Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Kip Deville died last weekend after a protracted struggle with laminitis.  “This tears the heart out of me,” IEAH President Michael Iavarone said.  “We kept him alive for so long because he wanted to be alive, and he deserved every chance.  He fought hard every step of the way.”

Kip Deville (7g Kipling – Klondike Kaytie by Encino) suffered an attack of colic last October but his competitive spirit helped him to survive and he turned the corner in January.  The prognosis was promising until his condition deteriorated last week.

Kip Deville first made a splash in Texas for trainer Mike Neatherlin capturing the 2006 Texas Heritage Stakes and Grand Prairie Turf Challenge.  After his sale to IEAH, the battleship grey captured the LR Bryan Station Stakes and G3 Sir Beaufort Stakes for new trainer Rick Dutrow.

Kip Deville went on to become North America’s pre-eminent miler.  He broke through at G1 level in the 2007 Kilroe Mile and then added the Maker’s Mark Mile to his resume.  After a strong second in the G1 Woodbine Mile in Canada, he concluded the year on a high note when defeating an international field in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Monmouth Park.

In 2008, Kip Deville successfully defended his title in the G1 Maker’s Mark Mile and then lined up as the defending champion in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.  He beat everyone but the scintillating Goldikova (Anabaa) at Santa Anita.  

Kip Deville kicked off his 2009 campaign with a front-running decision in the G1 Gulfstream Park Turf Hcp in what turned out to be his last career win.  In two international forays, he was unplaced in the 2008 Hong King Mile and 2009 Dubai Duty Free.

Kip Deville was bred in Oklahoma by Center Hills Farm and brought $20,000 as a yearling in Texas.  He retired with a 30: 12-4-2 record and $3.32 million in earnings.