In a major blow to the Western Australian breeding industry the excellent producing stallion Demerit was euthanized at his new location Rangeview Stud Burekup owned by Robert and Jody Gray early this morning.
He was sadly found with a broken tibia in his paddock.
The recently syndicated son of Lonhro previously stood at the nearby Taunton Vale Stud until the recent passing of stud principal Kent Johnston.
The progeny of Demerit have been performing particularly well of late and whilst currently running at 63.7% winners to runners we have seen the flying filly Agent Pippa blitz a handy field at Rosehill recently at her first start for new trainer Kris Lees, her full brother, Double Digit win his tenth race at Belmont Park last Saturday, plus Danny George and Defiantly also Belmont winners in the current month
The eagerly awaited return of Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes aspirant was expected to further boost the profile of Demerit and it was expected the horse would cover 100 mares during the upcoming stud season at a fee of $6,050.
A Group III winning son of champion sire Lonhro, Demerit was just shy of his 13th birthday.