Snow Hill Farm in Paris, Kentucky. Defrere was responsible for graded stakes winners Lilah and Sister Fiona, as well as 22 other black-type winners, including MSW and GSP Souris. His all-time leading earner was Le Mars Girl, a nine-time stakes-winner and an earner of $3,883,377 in Japan. Defrere was bred in Kentucky by Due Process Stable and won three of his five lifetime starts.
“He was a beautiful horse and represented the hope that sprung eternal for Due Process Stable when Dehere got hurt and lost his chance to be the Derby favorite,” said John Perrotta, former vice president and general manager of Due Process, who put together a syndicate that brought Defrere to New Jersey in 2003. “Defrere never filled his big brother's giant shoes, but he was good to us as one of the finest stallions to stand in our home state.”
After beginning his stud career at Hill 'n' Dale Farm in Kentucky, Defrere relocated to Joe and Karen Jennings' Walnford Stud near Allentown, NJ.
“He was a great horse to be around,” said Jennings, who personally took care of Defrere in Kentucky in recent years. “When you walk in a barn and look at his empty stall, it breaks your heart. It's kind of like losing a family member when you've had a horse that long.”
Defrere was buried at Snow Hill Farm, where Jennings maintains a string of broodmares.
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