I'll spare the torture of a long post -- but French Deputy was an outstanding talent who only raced six times. He's turned into a killer broodmare sire.
He was trained by Neil Drysdale -- an old Charlie Whittingham asst -- and like Whittingham was said to be, Drysdale was not a very good trainer of 1st time starters or layoffs.
French Deputy won his debut in 1:08 3/5 at 5/1 odds at Santa Anita. It was 11 lengths back to 3rd place in a field of 10. Very well spread for just a 6f sprint.
In just his 4th career start, and off a 6+ month layoff, French Deputy ran a 119 Beyer while winning the '95 Jerome. Highest figure by any 3yo that season.
French Deputy was bought and sent to Japan when his oldest offspring were just 3-years-old.
So, basically, French Deputy only had 3 or 4 crops who raced in America. His best horse was champion, and freak, Left Bank. Unquestionably the best horse Todd Pletcher has ever trained.
French Deputy was champion 1st year and 2nd year sire in Japan - he was by all accounts a huge success as a sire in Japan.
What I was surprised at last night was how well he is doing as a broodmare sire with those 3 or 4 crops he left behind in America.
A lot of very good runners... and they are as precocious as hell.
|