Group 1 Winner Defoe Suffers Fatal Injury

Roger Varian has paid tribute to his popular gray Defoe who suffered a fatal injury on the gallops the morning of July 29.

The Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum-owned 6-year-old won nine of his 22 starts, including the Investec Coronation Cup (G1) and Hardwicke Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot last year.

A post on Roger Varian's website read: "We regret to announce that group 1 winner Defoe suffered a fatal injury on the gallops this morning. It's probably not a safe assumption that only those who were closely connected with the horse will be heartbroken that he has left this life.

"Although not large in stature Defoe had the heart of a lion and his adoring fans from around the world will no doubt join us in mourning his loss and celebrating his achievements.

"We can't help but have favorites and Defoe was everyone's favorite horse; from his groom Mark, head girl Dee, regular rider Korrie, and to Roger and Hanako's children—he was a star and such was his popularity with them that they had a rocking horse made in his image. A lasting memory for a great horse."

Speaking at Goodwood, where Obaid won the 12-furlong handicap with the Richard Hannon-trained Mambo Nights, Varian reflected on Defoe's fine career and told of his children's affection towards the gray.

"He was a lovely horse who had been around for a few years. He climbed the ranks from humble beginnings to a group 1 like the Coronation Cup," Varian said. "He's been a star and was one of those nice guys.

"My thoughts are with Sheikh Mohammed Obaid. It's a big loss to him and all the staff at home, who have grown very attached to him over the years.

"He was just a pleasure to do anything with. The Coronation Cup would have to be the race that stands out. It's a prestigious race and the only group 1 he won, but we enjoyed many good days with him.

"My children loved him and he was the first one they went to give a carrot to."

Defoe amassed earnings of £809,192 (US$1,046,731) having been brought through the ranks gradually, with a run of four wins as a 3-year-old propelling him into group 1 company.

Although he failed to justify his odds of 6-1 in the 2017 William Hill St. Leger (G1) at Doncaster, finishing 10th of 11 and 29 lengths behind Capri, he became an established performer at the top level over middle distances.

His career peaked in the 2019 Coronation Cup when he beat Kew Gardens by half a length at Epsom, his only win at the top level, but there were other significant career highlights, including success in the Hardwicke Stakes and the 2018 Dunaden Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Newmarket—which he won by 3 3/4 lengths from Red Verdon.

Defoe's final start came at Royal Ascot this year when he finished third, 4 1/4 lengths behind Fanny Logan, in last month's defense of his Hardwicke crown.

It is the second fatality suffered by Varian's stable recently as a week ago Wolferton Stakes winner Mountain Angel also suffered an injury on the gallops.