Preakness winner Deputed Testamony dead at 32

Deputed Testamony, the most recent Maryland-bred to win his home state's most

prestigious event, the Preakness at Pimlico, died Tuesday at Bonita Farm in

Darlington, Maryland. At the time of his death, Deputed Testamony, 32, was the

oldest living winner of a U.S. classic.

"He was 32 and lived a good life," Bonita Farm manager Billy Boniface told

the Baltimore Sun. "Up until a few days ago his health was fine but

grazing him last night, I could tell he was telling me it was time.

"DT wasn't just a horse...he was family."

Deputed Testamony was indeed a Boniface family affair. The son of Traffic Cop

was bred and owned in a partnership that included members of the Boniface family

and Williams Sears. Deputed Testamony was trained by Billy Boniface's father, J.

William.

A track record-setting stakes winner at the Meadowlands at two, Deputed

Testamony enjoyed his greatest success at three when he upset Kentucky Derby

winner Sunny's Halo in the Preakness over a muddy track under jockey Donald

Miller Jr. His other major stakes scores that season were in the Grade 1 Haskell

Invitational and Grade 3 Governor's Cup at Bowie.

Deputed Testamony was retired after making only two starts at four. In his

final career start, he set a Pimlico track record of 1:40 4/5 for 1 1/16 miles

winning the City of Baltimore Handicap. Still a co-holder of that mark, Deputed

Testamony went to stud with a record of 20-11-3-0, $674,329.

Produced by the Prove It mare Proof Requested, Deputed Testamony sired Graded

3 winners Under Oath, Testafly and Gold Fleece.