Noted Louisiana Horseman DeFee Dies After Heated Meeting on Purses

Jack DeFee, a prominent national and Louisiana figure in horse racing, died Friday of an apparent heart attack after a heated meeting involving track officials, owners, trainers and jockeys at Louisiana Downs. He was 82.

DeFee collapsed after a meeting at which Pat Pope, racing director at the Bossier City track, announced that a 10% across-the-board purse reduction would go into effect for non-stakes races after Labor Day.

The announcement angered DeFee and members of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Assn. DeFee was president of the HBPA’s Louisiana Division and once served as its national president.