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Fredda Draper Dies After Short Lung Cancer Battle
Fredda Draper received a 2016 Racing Breeder Special Recognition Award from AQHA.

© TRACK Magazine / Mark Herron
Fredda Draper Dies After Short Lung Cancer Battle

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JULY 15 2019—Respected quarter horse owner and breeder Fredda Draper of Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico died on July 13 after a short battle with lung cancer. She was 77.

Draper was married to trainer Carl Draper for 53 years and he trained the horses that she owned. Carl died in December, 2015.

The horse that propelled the Drapers into the highest level of quarter horse racing was 2005 world champion DM Shicago. The gray gelding won the 2004 Grade 1 All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs. He returned the following summer to become the third and latest horse to sweep the derby triple crown at Ruidoso Downs consisting of the Grade 1 Ruidoso Derby, the Grade 1 Rainbow Derby and the Grade 1 All American Derby. He concluded his career with earnings of $1,873,730.

She bred 2016 All American Futurity winner Imperial Eagle; bred and owned Imperial Eagle’s dam, stakes winner Jenuine Joy; bred champion PJ Chick In Black; briefly co-owned All American Derby winner Genuine Strawfly and bred and raced stakes winner Hidden Dragon.

In her own name, without partners, she bred 61 foals with 42 starters who earned $3,898,566.

Fredda was honored with the 2016 Racing Breeder Special Recognition Award from the American Quarter Horse Association.

Plans for a life celebration are pending.