Deputy Minister's Fee Reduced

Deputy Minister, who rang up $10-million in progeny earnings in both 1997-98, will have a reduction in his 2003 fee, according to syndicate manager Ric Waldman. The 23-year-old son of Vice Regent out of the Bunty's Flight mare Mint Copy will stand for $100,000, compared to $150,000 in 2002. Deputy Minister, who stands at Fred Seitz' Brookdale Farm near Versailles, Ky., has suffered a sizable drop in yearling average from his 2001 figure and ranks No. 62 on this year's leading sire list. Waldman also announced that Deputy Minister's son, 17-year-old Silver Deputy, who also stands at Brookdale, will remain at $40,000.