Free Like a Girl euthanized following trailer incident

Mary Rampellini
Jan 13, 2026

Free Like A Girl with jockey Corey Lanerie aboard wins the 2024 Shantel Lanerie Memorial Stakes named in honor of his late wife.   Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

Free Like a Girl, who rose from a $5,500 yearling purchase to the all-time leading earner among Louisiana-breds, recently had to be euthanized due to a severe hind leg injury sustained inside a trailer, according to co-owner Carl Deville.

Free Like a Girl was retired from racing this fall and was scheduled to be bred this year to Into Mischief. She earned $2,565,628 during her career and continues to lead all Louisiana-breds in earnings.

Deville’s daughter, Chasey Deville Pomier, trained Free Like a Girl, guiding her through a career in which she won 21 of 55 starts, including 19 stakes. She also was Grade 1-placed in Arkansas and Kentucky, while facing such rivals as Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna.

In addition to Carl Deville, Free Like a Girl was also owned by Deville Pomier, Gerald Bruno Jr., and Jerry Caroom. The 7-year-old mare by El Deal twice was the Louisiana-bred of the Year, for campaigns in 2022 and 2024.