Devall, Breeder of Havnameltdown, Dies at 57

Katherine Devall, breeder of a pair of graded stakes winners, died Sept. 3 in Paintsville, Ky. The former resident of Lexington and Florida was 57. Devall is the breeder of grade 2 winner Havnameltdown, a Florida-bred son of Uncaptured; and grade 3 winner Speed Seeker, a Florida-bred daughter of Heatseeker, co-bred with the Heatseeker Syndicate. In her obituary, her family noted that Devall, "was employed as an accountant and was a highly awarded equestrian for over 30 years until her retirement. She was the winner of countless awards throughout the years. She specialized in breeding, raising babies, and rehabbing horses. Thoroughbreds were her passion." Havnameltdown won the 2023 San Vicente Stakes (G3), won two other graded stakes, placed in the Del Mar Futurity (G1), and ran second in the 2023 Saudi Derby (G3) for owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman. The earner of $708,000 was trained by Bob Baffert. Speed Seeker won the 2014 Ontario Colleen Stakes (G3T) for owners Robert Johnson, Frank Coniglio, Richard Rendina, and Frank Ferrogine. She was trained by Joan Scott. Another stakes winner bred by Devall was Thissmytime, a Florida-bred, grade 2-placed daughter of Carpe Diem. Those left to mourn include daughter Elizabeth B. Cox and her husband Steven of Trenton, Fla., granddaughter Karter Elizabeth Cox, and a host of family and friends. A memorial service for Devall will be announced at a later date. Online condolences, flowers, and gifts are available on salyersvillefuneralhome.com.