GUTHRIE, TX—MAY 29, 2020—Champion Duponte was euthanized due to complications of a severe medical condition and laid to rest today (May 29).

Duponte a 6-year-old son of champion American Runaway was out of the Ivory James mare Havannah Goodtime, an AQHA "Dam of Distinction".

Bred by American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and champion breeder Bobby D. Cox, Duponte was sold at the 2015 TQHA Yearling Sale and originally raced by Kristen Paredes. Cox repurchased part ownership in the horse during his racing career, and then purchased full ownership of the horse earlier this year.

Duponte captured the 2016 $267,700 Harrah’s Entertainment Futurity (G3) in his second career start then won the $1 million Heritage Place Futurity (G1) at Remington Park. He was also second in the Dash For Cash Futurity (G2) at 2.

He was named AQHA Racing's Champion 3-year-old colt in 2017 after a campaign that saw him finish third in the Grade 1 All American Derby and fourth in the Grade 1 Rainbow Derby and Grade 2 Heritage Place Derby. He was also a finalist in the Texas Classic Derby (G1) at Lone Star Park.

He retired with a record of seven wins from 16 starts and earnings of $921,237.

Duponte was the first of the three half-siblings out of Havannah Goodtime to win the Heritage Place Futurity in successive years – Nymeria (by Bigtime Favorite) followed in 2017 and Sunnysyde (by Heza Fast Dash) in 2018.

He began his career at James Ranch in Wayne, Oklahoma and stood at 6666 Ranch this season.

Duponte first-crop sold in the 2020 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale as short-yearlings. Ten off the 11 head offered grossed $182,400 for $16,582 average and a $17,250 median. He will have additional yearlings offered in the upcoming TQHA, Ruidoso and Heritage Place Yearling Sales.

Both his sire champion American Runaway and grandsire champion Ocean Runaway died following their first crops. Duponte was buried at 6666 Ranch near #3 all-time leading sire of money earners Mr Jess Perry.