The Deputy, working out before this year's Kentucky Derby, has been retired to enter stud next year.
The Deputy, whose victory in this year's Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) went a long way toward him being named the top 3-year-old at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting by the media, has been retired from racing and will enter stud at Margaux Farm near Midway, Ky. Owned by Steve Johnson, Dr. Ira Mersack, and Rick Trontz, Margaux purchased a half-interest in Irish-bred The Deputy from Team Valor (Barry Irwin, president) and Gary Barber. The Deputy, who came up with a filling in a tendon while being prepared for the Dec. 26 Malibu Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita, will stand for $7,500 live foal.The Deputy, who initially raced in England, was bought privately by Team Valor in the fall of 1999 after the colt impressed Irwin with a fast-closing effort at Doncaster in early September. He arrived in the U. S. later that year and was sent to Jenine Sahadi, who conditioned the colt for Team Valor and Barber.The Deputy started his U.S. career with a triumph in the Hill Rise Handicap on Jan. 1, then beat grade I winners High Yield and Captain Steve in the Santa Catalina Stakes (gr. II) 30 days later. He next faced the highly-touted Fusaichi Pegasus in the March 19 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II), and finished three-quarters of a length behind him in a runner-up effort. Three weeks later, he defeated War Chant and Captain Steve in the $1,000,000 Santa Anita Derby. The Deputy started second-choice in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), but failed to fire and finished 14th in what turned out to be his career finale. It was the only time in his career that he did not finish in the top three. He enters stud with four wins from 10 starts and earnings of $817,270.The Deputy, who was bred by John McEnery, is a son of Petardia and traces in male-line to Nasrullah. His dam, Manfath, is by Last Tycoon and is inbred 3 x 5 to Northern Dancer.
