Prime Defender

Prime Defender
Prime Defender
Sire	Bertolini
Grandsire	Danzig
Dam	Arian Da
Damsire	Superlative
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	30 March 2004[1]
Country	United Kingdom
Colour	Chestnut
Breeder	Christopher J Mason
Owner	Steve Falle, Matt Franklin and James Sumsion
Trainer	Barry Hills
Record	57:8-6-3
Earnings	£270,444
Major wins
	European Free Handicap (2007); Sandy Lane Stakes (2007); Cammidge Trophy (2009); Duke of York Stakes (2010)

Prime Defender (30 March 2004 – 24 July 2012) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse.

Background

Prime Defender was a chestnut horse with a white blaze bred by Christopher J Mason. He was one of the best horses sired by Bertolini a "high class sprinter" who won the July Stakes in 1998.[2] He was trained by Barry Hills in Lambourn and owned by friends Steve Falle, Matt Franklin and James Sumsion.

Racing career

As a three-year-old, Prime Defender won the European Free Handicap at Newmarket Racecourse in April and the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock Park in May. After a long break without a major win he won the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster in March 2009. He recorded his most important victory as a six-year-old in August 2010 when he won the Group Two (Duke of York Stakes).[3] Prime Defender holds the juvenile and overall track record at Wolverhampton.

Stud career

Prime Defender was retired to Hedgeholme Stud in County Durham at the end of the 2011,[4] but after having fertility problems he was returned to training the following year with the Nottinghamshire trainer Michael Appleby. He was being prepared for a return to racing when he died of a heart attack in a training gallop on 24 July 2012.[5]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Prime Defender (GB), chestnut stallion, 2004[1]
Sire Bertolini (USA) 1996	Danzig (USA) 1977	Northern Dancer	Nearctic
		Northern Dancer	Natalma
		Pas de Nom	Admiral's Voyage
		Pas de Nom	Petitioner
	Aquilegia (USA) 1989	Alydar	Raise a Native
		Alydar	Sweet Tooth
		Courtly Dee	Never Bend
		Courtly Dee	Tulle
Dam Arian Da (GB) 1995	Superlative (IRE) 1981	Nebbiolo	Yellow God
		Nebbiolo	Novara
		Clariden	Hook Money
		Clariden	Matterhorn
	Nell of the North (USA) 1977	Canadian Gil	Northern Dancer
		Canadian Gil	Julie Kate
		Sprinkle Power	Balance of Power
		Sprinkle Power	Neila (Family: 4-o)

References

"Prime Defender pedigree". Equineline. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2013-12-28.
"Bertolini – Stud Record". Racing Post.
"Prime Defender wins Group 2 Duke of York Blue Square Stakes at York Racecourse".
"Prime Defender to stand at Hedgeholme Stud". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
Paul Eacott (24 July 2012). "Prime Defender dies on gallops". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.

Prime Defender's record from Racing Post

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[equineline2004-1] "Prime Defender pedigree". Equineline. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2013-12-28.

[2] "Bertolini – Stud Record". Racing Post.

[3] "Prime Defender wins Group 2 Duke of York Blue Square Stakes at York Racecourse".

[4] "Prime Defender to stand at Hedgeholme Stud". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.

[5] Paul Eacott (24 July 2012). "Prime Defender dies on gallops". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.