Prime Defender
{{Short description|British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse}}
{{Infobox racehorse
| horsename = Prime Defender
| image_name =
| caption =
| sire = Bertolini
| grandsire = Danzig
| dam = Arian Da
| damsire = Superlative
| sex = Stallion
| 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
| race = European Free Handicap (2007)
Sandy Lane Stakes (2007)
Cammidge Trophy (2009)
Duke of York Stakes (2010)
| awards =
| honours =
| updated=
}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/488572/bertolini|publisher=Racing Post|title=Bertolini – Stud Record}} 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).{{Cite web|url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/horseracing/8163620.prime-defender-wins-group-2-duke-of-york-blue-square-stakes-at-york-racecourse/|title = Prime Defender wins Group 2 Duke of York Blue Square Stakes at York Racecourse}} 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,{{cite web|url=http://bloodstock.racingpost.com/news/bloodstock/prime-defender-to-stand-at-hedgeholme-stud/943810/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304124248/http://bloodstock.racingpost.com/news/bloodstock/prime-defender-to-stand-at-hedgeholme-stud/943810/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-03-04|title=Prime Defender to stand at Hedgeholme Stud|work=Racing Post}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/prime-defender-dies-on-gallops/1078304/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924154757/http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/prime-defender-dies-on-gallops/1078304/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|title=Prime Defender dies on gallops|author=Paul Eacott|date=24 July 2012|work=Racing Post}}
Pedigree
{{Pedigree
|name = Prime Defender (GB), chestnut stallion, 2004
|inf =
|f = Bertolini (USA)
1996
|m = Arian Da (GB)
1995
|ff = Danzig (USA)
1977
|fm = Aquilegia (USA)
1989
|mf = Superlative (IRE)
1981
|mm = Nell of the North (USA)
1977
|fff = Northern Dancer
|ffm = Pas de Nom
|fmf = Alydar
|fmm = Courtly Dee
|mff = Nebbiolo
|mfm = Clariden
|mmf = Canadian Gil
|mmm = Sprinkle Power
|ffff = Nearctic
|fffm = Natalma
|ffmf = Admiral's Voyage
|ffmm = Petitioner
|fmff = Raise a Native
|fmfm = Sweet Tooth
|fmmf = Never Bend
|fmmm = Tulle
|mfff = Yellow God
|mffm = Novara
|mfmf = Hook Money
|mfmm = Matterhorn
|mmff = Northern Dancer
|mmfm = Julie Kate
|mmmf = Balance of Power
|mmmm = Neila (Family: 4-o)
}}
References
{{reflist}}
- Prime Defender's record from Racing Post [https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/650512/prime-defender]
Category:2004 racehorse births
Category:2012 racehorse deaths
Category:Racehorses bred in the United Kingdom